Compare travel insurance for Egypt
Here are a few ideas on how to have a brilliant time in Egypt and a reminder to sort out your travel insurance when you book.
The Great Pyramid of Giza may be one of the ancient wonders of the world, but there should be no mystery over whether you should take out a travel insurance policy when you visit this historical and vibrant country.
Why do I need travel insurance for Egypt?
Travel insurance is essential if you’re planning a holiday in Egypt.
If you fall ill, have an accident, lose your baggage, or have your belongings stolen while on holiday, your travel insurance policy will cover you. What’s more, it would provide financial protection if you needed to cut short or cancel your trip in an emergency.
What should my travel insurance policy for Egypt include?
A good travel insurance policy for Egypt should include the following:
Cover for emergency medical expenses.
Cover for the cost of bringing you back to the UK, or ‘repatriation’.
Cover for the cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. This is in case you have to head home earlier than planned or an emergency prevents you from going in the first place.
Delay and missed departure cover. This covers you if events beyond your control (such as a car breakdown) cause you to miss your flight.
Travel abandonment cover for unusual circumstances where the journey to your destination becomes unfeasible.
Baggage cover. This is in case your belongings are lost or stolen during your trip. Make sure you have cover for any particularly costly items you’ll have with you, such as precious jewellery.
Passport cover. This is important because getting a replacement for a lost or stolen passport while abroad can be both complicated and costly.
Personal liability cover. This protects you in case something you do causes injury to someone else or the loss or damage of their possessions.
Egypt travel insurance: exclusions and what to watch out for
Most travel insurance policies come with exclusions you should be aware of.
Exclusions are things your insurer will not pay out for. They usually include the following:
Pre-existing medical conditions. For example, if you have chronic high blood pressure and become unwell on holiday as a direct result, you will be unable to claim. If you have such a condition, or you’ve had one in the past for which you’ve received advice or treatment, you may be charged a higher premium. In some instances, you might have to take out a special policy.
Cover for unexpected incidents that may affect your holiday. These might include civil unrest, war, terrorism, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
Cover for accidents or injuries that can be linked to you drinking too much. If you hurt yourself or someone else after having one too many, your travel insurer will likely refuse to pay out.
Cover for travel to locations that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has said British holidaymakers should avoid.
Cover for accidents or injuries that happen during sporting activities such as scuba diving. If you know you’ll be doing something adventurous while on holiday in Egypt, check to make sure you have appropriate insurance cover in place first.
Can I get insurance for adventurous activities or extreme sports?
There are many activities you can get involved in when you visit Egypt. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are common and popular among tourists, especially along the north coast.
You should check your travel insurance policy to see if it covers your planned activities. You can also find special adventure sports cover that covers you for these activities. When using MoneySuperMarket’s comparison tool, make sure that you tick the boxes of the activities you may be doing. We’ll find tailored policies that fit your holiday plan.
Excess premium
In addition, make sure you’re happy with the excess payable under your travel insurance policy. While opting for a higher one might help to slightly reduce the cost of your cover, this could be a false economy, leaving you financially stretched in the event you have to claim.
When should I start my travel insurance policy?
Finally, a good time to start your travel insurance policy is from the day you book your trip – not from the date when you are planning to travel. If you delay the start of your policy, you will not be covered if you unexpectedly need to cancel your holiday to Egypt.
Do I need world-wide or European travel insurance?
While a majority of Egypt is on the continent of Africa, for some travel insurance policies, it can sometimes be covered by Europe-wide travel insurance. While some companies treat Egypt as though it is part of Europe because it borders the Mediterranean, other travel insurers class it as a ‘worldwide’ destination.
You should check your policy documents to find out whether Egypt is included in the countries covered.
Can I access healthcare in Egypt?
Though Egypt is sometimes included in European travel insurance policies, it’s important to remember that the country is not in Europe. You will not be able to access healthcare using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
However, you will still be able to access healthcare should you have adequate travel insurance. Most hotels and resorts will house a doctor, and you should be able to access hospital treatment with your insurance.
Healthcare outside of major cities and tourist areas may be basic. Urgent and emergency treatment should ideally be sought in Cairo.
You should also carry a copy of your prescription with you if you use prescription medicine. Some UK-legal drugs may be prohibited in Egypt. Additionally, if you need more medicine, this could also help identify your needs.
Top travel tips for Egypt
Travel insurance isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when visiting Egypt. Consider these tips when you go on holiday to Egypt:
1. Don’t drive
While driving at home might feel trying at times, it is slower-paced and safer in comparison with the traffic you’ll find in cities such as Cairo.
Egypt’s roads are not for the faint hearted. There are good reasons why most British holidaymakers choose to walk or use taxis instead of hiring a car.
2. Be sun safe
Egypt has a desert climate with temperatures climbing above 40 degrees centigrade at certain times of the year. Use high-factor sun cream, regularly seek out shade, and wear a hat and sunglasses to help minimise the risk of sunburn.
It’s also vital to make sure you stay hydrated. Tap water in Egypt is not suitable for drinking, so you should have bottled water with you at all times.
3. Have hygiene products handy
Depending on where you go in Egypt, you may find that bathroom facilities aren’t as plush as those you’d expect back home.
If you’re heading out of your resort or hotel, it’s a good idea to take pocket tissues or toilet paper, and a bottle of hand sanitiser.
4. Dress considerately
It’s important to respect Egyptian culture while you are on holiday there, particularly if you are heading out of tourist areas to visit any of the country’s monuments, mosques, or famous historical sites.
Both men and women are advised to dress conservatively when outside of resorts, with legs and shoulders covered. Women are expected to cover their hair at religious sites, and anyone entering a mosque must always remove their shoes.
5. Have a go at haggling
Are you horrified at the thought of haggling for a cheaper deal? Then a trip to Egypt could cure you of your bartering phobia.
Stallholders and shop staff in Egypt are so used to haggling that it’s the perfect place to give it a go. Not only might you save some money while you’re away, but you could also pick up some transferrable skills that help keep more pounds in your pocket back home.
Looking for travel insurance?
Finding a cheap and comprehensive travel insurance policy for Egypt doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, with MoneySuperMarket’s comparison tool, it couldn’t be easier. Let us know about your travel plans, the activities you expect to be doing, and some extra information about you, and we’ll provide and compare some of the best quotes from leading insurers.