Travel Insurance for Croatia

Are you arranging your next trip to Zagreb, Split, or Dubrovnik? Croatia is a country full of surprises, with a lot to see and experience.

Taking out travel insurance for Croatia will help you make the most of your stay in this beautiful part of the world. In fact, you will always be safe in the knowledge that you are covered for any unwanted mishaps that may occur.

Want to learn more about the ins and out of travel insurance for your Croatian holiday? Read MoneySuperMarket’s guide and start packing your luggage!

Why do I need travel insurance for Croatia?

Travel insurance is an essential part of any holiday because it offers wallet-saving protection should things go wrong with your trip. With a decent travel insurance policy you’ll be protected if you lose your belongings, become ill or injured, or have to cancel your holiday. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy Croatia’s stunning scenery and cultural hotspots without any worries.

What should my travel insurance policy for Croatia include?

When you take out your travel insurance for Croatia, it should ideally include cover for the following:

• Cancellation or curtailment: This means if you need to cancel your holiday or end it early, you’ll be able to claim for the cost of pre-booked flights, accommodation, and excursions.

• Delayed and missed departures: This way, you’ll be protected if you miss your flights because of circumstances outside of your control. This could be, for example, if your car breaks down or extreme weather means you can’t get to the airport.

• Travel abandonment: Travel abandonment cover comes in useful if you have to give up on trying to get to your holiday destination due to unusual circumstances.

• Baggage and belongings: With baggage cover, you’ll be covered for the cost of replacing items if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen. However, you should keep an eye out for value limits on single items.

• Passport: Covering your passport means that, if it gets lost or stolen, you’ll be reimbursed for at least part of the cost of replacing it. You’ll also be able to claim for any extra flights or accommodation you’ve had to book as a result.

• Personal liability: Personal liability cover protects you against legal costs if you injure someone else. Likewise, it will protect you if someone’s possessions are lost or damaged and it’s your fault.

• Medical expenses: Travel insurance for medical treatment will make sure that you can afford any emergency medical treatments you need while you're travelling.

• Repatriation: Repatriation cover means you’ll be able to claim for the cost of bringing you back to the UK. This could be, for example, if you become ill and need to receive treatment at home.

Croatia travel insurance: exclusions and things to watch out for

Travel insurance can protect you against a range of things that can go wrong on holiday. But be mindful of things that might not be covered:

• Pre-existing conditions: You’ll need a specialised travel insurance policy to cover you for pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes. If you become ill as a result of your pre-existing condition without having declared it beforehand, you won’t be able to claim for treatment costs.

• Alcohol and drugs: If you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs while abroad and you injure yourself or someone else, or you lose your possessions, your insurer won’t pay out for treatment. In this scenario, you won’t be cover for replacement or personal liability costs either.

• Risky sports/activities: Certain activities, such as adventure, water, or winter sports, carry higher risk of injury and involve expensive equipment. Therefore, you’ll generally need a specialised policy to provide the right cover.

• Civil unrest, terrorism, and natural disasters: Civil unrest, terrorism, and natural disasters, such as the Icelandic volcano eruption in 2010, can cause havoc for your travel plans. Unforeseen circumstances such as these won’t always be immediately covered by your insurer. Additionally, if you’re travelling to a destination that the UK government has already advised against visiting, you might not be able to find cover at all.

Will my EHIC/GHIC cover me in Croatia?

Yes, the EEuropean Health Insurance Card and new GHIC entitles you to the same standard of healthcare that citizens of participating EU countries receive. This can be either for free or at a subsidised cost. This is still the case even though Britain has left the EU.

Top travel tips for Croatia

Croatia is a country full of natural and historical beauty. Check out our top tips below to make sure you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

Getting around

The easiest way to get around the country is by car. Croatia’s roads are in great condition and they give you a convenient way to explore the country. Some of the smaller villages are well worth the detours.

You can bring your own car or hire one locally. You’ll need a valid driver’s licence, but you may also be asked to show your passport or another form of ID, so keep that handy too.

Uber also started running in Croatia in 2015, offering a cheap taxi option in most of the country’s tourist locations including Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Split. However, keep in mind prices will be higher during the tourism season.

You might also consider Croatia’s bus network, which will help you get around most of the country, with the exception of Istria and the multiple islands. The buses are clean and modern, and service is frequent. That said, keep in mind you might be charged extra if you have a bicycle or extra baggage. You also won’t be able to take unplanned detours this way. So, if you have a strict schedule, the bus can be a good option, but for general exploring cars are the best bet.

If you’re planning on island hopping, jump on a ferry. In some cases this is the only way to get around. You’ll be able to take your car with you if you want to explore the islands you visit, but this will cost extra.

Paying for things

Croatia is part of the EU, and many places in the country do accept the Euro as payment. However, it isn’t their main currency. You’ll be better placed if you swap your pounds for the local Kuna (Kn). If you do use Euros, you’ll likely get your change in Kuna, often with less favourable exchange rates.

If you’re looking to withdraw money while in Croatia, look for ATM machines belonging to official banks. Bear in mind that they’ll normally be nearby the branches themselves. These are cheaper than the alternative, which is to use Euronet or Auro Domus cash machines. These are more frequent around tourist spots but also more expensive to use.

ATMs in general are quite common in Croatia, as many places – particularly small restaurants and bars – will prefer cash payments. However, shops and eateries that accept credit cards will have a sticker at the entrance or near the till. Even if they don’t, it won’t hurt to ask if you can pay by plastic.

One thing to remember is that, if asked whether you’d like to pay in the local or your own currency, always pick local. It is likely to end up cheaper most times.

Eating and drinking

Lunch has traditionally been the main meal of the day in Croatia. However, the nine-to-five workday means this isn’t always the case through the week. On weekends, though, lunch is generally a bigger affair.

The kind of cuisine you’ll get varies by region. As you might expect, the Dalmatian coast offers up a lot of Mediterranean-influenced food. This includes fish, seafood, and green vegetables. You won’t be without meat either as chicken and lamb are common, whereas pork not so much.

When it comes to drinking in Croatia, let’s start light. The tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water can be quite expensive. Cafes are generally open through the day, often closing around midnight, serving up tea, coffee and, in some cases, alcohol drinks.

Speaking of alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, and spirits are all big in Croatia. That said, beer has only recently come into the spotlight thanks to a number of microbreweries popping up.

Croatia’s local wines are also a treat. There are plenty of varieties produced by the country’s numerous wineries, many of which are family-run. Brandy fans can rejoice too, as you’ll find a range of flavours including honey, herb, cherry, and walnut.

Things to see and do

Croatia boasts a huge variety of attractions to suit all tastes, whether you’re looking for stunning natural scenery, cultural hotspots or a bouncing club scene.

Nature

Despite being a relatively small country, Croatia is home to eight national parks exhibiting some of Europe’s most jaw-dropping natural sights. In fact almost a tenth of Croatia is protected territory.

Amongst some of the most notable are:

• Plitvice Lakes National Park: Almost certainly Croatia’s most well-known natural hotspot, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a sight to behold. With waterfalls and lakes aplenty and swathes of stunning forest, it’s a must-see for nature lovers

• Paklenica National Park: Paklenica National Park is one for the adventurers, with over 100 miles of trails to hike and over 300 rock-climbing spots of varying degrees of difficulty

• Brijuni National Park: Brijuni is a group of 14 picturesque islands, home to an array of Mediterranean flora, a wild game reserve, and Croatia’s first ever golf course

Beaches

You won’t find many sandy beaches in Croatia, as most are stony. But that doesn’t stop them from being great places to relax and soak up the sun. There are plenty to choose from – some set against backdrops of buzzing bars and cafes, and others so serene you’ll hear waves and waves only.

Zlatni Rat is probably the most notable, a long stretch of golden pebbles poking out into the Adriatic sea. It’s a major tourist spot, so expect big crowds if you do visit. However, it’s worth the trip just for the incredible view of the Vidova Gora mountain. The beach is also good for a range of watersports, including surfing, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Just remember to take out the right travel insurance!

If you’re looking for something quieter, Spiaza beach in Susak offers sand, sun, and a shallow shoreline as well as pure tranquillity. There are no roads on the island and no nightclubs by the beach, so it’s truly a spot for seclusion.

History and culture

Croatia isn’t short of manmade history either, with eight of the 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country holding cultural importance (Plitvice Lakes National Park and the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests complete Croatia’s UNESCO set). All eight are located on the coast.

The old city of Dubrovnik is one of them, designated as a UNSECO World Heritage site in 1979. Named the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ by English poet Lord Byron, the site is host to a collection of magnificently preserved churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains from eras gone by.

It’s also a must for Game of Thrones fans, as this is where most of the series’ King’s Landing scenes were shot. There are even more filming locations dotted around the country.

You might also be tempted by the Cathedral of St. James, located in Sibenik. It took over a hundred years to build, especially noticeable in the unique blend of Gothic and Renaissance art and architecture. The sheer detail of decoration makes this worth the visit – keep an eye out for the 71 sculptured faces adorning the church’s frieze.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Croatia is a tale of two halves. During the winter months, you’ll find the most active club scene in cities like Zagreb and Split. As summer rolls in, the islands burst into life too. There are spots to suit all tastes, including pub crawls, cocktail bars, discos, and raves to name a few. You’ll also find a wide variety of music, ranging from jazz and soul to rock and electronica.

General advice

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind for your trip to Croatia:

• Avoid July and August if you don’t like crowds, as these are generally the peak months for tourism in the country.

• Bring cash and a way to withdraw cash, as not all places accept debit or credit cards. Also, try to stick to the local currency.

• Don’t pin your hopes on public transport if you’re visiting the islands. Renting a car or bringing your own will make it easier to see as much as possible.

• Bring padded blankets and water shoes for Croatia’s rocky beaches. Beware of sea urchins!

• Use sun-tan lotion and insect repellent. You’ll certainly need them!

Compare travel insurance policies for Croatia

Comparing travel insurance policies with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find affordable cover for your holiday. It’s important to shop around for cover, as you may find different insurers charge varying amounts for the same level of protection.

We’ll just ask you a few questions about you and your holiday, including where you’re travelling to, for how long, and what cover you’ll need for the trip. You’ll be able to compare policies from leading providers by the overall cost as well as what you’ll be covered for – once you’ve found the right deal just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.