Whether you’re chasing waterfalls or Buddhist temples, learn how travel insurance can benefit Americans traveling to Laos.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 1 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 1 2024, please see below.
Also known as the “Land of a Million Elephants,” Laos offers an intriguing blend of Buddhist culture, French colonial history, Khmer ruins, scenic landscapes, and laidback villages. Whether you want to go caving in Tham Nam, learn from remote mountain tribes like the Hmong and the Karen, or visit Buddhist monasteries like Pha That Luang, Laos has plenty of highlights that rival its more well-visited neighbors. You can chase islands, caves, and waterfalls in Southern Laos or head to Northern Laos for hiking, cultural, and cycling adventures.
In Vientiane, you can kick back at a trendy café, admire colonial era architecture, step back in time at historic Buddhist temples, and sample Laotian specialties like Khao Piak Sen (rice noodle soup). Beyond its buzzy cities, Laos is also a wonder for nature seekers. You can refresh in waterfalls, look for river dolphins, or take a boat ride in Nong Kiau.
While a trip to Laos is an incredible experience, there are some things to be aware of when visiting from the US, including lost luggage and motorcycle accidents. We’ve learned quite a bit in our travels and encourage you to explore travel insurance* plans for Laos.
International travel can bring unexpected surprises, like coming across a mountain covered in ancient stone jars in Xiangkhoang Plateau. However, some surprises are not as exciting. Nobody wants to think about delayed flights or lost bags, but these things can happen unexpectedly.
If you get into a motorcycle accident while biking around Luang Prabang, you may need to see a doctor. You may then wish that you had travel insurance for Laos.
World Nomads has four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance plan for your needs.
From the meandering Mekong River to the rolling mountains, Laos is plentiful with adventures. Seventy percent of the country’s geographic area is made up of mountains, highlands, and plateaus, after all. While you may not be able to go tubing in Vang Vieng anymore, the area remains a hub for rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Laos and includes things like climbing Phou Bia—the highest mountain in Laos--, rafting on the Lao River, and canyoning in Nam Sa Nam.
When you get a quote for your travel insurance for Laos, it’s helpful to have a general itinerary in mind. Different plans cover different activities. Knowing your activities in advance will help you choose the best insurance for your trip.
You can volunteer with ethical wildlife non-profits like Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife or motorbike the Bolaven Plateau Loop—home to waterfalls and coffee plantations—with any plan, including the Standard Plan. If taking a hot air balloon ride over the cliffs of Vang Vieng is on your bucket list, though, you’ll need to invest in the Explorer or the Epic Plan.
Motorbiking is common in Laos, and in some instances, it could be covered by your travel insurance plan - but it’s not guaranteed. Just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike there doesn’t mean you should, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.
We get a lot of accident claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Laos because it’s cheap and easy to rent. However, safety is not always top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience are. The rules of the road can be very different from back home in the United States. Motorbike accidents are quite common and it’s very important to know that if you don’t have the proper license for motorbiking, your travel insurance for Laos won’t cover you.
If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to look at getting the proper license for motorbiking in Laos before you leave the US. You can get specific license requirements for Laos on the U.S. government’s website and will want to review your plan wording carefully when you get a quote for travel insurance for Laos. We also recommend that you read up on how to safely motorbike in Laos.
Before you fly to Laos, we recommend that you make an appointment with Runway Health-- an online travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. The telehealth service offers affordable online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain necessary vaccinations or medications, such as medication to help with traveler’s diarrhea or malaria prevention.
We also recommend you pack a strong mosquito repellent and sunscreen to keep you protected on your travels. You should avoid drinking tap water and instead stick with boiled or bottled water. Trust us, food poisoning is a sure way to throw off your travel plans!
Medical care in Laos looks a bit different than what you’re used to in the US. If you get injured while climbing Pha Daeng, you may need to seek medical attention. In the event of a medical emergency while traveling in Laos, you can call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your local medical team if there are language barriers.
If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Laos may cover the costs to get you there.
What happens if you land in Vientiane to find that your bags haven’t arrived? It’s no fun to be waiting at the luggage carousel wondering if your bag is on its way. If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If your bag is delayed for at least 12 hours, you could still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
While Laos is generally a safe place, petty theft and pickpockets can happen in crowded tourist spots or on public transportation. Like anywhere you travel, it’s smart to keep your belongings where you can see them and store your valuables in a safe at your accommodation. If anything does happen, make sure you file a police report. You’ll need that if you have to make a claim and get reimbursed for stolen goods with your travel insurance for Laos.
Even if you’ve booked all your hotels and excursions for Laos, unexcepted things can happen that might disrupt your trip. When looking for travel insurance plans for Laos, make sure to get one that covers trip cancelation, delays, and interruptions.
What happens if you get sick a few days before leaving for Laos? If your doctor tells you not to travel at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. A travel insurance plan for Laos that includes cancelation coverage could reimburse you for those non-refundable or transferable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.
If you’re already on your trip, and something happens to interrupt your vacation, World Nomads travel insurance may compensate you for covered reasons. For example, if your travel companion gets in a motorcycle accident and needs to stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours, your expenses (up to plan limits) could be covered, too. Make sure to keep all documentation and receipts for things you paid for in advance- you’ll need those if you make a claim.
Before you head out on your epic adventure, we encourage you to check out the US government’s travel warnings for Laos. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.
If you purchase travel insurance for Laos, it is a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Laotians have a reputation for being warm and welcoming towards tourists. Beyond a warm welcome, you have stunning scenery and rich culture to look forward to. To help prep for your trip, you may want to read up on the things to know before you visit Laos. Brush up on some local phrases and embrace the spirit of slow travel to help you get off the beaten path in Laos and enjoy this surprising country.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.