Compare travel insurance for Asia

Do I need travel insurance for Asia?

Travel insurance for Asia can protect you from theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and delays.

Above all, if you’re travelling in the more remote parts of Asia, it is essential to have medical coverage.

This is not necessarily because you’re more likely to get ill or have an accident, it’s more about how far away you are if something happens. Healthcare systems can and do vary dramatically from country to country in this part of the world.

Customers with pre-existing medical conditions

If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive.

Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.

When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.

If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.

How much is travel insurance for Asia?

You’ll need worldwide travel insurance or worldwide travel insurance excluding the USA to visit Asia, which can typically be more expensive than a standard travel insurance policy.

This is because medical costs outside Europe may be higher and there’s greater distance involved if repatriation is needed.

This is a truly massive continent, comprising some of the most populous nations on earth. It stretches from Israel and Turkey in the east to Japan and Indonesia in the west – and how much you’ll pay may depend on which of the many Asian countries you visit.

The price will also depend on the level of cover you want and any activities you’re planning on, whether its adrenaline-fuelled adventures like diving or rock climbing, or simply soaking up the vibes from a sandy beach.

Any pre-existing medical conditions could also affect the cost of your premium.

If you’re visiting multiple countries on a long trip, backpacker insurance might be more suitable.

Whatever policy you choose, it’s always good to check what activities will be covered and if you’ll need to add extra cover for the things you want to do.

What will Asia travel insurance cover?

For your travel insurance to be valid, the place you’re travelling to must not be considered a high-risk destination where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel or all travel.

This applies to a number of Asian countries but can change at any time, so you should always check the latest FCDO advice before you travel and while you’re away.

But those are small areas in a vast expanse. There are plenty of places to travel in Asia where concerns are no different to the UK and Europe. A travel insurance policy to these places will typically include:

• Medical care – this can cover your emergency treatment and hospital bills if you fall ill or have an accident. It can also cover you for repatriation if you need to get back to the UK for treatment – a very pricey activity to have to deal with otherwise.

• Flight cancellations and missed connections. Cover for a missed connection isn't included in all policies, so if you want to be covered for this, make sure you check the policy T&Cs.

• Damaged, lost or stolen luggage – make sure to factor in expensive phones, designer clothes or valuable jewellery when you choose the level of baggage cover in your insurance policy. Don’t forget to check the single-item limit – the maximum your insurance provider will pay out for one item. And maybe leave the diamond tiara at home this time.

• Holiday cancellation – pay close attention to this bit as different providers will cover different reasons for cancellation. Also look at how much cover you need. If you had to cancel, do you know how much money you would lose? Don’t forget to count flights, accommodation, car hire and pre-booked excursions and activities. Aim to have at least that much cancellation cover included in your policy.

And if you’re doing any cross-border trips, you’ll need cover in all the places you intend to visit, however briefly. Even if you’re in transit, you might still need emergency treatment in another country.

What’s excluded from Asia travel insurance?

Before you commit to a travel insurance policy for your trip to Asia, be aware of typical exclusions. Your policy may not cover:

• Pre-existing medical conditions that you don’t declare when you apply. You need to tell your insurance provider about any pre-existing medical conditions to avoid invalidating your policy in the event of a claim. Once declared, the provider will tell you if they’ll cover this condition or if there will be an exclusion. Only you can then decide if it’s then worth having or not.

• Drugs and alcohol – if you’re injured or involved in an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol you probably won’t be covered for medical treatment.

• Extreme sports – you might need to take out extra insurance if you’re planning on doing any extreme sports on your trip to Asia. Some providers even exclude playing golf on a standard policy, which seems a bit of a stretch so don’t automatically assume you’re covered.

• Terrorism, natural disasters and civil unrest – some providers may offer emergency medical costs if you’re caught up in a terror attack, but not all do. Check your policy carefully and talk to your provider so you know exactly what events are excluded.

• Natural disasters – it’s worth thinking about whether your policy covers you for natural disaster or catastrophic events, not least because large parts of Asia sit on the famously volatile Ring of Fire.

What should I think about when I compare travel insurance for Asia?

Scuba diving, elephant trekking, shark diving and heli-skiing – the list of activities available across the different terrains in Asia is breath-taking.

Many won’t be covered under a standard policy, so make sure you have the cover you need before you travel. Some can be added on to your policy for an extra cost, or you might prefer to find a specialist policy that covers you for what you want to do.

Find out more about travel insurance for:

• Adventure sports

• Extreme sports

• Water sports

Do I need a visa for visiting Asia?

Some countries do require visas for UK travellers, others don’t. Check the latest foreign travel advice to see whether you’ll need a visa or not.

As a guide, bear in mind that:

• For India or Pakistan, you’ll need a visa. You can find further information about how to apply on the Indian High Commission website or the High Commission for Pakistan.

• UK nationals can visit Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia (including Bali), the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand without a visa for up to a set number of days – typically either 30 or 90 days. If you intend to stay for longer then you’ll need a visa.

• Vietnam has 15-day visa-free entry for UK nationals and e-visas and embassy-issued visas for longer stays.

• The Maldives issue tourists with a 30-day visa on arrival.

Heading to East Asia?

• For China, British nationals normally need a visa to enter the mainland, but not Hong Kong or Macao. Find out more from the Chinese Embassy.

• For Japan, British nationals can enter for up to 90 days without a visa but may need to provide evidence of a return or onward ticket.

Most countries also insist that your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you enter, so if you need it renewed, make sure you do it in plenty of time.

Any other tips for my trip to Asia?

Here are a few more useful things to know about Asia to help you on your way. These are general points to cover a huge area encompassing myriad cultures and contexts though, and there will be different expectations in different countries.

• Tipping – tips don’t tend to be expected at hostels, backpacker accommodation, street food stalls, or local eateries. But luxury hotels and restaurants tend to expect a 10%+ tip. For taxi drivers, you can just round up the bill. One exception may be China, where tipping isn’t always expected outside touristy places.

• Service charges – a 10% charge will often be added to your hotel and restaurant bills, which usually goes to the owner rather than the staff.

• Weather – do your research and avoid certain areas of Asia during the monsoon season. Don’t assume it will be hot – if you are going into the hills or even a heavily air-conditioned building you might find it chilly.

• Agree prices before journeys – when travelling in tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis and tricycles, discuss the cost upfront to avoid being expected to pay huge amounts at the end.

• Local customs – make sure you fully understand local rules, for example drinking alcohol in public places is banned in Brunei and you may be required to cover your head and arms or remove your shoes when visiting some places of worship. If you’re not sure, maybe step back and observe rather than bluffing your way through. Nobody wants to cause an international incident.

• Vaccines – you might need the yellow fever vaccine for some Asian countries. And malaria is prevalent in some parts of Asia so you’ll need anti-malaria medication for some destinations.

• Medication – if you’re travelling to Japan, the use or possession of some common prescription and over-the-counter medicines are banned under the country’s strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law.

Where can I compare travel insurance quotes?

Whether you want to cover your family for a year or just for a single trip to Asia, we can help make choosing travel insurance simple. Compare travel cover today and get a quote in minutes.