Travel insurance for South America

Key takeaways

• The average cost of worldwide travel insurance is £97 ^{^}

• Travel insurance protects you from medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more

• If you are planning on doing higher-risk activities such as hiking or white water rafting you may need an adventure sports add-on

Do I need travel insurance for South America?

Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.

Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to South America is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost, damaged or stolen.

According to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers:

• British residents had to make 500,000+ ^{^} claims on their travel insurance in 2023

• The average claim amount was £972 ^{^} and the average medical claim £1,750 ^{^}

• In contrast, you can find worldwide travel insurance from just £27.40 ^{^}

South America hosts major events throughout the year, including Rio Carnival in Brazil (February), the Inti Raymi Festival in Peru (June) and the Buenos Aires Tango Festival in Argentina (August). Travelling during these events can mean larger crowds and busy transport, so travel insurance can help cover delays, cancellations or lost belongings.

What type of travel insurance do I need for South America?

Most South American countries are covered under worldwide travel insurance policies .

The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:

🚩 The UK government advises against all travel to parts of Venezuela. That means travel insurance will not cover you if you visit these areas.

How much is travel insurance for South America?

The table shows the average prices paid by our customers for holidays this year. Average price means 51% of customers paid this amount or less. Cheapest price means 10% of customers paid this price or less.

Can I get last minute travel insurance for South America?

Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.

You can buy last minute travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.

Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?

No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.

If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your holiday to South America.

What should my travel insurance policy for South America include?

Standard travel insurance will usually cover:

• Illness and accidents

• Trip and activity cancellations

• Lost luggage (including your passport)

• Theft including pickpocketing

• Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill or dead)

• Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property)

🚩Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.

What isn't covered by travel insurance for South America?

Typical exclusions include:

• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions

• 'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes and natural disasters

• Alcohol and drug-related incidents

• Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)

• Adventure or winter sports

💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports , gadget cover and travel disruption cover .

Medical care in South America

British citizens will be required to pay for medical care if they need it while visiting South America.

That’s why it’s important to have travel insurance, which can cover these costs and more. You won’t be able to use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) here.

Can I get travel insurance for South America if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.

A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities .

You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.

You can buy medical travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.

Will travel insurance cover altitude sickness?

Yes, usually. However, if you are doing activities above a certain height you may need to have specialist cover. For example, adventure sports cover is often needed for hikes above 2,000m. Some of the most popular hikes in South America will take you far above this limit. For example, Dead Women's Pass, the highest point of the Inca Trail, is 4,215m.

Do I need a visa to visit South America?

Most South American countries do not require British tourists to have a visa if they have a full UK passport and are not staying for more than 90 days.

However, the rules are different for each country, so it’s important to check what the entry requirements are for the countries you’re visiting.

🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.

Do I need vaccinations to visit South America?

The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to South America, including your flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you are eligible for these.

You will need to check the requirements of all the countries you’re visiting when it comes to vaccinations.

In Peru, for example, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended and some tourists also have vaccinations for Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever. While in Chile, there are no recommended vaccines, but some tourists have Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus.

🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.

What travel insurance do I need for white water rafting in South America?

Your standard travel insurance policy will not usually cover you high-risk or adventurous water sports, which usually includes white water rafting.

However, every policy is different so you will need to check what is, and what isn’t, covered with yours. If you’re not covered for water sports, you will have to buy an adventurous sports add on.

What travel insurance do I need for trekking in South America?

You may need to buy trekking and hiking cover if you're hoping to explore the hiking trails of Patagonia or head off into the Amazon. Standard travel insurance policies often will not cover more extreme activities like rock climbing, mountaineering or trekking above a certain height or in riskier locations.

Insurers often bundle this type of insurance into an adventure sports package, which you may be able to add to your existing travel insurance for a fee.

How do I claim on my travel insurance?

• Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible

• If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report

• Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved

➡️ Learn more: How to make a claim on your travel insurance.

Where can I get cheap travel insurance for South America?

With MoneySuperMarket you can compare quotes from up to 42 different travel insurers, helping you find the best price for the level of cover you want.

Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to £5 ^{^} , a Free Days Out pass worth £180, and much more.

Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub ^{^} before you buy your travel policy.

💡 Top tip: Looking for travel insurance for another destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub .