Travel Insurance for Chile
Travel advice for Americans visiting Chile
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel protection plans for your trip to Chile. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Chile like white water rafting, surfing and skiing.
- Plans for Americans include protection for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and lost luggage.
From the stark terrain of the Atacama Desert to the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia, Chile is home to some of South America’s most dramatic scenery – all within easy reach of the US. Running along the continent’s western edge, Chile is framed by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with landscapes shifting between mountain ranges, valleys and coastline. Santiago and Valparaíso bring culture, color and energy, while the Casablanca and Colchagua valleys offer a slower pace. Come for the scenery, stay for the rhythm of daily life – and a calendar of festivals that bring people together. Just don’t forget to consider travel insurance before you leave.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel protection coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Chile. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
|
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Chile
Getting active outdoors is an essential part of the Chile experience. In the north, the Atacama Desert is the place to go for sandboarding, stargazing under some of the clearest skies on earth and exploring salt flats and geysers at high altitude. Further south, Patagonia is all about scale – think multi-day treks in Torres del Paine, glacier hikes and kayaking past icebergs. You can also ride horses across wide-open plains or take on challenging climbs in the Andes. Along the coast, world-class waves roll into places like Pichilemu, while offshore waters are ideal for diving. Skiing in Chile is also world-class.
Coverage for activities in Chile
Common insurance considerations for Chile
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get sick or have an accident that sends you to the hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel protection before you left home. Fell off a horse in Patagonia? Wiped out on a mountain bike descent and ended up in the hospital? Ate ceviche past its prime and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away. All World Nomads plans include non-insurance services like portable health records. This enables medical staff to access your records 24/7. Having that information available may be critical if you experience an unexpected medical emergency while travelling.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel protection plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase the Cancel For Any Reason benefit within 7 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight) and remember to cancel no later than two days before your departure date. Additional cost, terms and conditions apply; not available to New York residents.
Emergency evacuation
If you get sick or injured and your condition is acute, severe, or life threatening and you’re far from suitable medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage may help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the maximum benefit amount, to get you to the closest suitable medical facility or to your primary residence for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get injured or sick while you're traveling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips we recommend for traveling to Chile
- Distances can be surprisingly long, so plan driving routes carefully
- Pack for changing conditions, especially if you’re visiting places like Patagonia or the Atacama where temperatures can vary widely
- Take care at altitude in northern Chile and allow time to acclimatize if visiting high-elevation areas
- Watch out for petty crime – pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles happens in cities and tourist areas.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Chile. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
-
Do Americans need a visa to visit Chile?
Americans don’t need a visa for short stays in Chile (typically up to 90 days), but you may need to show proof of onward travel. Entry requirements can change, so check before you go.
-
Is Chile safe for tourists?
Chile is considered one of the safer countries* in South America, but petty theft can occur, particularly in cities like Santiago and Valparaíso. Stay aware of your surroundings and follow US Department of State travel advisories. You may want to consider travel insurance* for those unexpected situations that arise.
-
What is the best time to visit Chile?
Chile’s seasons vary by region. Summer (December to February) is ideal for Patagonia, while spring and autumn are great for central regions. The Atacama Desert can be visited year-round.
-
Can I drink tap water in Chile?
Tap water is generally safe to drink in cities, but in remote areas it’s best to check locally or stick to bottled water.
-
What currency is used in Chile?
Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP). Credit cards are widely accepted in cities, but it’s useful to carry cash for smaller purchases and rural areas.
-
What is the best way to get around Chile?
Domestic flights are the quickest way to cover long distances, while buses are reliable and affordable. Car hire is useful for exploring certain regions at your own pace.
-
Do I need travel insurance for Chile?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Benefits for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness. All World Nomads plans for US residents include insurance benefits and additional non-insurance services like access to pre-trip medical support. A telehealth consultation can help you with a customized medical plan based on your destination. This may help you prepare for health concerns before you go and the best ways to avoid travel-related illnesses.
-
What if my bags are lost or stolen?
Travel insurance benefits for lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or delayed bags are included in all World Nomads plans. Also, our non-insurance service included in every plan assists with tracking and delivering missing checked bags.
-
How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7: https://worldnomads-us.eclaims.csaclaims.com. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 844-207-1930 and we can assist you with your claim.
-
What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance partners at Generali Global Assistance are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 (877) 289-0968 (toll-free from the Continental US); or
Phone: +1 (954) 334-8143 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
-
What if my passport gets stolen in Chile?
World Nomads travel protection plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
- Passports
- Driver’s licenses
- Birth certificates
- Travel visas
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the plan towards the replacement of your passport or one or more other travel documents mentioned above.
Need inspiration for your Chilean travels?
Not sure where your next adventure should take you? Take a look at these travel and safety ideas and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Highlights of Southern Chile: An Adventurer’s Guide
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,000
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Pre-Departure Telehealth Services
- Portable Health Records
- Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.