Travel Insurance for Chile

Travel Insurance for Chile
Travel & Safety Tips for Chile
Popular Chile Travel Destinations
Chile Embassy & Consulate Information

Is Travel Insurance Required for Chile?

Chile is one of the world's top destinations for adventure travel and sightseeing. With so many possibilities in this South American country, it's no wonder travelers want to know about Chile's travel insurance requirements. Visitors to Chile are not required to show proof of travel insurance, but Chile does require travelers to fill out an online “Traveler's Affidavit” less than 48 hours before departure for Chile. Travelers should keep this document on hand when boarding a flight to the country, as the completed Traveler’s Affidavit must be shown to board a flight to Chile. Travelers who are interested in dining indoors in Chile, attending large events, or taking a domestic flight within Chile are encouraged to also obtain a Mobility Pass.

Travel health insurance is a priority for many travelers to Chile. Travel medical plans may assist and reimburse travelers who become sick or injured while abroad. Many travelers also choose to protect their trip against travel-related disruptions such as baggage loss, flight delays, natural disasters, and more with travel insurance. Chile is home to several distinct geographical zones, and it’s recommended that travelers consider local weather, possible volcanic eruptions, etc. when comparing travel insurance for Chile.

Various coverages can often be included in comprehensive travel insurance plans to suit individual needs. For example, some travelers prioritize coverage for the possibility of ending their trip early. Trip cancellation and Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) are among the recommended benefits for travelers who are concerned about cancellations. Depending on the plan, things like adventurous activities and specific health concerns can also be covered by international insurance for Chile.

How Much Does Chile Travel Insurance Cost?

Visitors going to Chile often want to know how much travel protection will cost. Since each trip is different, the price of each travel insurance policy is different. Several factors generally determine the price of travel insurance. First, the duration of a trip will affect a policy, as longer international trips usually contain more risk and therefore may cost more to cover. Similarly, it may cost more to cover a greater number of travelers or older travelers, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions. Finally, the type of coverage included in a plan may influence the overall cost of your Chile trip insurance.

In many cases, it is wise to insure the total nonrefundable cost of a trip. Sometimes travel insurance can reimburse a traveler for costs that otherwise wouldn't be returned after a cancellation.

What Does Travel Health Insurance for Chile Cover?

Travel health insurance for Chile may include various medical benefits, including but not limited to:

• Emergency medical and dental care
• Medical evacuation
• Trip interruption due to injury or illness
• 24-hour traveler assistance

Coverage to address personal health concerns may also be added to Chile travel medical insurance. For example, some travelers may need coverage for diagnosed pre-existing conditions, and others may desire coverage for adventurous sports and activities like climbing and trekking in Chile.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan may include medical coverage and coverage for other travel concerns. For example, assistance with disruptions in transportation services, identity theft, vacation rentals, and more may be included in a comprehensive plan.

Travelers looking for more flexibility related to COVID-19 or other concerns may consider adding the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to their plan. CFAR can allow a traveler to cancel a trip for reasons not covered by other travel insurance benefits. This benefit does have certain time restrictions and eligibility requirements. If applicable, be sure to purchase the benefit close to the date you make your first payment for a trip to Chile.

What is the Best Travel Insurance for Chile Trips?

Every trip abroad is different, so there isn’t an overall “best” travel insurance plan for everyone. Your travel insurance coverage may aim to address your itinerary and personal concerns while traveling.

Many travelers visit Chile for its striking geography, and travelers visiting intense climates or volcanoes are encouraged to consider coverage related to cancellations. Those staying in a rental location from a site like Airbnb might consider travel insurance for vacation rentals. Backpackers sometimes need assistance from travel insurance for lost or stolen items, transportation delays, and other such disturbances. In any case, comprehensive plans often offer travelers the most benefits for a trip to Chile.

Comparing different providers, benefits, prices, and reviews all in one place is an efficient way to start looking for the best travel insurance for your next trip to Chile. To review various Chile travel insurance plans being offered now, start an online travel insurance quote. This tool is free to use any time to help travelers identify coverage to suit their personal needs and next trip overseas.

Travel Tips & Safety for Chile

Money & Currency Exchange

Chile's official currency is the Chilean peso (currency code: CLP). Prices in Chilean peso are typically denoted by the symbols $ or CL$. As for cash, Chilean pesos come in banknotes in values of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, and 20,000 pesos, as well as coins in values of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 pesos. While a number of South American countries widely accept USD, many Chilean vendors will not take USD and will require payment in Chilean pesos. Cash is usually preferred, but debit and credit cards can be used in some tourist hotspots.

When exchanging your money for Chilean pesos, it’s best practice to shop around for the best rates before you make a trade. ATMs, hotels, airports, and private money exchange services may all offer different exchange rates. As a general rule, hotels and airports are more convenient but tend to offer poor exchange rates in comparison to other money changers. The savviest travelers look around at multiple options before trading their home currency for Chilean pesos.

Transportation

Transportation in Chile may seem daunting due to the size of the country, but Chile's well-developed roads and comfortable public transportation systems make navigating your trip a breeze. Efficient buses cover Ruta 5, Chile's main highway, and offer varying degrees of amenities, which may include on-board bathroom facilities, almost fully reclinable seats, and meals/coffee/tea services for long-distance and overnight rides. Shorter trips and routes to outlying destinations are covered by systems of micros (minibuses) which usually depart every 15 minutes. Instead of buying your ticket at a station like the larger buses, simply pay your micro driver when you get on the bus and you're good to go.

Water travel in Chile may take the form of a quick river/lake crossing or extend into a scenic three-day journey through the Patagonian fjords to Puerto Natales. Domestic flights are also available if you need to travel long distances quickly. Or if you prefer to drive yourself, travelers over 25 with a valid driver's license, credit card, and a passport may rent a car in Chile.

Risk & Crime

The crime rate in Chile is relatively low – in fact, Chile has one of the lowest crime rates in South America. However, travelers should still be vigilant and take extra precautions to avoid risks like pickpocketing and tourist scams during a Chile trip. Petty theft and bag snatching in Chile have been reported, mostly in urban areas. For this reason, travelers are recommended to stick to tourist hot spots and only travel during the day in bright, populous areas. The streets of Santiago, Valparaiso, Providencia, Vitacura, Antofagasta, and Iquique may expose travelers to the risk of theft. In general, it's best to dress modestly while in public and keep your valuables stored away so that strangers can't reach or see things like cell phones, cameras, and important travel documents. The U.S. State Department also advises travelers to avoid protests, demonstrations, and other large gatherings. This type of civil unrest may affect public transportation like buses and the Santiago metro.

Chile's diverse landscapes include geysers, volcanos, and other natural attractions, often regarded as the highlight of Chile trips. In some cases, geysers and volcanoes may be predictable, but some cannot be accurately predicted. As such, there is an element of risk involved in visiting these sites. Chile has also seen earthquakes and wildfires, but park rangers and police strongly enforce special rules designed to lessen fire risks and buildings in Chile must meet certain safety requirements for seismic activity.

Top 15 Travel Destinations & Tourist Attractions in Chile

U.S. / Chile Embassy and Consulate Locations

U.S. Embassy in Chile

• U.S. Embassy Santiago
  Av. Andrés Bello 2800
  Las Condes
  Santiago, Chile
  Phone: 56.2.2330.3000

Chilean Embassy and Consulate in USA

• Washington DC — Chilean Embassy
  1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW
  Washington DC 20036 United States
  Phone: 1.202.785.1746
• Los Angeles, California — Chilean Consulate General
  6100 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1240
  Los Angeles, CA 90048 United States
  Phone: 1.323.933.3697
• San Francisco, California — Chilean Consulate
  870 Market St, Suite 1058
  NSan Francisco, CA 94102 United States
  Phone: 1.415.982.7662
• Miami, Florida — Consulado General De Chile
  800 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1200
  Miami, FL 33131 United States
  Phone: 1.305.373.8623
• Chicago, Illinois — Chilean Consulate General
  875 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1562
  Chicago, IL 60601 United States
  Phone: 1.312.654.8780
• New York, New York — Consulate General of Chile
  600 3rd Ave, Rm 2808
  New York, NY 10016 United States
  Phone: 1.212.980.3706
• Houston, Texas — Chilean Consulate General
  1300 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 1130
  Houston, TX 77056 United States
  Phone: 1.713.621.5853
• New York, New York — Chilean Permanent Mission to the UN
  885 Second Avenue, 40th Floor
  New York, NY 10017 United States
  Phone: 1.917.322.6800