Beyond the famous sandstone beaches, Cuba is a unique destination that attracts many tourists every year. To travel to this Caribbean island state, you must complete certain administrative formalities. Indeed, among the documents necessary to obtain the Cuba tourist card, a certificate is essential. It is travel insurance certificate the importance and specificities of which we reveal to you here.
The travel insurance certificate: a necessity for travel to Cuba
If you are planning a sightseeing trip to Cuba, you will need to provide documents to immigration upon arrival. Among this, a certificate of on-site accommodation or a certificate from a tour operator. It must also include your plane tickets and a valid passport. Finally, you will need to include in the file a travel insurance certificate which you will provide when you enter the territory.
Since 2010, Cuban authorities have required travelers to subscribe to this type of coverage. This decision is motivated by the fact that several tourists found themselves unable to pay for their health care on the island.
To overcome this concern, travelers will now have to prove that they have taken out insurance before being authorized to stay in the territory. This insurance must be approved by the local authorities. This is, for example, the case of the coverage offered by Chapka Insurance and the majority of French insurance companies.
What guarantees should travel insurance include?
For your travel certificate to be recognized as valid, it must include several essential covers.
Coverage for medical care and hospitalization costs
This coverage guarantees you adequate care in the event of illness or possible traffic accidents occurring on Cuban territory. Under these conditions, your insurance company will contact the healthcare establishment which takes care of you directly.
The insurer must therefore pay for you and within the limits of the defined ceilings, the expenses relating to your hospitalization. Typically, coverage of at least 30,000 euros is required to cover your trip. However, if you want to travel safely, you will need to take out an insurance policy which has a higher compensation limit.
Comprehensive assistance in the event of repatriation
In addition to covering medical care, your travel insurance must guarantee comprehensive assistance in the event of repatriation. This coverage is essential for people whose state of health may require urgent repatriation during the trip. In these cases, your insurance company must cover the expenses relating to your repatriation. These are the essential guarantees that your travel insurance must cover. However, there are other additional guarantees that you can take out to ensure you travel with peace of mind.
Other additional guarantees
This is the baggage guarantee, of the'juridic assistance and of flight cancellation guarantee. Please note, however, that these covers are basic understanding in most travel insurance contracts offered by French insurers.
You now understand the importance of the travel insurance certificate for obtaining a tourist card for Cuba. If you have taken out insurance with your usual insurer, you will be able to obtain this document in paper or electronic version. Be sure to make several copies of the document in order to present them when you go through customs.
