Cuba Travel Insurance: The 5 Ways to Get It in 2023

No one wants to think about needing travel insurance for Cuba. It’s true, travel insurance may seem like an added expense and an extra worry, especially considering that Cuba is a very safe country to visit.

However, travel medical insurance is an entry requirement imposed by the Cuban government. So, you must present proof of travel health insurance upon arrival on the island. 

Besides, unexpected events, such as illness, injury, or accident, can occur during your trip to the island. Think about it for a minute. For example, the most common health risks for tourists in Cuba are mosquito-borne illnesses, food poisoning and unsafe drinking water, sun exposure at the beach, Covid-19, and traffic accidents (especially if renting a car). 

This article will provide detailed information about getting travel insurance for Cuba. We also review the best options to purchase Cuba travel insurance and the caveat to consider for US and Canadian travelers. 

Our goal is to help ensure your Cuban adventure is memorable and safe.

Do You Need Travel Insurance to Go to Cuba?

Since May 1, 2010, the Cuban government has required all visitors to Cuba to bring proof of travel insurance covering medical expenses on the island. Specifically, your health insurance policy must cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation. 

Another fact you must know about Cuba is that the authorities require travelers to settle any outstanding medical bills before leaving the country. If you have unpaid medical expenses, you must stay in the country until your debts are paid.

Types of Cuba Travel Insurance

There are two broad travel insurance policies for Cuba: travel health insurance, and trip or travel protection. 

Many travel insurance companies bundle these policies into “travel insurance packages” or a “comprehensive travel insurance plan”. However, only the medical portion of your insurance policy is required to visit Cuba. 

Most insurance policies will cover Covid-19 testing, treatment, and protocols that are part of the Cuba travel restrictions amid the pandemic. 

Please, review the details of your travel insurance policy before purchasing to understand what is covered and what is not.

Required: Travel Health Insurance

Travel health insurance for Cuba covers medical and health-related expenses that may occur during your trip, including:

• Emergency medical treatment: the cost of medical treatment for unexpected illnesses or injuries on the island.
• Hospitalization: the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, and other medical procedures in Cuba.
• Emergency evacuation: the cost of transporting you to a hospital or back home in a medical emergency.
• Repatriation of remains: the cost of returning your body to your home country in the event of death.
• Prescription medication: the cost of necessary prescription medications.
• Dental treatment: the cost of emergency dental treatment.

Remember that some policies may have exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions or adventure sports. 

Optional: Trip Protection Coverage

Trip protection insurance usually covers non-medical expenses such as:

• Trip cancellation or interruption: the cost of trip cancellation or interruption due to unexpected events such as illness, natural disasters, or the death of a loved one.
• Trip delay: the cost of unexpected expenses, such as meals and lodging, in the event of a travel delay.
• Delayed or lost baggage: the cost of lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal items.

The coverage you need will depend on your specific travel needs and risks. However, the Cuban government does not require trip protection insurance. 

Before getting into the options to purchase Cuba travel insurance, let’s review the basics of getting travel insurance for Cuba if you are traveling from the US or Canada. 

Travel Insurance for Cuba from the US

Due to the US embargo, the options for getting travel insurance for US citizens traveling to Cuba are limited. They include:

• Non-US travel insurance companies
• Airlines (included in the flight ticket in most cases)
• Asistur

Further below, we will get into the details of each option.

Travel Insurance for Cuba from Canada

Canadians traveling to Cuba can purchase Cuba travel insurance from a wider variety of sources, including: 

• Non-US travel insurance companies
• Travel agencies
• Airlines
• Non-US credit cards
• Asistur

Consider that Canadian provincial health insurance plans won’t include direct payments to medical facilities in Cuba or medical evacuation. They will be insufficient to meet the required medical coverage on the island.

As a Canadian, you should get the best travel health insurance you can afford for Cuba, including coverage for medical treatments, hospital stays, and medical repatriation. 

Where to Buy Travel Insurance for Cuba?

You can purchase travel insurance for Cuba from several providers, including travel insurance companies, travel agencies, airlines, credit cards, and the Cuban insurance company Asistur. 

1. Travel Insurance Companies

Some online and offline insurance companies offer Cuba travel insurance. 

We went ahead and requested quotes from the top travel insurance providers to find you the better deal. Because most of our readers are from the US and Canada, we searched for Cuba travel insurance available for visitors from both countries.

Specifically, we gathered travel insurance quotes for a young couple traveling for one week to Cuba who planned to spend about 3,000 USD (the typical trip to Cuba cost). 

Travel Insurance Companies for Americans Traveling to Cuba

Travel insurance policies issued by US companies are not generally accepted in Cuba. For example, as of January 2023, these popular travel insurance providers in the US won’t offer coverage for people traveling to Cuba:

• Travel Guard
• Travelex
• World Nomads
• Seven Corners

However, a few travel insurance companies claim to offer insurance policies accepted in Cuba to US travelers, including:

• Insubuy
• IMG Global
• Trawick International
• Allianz
• GeoBlue
• Axa
• Nationwide
• Travel Insured International

The below table summarizes the insurance plans they offer and the starting price for a $3,000 seven-day trip to Cuba for two young people. 

*Prices are per week per couple. They have been rounded out and are subject to change at any time.

Note: Even though we did our best to find the best travel insurance for Cuba, we cannot guarantee that policies from these companies will be accepted on the island. Ultimately, the Cuban immigration authorities will decide whether your travel insurance policy is acceptable. 

Therefore, you should contact your favorite travel insurance company directly to confirm that their policies are recognized in the country. 

Travel Insurance Companies for Canadians Traveling to Cuba

As a Canadian, you can purchase travel insurance for Cuba from a few trusted providers, including:

• Insubuy
• IMG Global
• Trawick International
• Travel Insured International
• Manulife
• RBC Insurance
• Tugo

The table below shows the type of insurance plan and associated cost for a young couple on a $3,000 seven-day trip to Cuba.

*Prices are per week per couple. They have been rounded out and are subject to change at any time.

Consider your specific needs and compare policies from the providers above to find the best coverage at the best price. Once again, remember that only travel health insurance is required to enter Cuba. However, it may not cover all your needs. 

2. Travel Agencies

Some travel agencies offer travel insurance for Cuba as part of a package deal, making it easy to purchase insurance while booking your trip. They include online travel agencies or search engines such as Kayak and Expedia. 

You can get travel insurance for Cuba directly from these websites, either at the time of booking or as a separate transaction.

3. Airlines

If you are traveling from the US, in most cases, airlines will include your travel health insurance for Cuba in your ticket price. If not, you can purchase it from them. For example, United Airlines and American Airlines offer Cuba travel insurance for 25 USD per person. This policy is provided by ESICUBA and is valid for 30 days. 

If you are flying from Canada or any other country, airlines generally offer Cuba travel insurance as an add-on after booking a flight. The coverage may include medical treatment, trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss, and other travel-related risks.

However, Cuba travel insurance offered by airlines may not be the most comprehensive or cost-effective option. It may also have limitations and exclusions. 

4. Non-US Credit Cards

Some credit cards offer travel insurance as a benefit to cardholders, including coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies and evacuation, baggage loss, and even dental benefits.

However, always check the terms and conditions of your credit card, especially if issued by US banks. That’s because US credit cards are not accepted in Cuba. Contact the card issuer directly to verify whether your benefits are applicable on the island. 

5. Asistur

If your insurance policy is not accepted in Cuba, or you just landed on the island without travel medical insurance, you will have to purchase it from Asistur. 

Asistur is a Cuban insurance broker that offers travel insurance policies from local providers ESICUBA and ESEN. They provide coverage for medical expenses, including emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation. Some policies include travel protection coverage, such as baggage loss and delay, documentation management, and others. 

The insurance policies from Asistur have multiple tiers, and prices start at 1 USD per traveler per day. If you plan to do high-risk physician activities or are 70 years or older, you must pay an additional 3 USD per day. Therefore, the cheapest option for our young couple traveling to Cuba would be 16 USD for the entire week. 

You can purchase Cuban insurance policies on Cuba.Travel, a Cuban government’s website. 

As a local provider, Asistur may be a good option for travelers who want to ensure that their insurance is recognized in Cuba. It’s also the only choice to purchase insurance upon arrival at Havana Airport. However, coverage may be limited and dealing with claims may become a hassle. 

The Best Travel Insurance for Cuba

If your Cuba travel insurance is not bundled into your flight ticket, we recommend purchasing it from Insubuy because:

• It is the least expensive option.
• Their insurance plans claim to be accepted in Cuba.
• You can get a hassle-free online quote. 
• It allows you to make side-by-side comparisons between multiple providers. 
• You can purchase your insurance plan instantly.
• You can buy either travel health insurance, comprehensive travel insurance, or both.
• They have an Excellent rating in TrustPilot. 

That said, it’s always a good idea to compare policies from multiple providers to find the best coverage for your specific needs and budget.

How Much is Travel Insurance to Cuba?

Travel insurance in Cuba starts at 16 USD per couple per week, but it can cost as much as 244 USD. The final cost will depend on your trip duration, the number and age of travelers, the type of insurance policy, and your insurance provider. 

Protect Your Cuba Vacation

Travel health insurance is legally required for travel to Cuba. Along with the Cuba Tourist Visa, it’s one of the most important things to bring to your Cuba vacation.

Besides being an entry requirement, having travel insurance can help provide financial protection in medical emergencies and other travel-related risks. Although Cuba is generally safe, you are not exempt from these risks. Better safe than sorry!

Remember, you only need the medical portion of your travel insurance to enter the island. You can get it from multiple sources, including non-US insurance companies, airlines, travel agencies, credit cards, and the Cuban broker Asistur. We suggest purchasing it from Insubuy, the cheapest and most convenient travel insurance provider for Cuba.

Are we missing options to get medical coverage for your trip to Cuba? What insurance companies or facts did we overlook? Let us know in the comments below!