Traveling to Peru is an incredible adventure, but it’s crucial to plan for the unexpected. That’s why getting the right travel insurance for Peru is a must, even if it’s not the most exciting part of planning a trip. That being said, good coverage will give you peace of mind and could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if you get sick or injured.
We know this firsthand because we run photo tours to Peru every year. Peru is one of the top destinations in South America, full of breathtaking landscapes and ancient ruins. However, many excursions come with certain risks, and the country doesn’t offer free medical care to foreigners.
Best travel insurance for Peru
Consider that many hiking routes here take you to high elevations (over 16,400 ft), where altitude sickness can strike. Also, it’s not uncommon to deal with theft in cities like Lima, and natural disasters like earthquakes and floods rattle several regions across the country. This is why it’s essential to get Peru travel insurance before your trip.
Last year, we traveled to the Manu Amazon rainforest, and we knew we wanted to protect ourselves from diseases like dengue and malaria. However, we ended up needing our Heymondo travel insurance for an entirely unexpected reason: our boat capsized in the Amazon River. It was the most challenging travel experience we’ve ever had, but Heymondo came to our rescue.
Needless to say, I can’t stress enough the importance of having travel insurance. For us, Heymondo is the most comprehensive option, whether you’re traveling to a Latin American country or anywhere else. Heymondo pays all medical expenses upfront, so all you have to do is focus on recovering and getting back to your trip. They also cover electronic equipment, which was a great benefit to have, as we learned during our Amazon accident.
I’ll share a few other options so you can find the best travel insurance for Peru. For example, SafetyWing is the cheapest choice, but it may not include all the coverage you want and has a high deductible. So, keep reading for more details and to find your perfect fit.
How to choose the best travel insurance for Peru
Again, not all Peruvian travel insurance policies are created equal, so finding the right choice for you is not always a straightforward process. Don’t worry, though, because I’ll walk you through all the essential information you need to make the best decision:
- Price of travel insurance for Peru
- Best travel insurance for Peru
- What should travel insurance for Peru cover?
- Tips for choosing the best travel insurance for Peru
By the end of this guide, you’ll know which is the best Peru travel insurance for your trip purposes and budget.
Do you need travel insurance for Peru?
Having travel insurance is not a requirement to enter Peru, but it’s highly recommended. As I mentioned earlier, traveling to this country is quite an adventure, and budgeting for travel insurance is a smart move. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on coverage, as there are several cheap travel insurance options to choose from.
None of us like to think about worst-case scenarios, but the truth is that unforeseen events can happen, especially when you’re visiting a foreign country. Having travel health insurance for Peru can alleviate many worries since it ensures you’ll be taken care of if you fall ill or have an accident. Moreover, the insurance company can provide guidance for things like seeking medical attention, buying medications, and much more.
Do you need travel insurance for Peru?
This is particularly important in a country like Peru, where you’re at risk of contracting malaria, a nasty stomach bug, or altitude sickness. The cities pose their own threats, like pickpockets and other crimes, while the more rural areas have hiking routes with uneven terrain, sloping hills, and rocky paths just waiting for you to trip and fall.
I don’t say this to scare you, just to drive home the message that Peru travel insurance is totally worth it.
Peru travel insurance price comparison
If you’re convinced that getting travel health insurance for Peru is a good idea (it is!), then your next course of action is finding the right policy for your trip. I’ve compared the prices for a few different Peru travel insurance options, calculating the costs for a 30-year-old American visiting Peru for 2 weeks with a trip cost of $5,000:
Price | $89.05 | $28.14 | $155 | $249.65 | $257.77 |
Deductible | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Medical Expenses Paid Upfront | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Emergency Medical Expenses | $200,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $50,000 |
Evacuation & Repatriation | $500,000 | $100,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
Trip Cancellation | $10,000 | Not covered | 100% of $5,000* | 100% of $5,000* | 100% of $5,000* |
Trip Interruption | $10,000 | $5,000 | 150% of $5,000* | 150% of $5,000* | 150% of $5,000* |
Baggage Loss | $3,000 | $3,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR PERU | |||||
*Price used for example
Pay extra attention to your policy’s coverage limits since you may want to purchase additional coverage. Heymondo, for example, covers mountain climbing up to 15,000 ft, but most other insurance companies don’t.
Best travel insurance for Peru
As you can see from the chart above, there is a wide range in pricing for Peru travel insurance, but overall, Heymondo stands out for its comprehensive coverage in both medical and travel-related categories, all at an affordable price. It offers excellent trip cancellation benefits (some companies only include this as an add-on), as well as a good amount of baggage loss protection. Plus, it’s the only option that pays your medical expenses upfront, so you don’t have to file a reimbursement claim, making it the overall best travel insurance company.
If you’re looking to cut costs and you don’t mind having fewer travel-related benefits, consider SafetyWing. Just remember that it doesn’t cover trip cancellation, and it has a $250 deductible per claim, so you’ll have to pay $250 worth of medical bills before the company covers your costs.
Below, I’ll share the details for 5 travel insurances for Peru, so you can find the best fit for your trip.
1. Heymondo, the best travel insurance for Peru
Overall, Heymondo stands out as the best travel insurance for Peru, offering a high amount of medical coverage for an affordable price. In addition to substantial coverage for baggage, the company has special coverage for electronic equipment, an invaluable feature that we benefitted from when our boat capsized in the Amazon.
That being said, my top reason for choosing Heymondo is because of its excellent traveler assistance. If you have an accident or fall ill, reach out to Heymondo through the 24/7 app or toll-free hotline. They’ll steer you in the right direction to the best hospital or medical center, and they handle all the arrangements. That means you get immediate healthcare without reaching for your wallet, as Heymondo takes care of those medical bills right from the get-go.
If you’re not in need of medical attention but you have questions, the app gives you access to the telemedicine service where you can consult a doctor and have your concerns answered.
In addition, Heymondo is one of the top trip cancellation insurances, covering reasons like travel advisories, job termination, and legal summons.
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We’ve been using this company for several years, so you can read my full Heymondo review for more details. Currently, we have long-term insurance since we travel full-time, but we’ve also used their annual multi-trip insurance, which is great for frequent travelers. They’ve always come through for us, especially last year when we had a boat accident in Peru; they took care of us so we could recover our equipment, passports, and documents as soon as possible.
Don’t forget that you can use our Heymondo discount code to enjoy 5% off your Peru travel insurance policy.
2. SafetyWing, the best cheap travel insurance for Peru
If you’re looking for cheap travel insurance, I recommend SafetyWing. This company offers Peru travel insurance for a fraction of the cost, although it means you won’t enjoy as many benefits. For example, trip cancellation is not included in this policy.
Some add-ons are available, such as electronics theft and adventure sports coverage. However, these are currently only available for non-U.S. residents. Also, remember that there is a $250 deductible per claim, so you must pay $250 in medical expenses before SafetyWing takes over and covers your costs.
On the plus side, the company offers 24/7 support and some of the cheapest Peru travel insurance plans, even with the add-ons. You can even buy a policy if you’re already traveling and get coverage in your home country for 30 days after being abroad for 90 days.
While I wouldn’t choose it over Heymondo, it’s a good option if you’re okay with getting medical-only travel insurance.
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3. IMG Global, one of the best Peru travel insurances for seniors
IMG Global is another good travel insurance for Peru. The iTravelInsured plan provides an excellent amount of medical-related coverage and no deductible. As for its travel benefits, they cover 100% of your trip costs if you need to cancel your trip for a justifiable reason (150% for trip interruption).
The company also covers pre-existing conditions with a relatively short lookback period of 60 days. IMG Global gives you 20 days after the initial trip payment to apply for this benefit, which is extremely helpful. Overall, this is a good travel insurance for seniors since the maximum age is 100 years old.
On the other hand, the Peru travel insurance plan we looked at doesn’t have as much baggage loss coverage compared to Heymondo, and it’s much more expensive. You can get very similar coverage with Heymondo, and you won’t have to pay your medical bills out of your own pocket, then gather your documents and file a claim for reimbursement.
Finally, IMG Global has a variety of plans available, so it’s important to double-check your policy’s terms and conditions so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s excluded.
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4. Trawick International, another good travel health insurance for Peru
Trawick International is another travel insurance for Peru that you can consider. Its Safe Travels Voyager plan offers ample emergency medical expense and evacuation coverage, so you can travel with confidence. An add-on with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is also available.
This is also one of the best travel insurances for pre-existing conditions, with a 90-day lookback period. However, you must apply for the pre-existing condition waiver within 7 days of your initial trip deposit date.
Another thing I must point out is that Trawick International is pricey, so you can get better or similar coverage for a more affordable price. For example, Heymondo is cheaper but still offers great medical and travel-related protection, as well as medical expenses paid upfront, so you don’t have to worry about shelling out big bucks for healthcare.
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5. AIG Travel Guard, a flexible travel insurance for Peru
Finally, AIG Travel Guard has travel insurance for Peru with no deductible and a high amount of evacuation and repatriation coverage. However, its emergency medical expense coverage is very low, especially for the price of the policy. In fact, AIG is the most expensive of the options I compared, costing almost three times as much as Heymondo.
To be fair, this company stands out for its travel-related benefits, particularly trip cancellation and trip interruption, which cover 100% and 150% of your trip costs, respectively. You can even add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) to your plan since this is one of the few travel insurance companies with CFAR coverage.
Other upgrades available from AIG include rental car coverage, flight accident coverage, and a pre-existing conditions waiver. Make sure you check your policy’s description of benefits to see how much coverage is available with your plan.
Something that stands out to me is the low amount of baggage loss protection, which is noticeably less than competitors like Heymondo. I could be biased because of my experience in the Amazon, but I’d definitely want more coverage for my Peru travel insurance.
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What should travel insurance for Peru cover?
If you’re still not sure which is the best Peru travel insurance for your trip, consider the types of coverage your policy should include. While you may want add-ons like Cancel For Any Reason or extreme sports coverage, there are some basic benefits that any plan should include.
Below, you’ll find the key factors to consider when comparing travel insurance for Peru:
Emergency medical expenses
Emergency medical expense coverage is the most crucial component to any Peruvian travel insurance policy. This benefit pertains to the amount of medical expenses the insurance company will cover if you need things like a doctor’s visit, hospitalization, prescription drugs, or tests.
Naturally, this comes with a list of exceptions, so I recommend reviewing each policy to know which medical expenses aren’t included. In any case, the higher the coverage amount, the better – especially considering that foreigners don’t receive free medical care in Peru.
Baggage loss, theft & damage
An unfortunate reality of traveling is that luggage often gets lost, damaged, or even stolen. It’s more common than you may think, especially for trips with multiple layovers.
This is why your travel insurance to Peru should include a baggage loss benefit to cover these kinds of mishaps. If you’re going to bring electronic equipment along (like a camera), you might need to add extra coverage to your policy. This is one of the reasons why we use Heymondo; it includes this coverage automatically.
Of course, I always recommend keeping your most valuable items in your carry-on luggage to reduce the risk of loss or theft.
Baggage loss, theft & damage
Trip cancellation & interruption
Most basic policies for Peru travel insurance include trip interruption benefits, but the amount of coverage may vary. This benefit covers the costs incurred from having to interrupt your trip for any of the reasons included in the policy.
On the other hand, trip cancellation is usually not included in basic travel insurance for Peru. However, it’s a great idea to invest in this coverage if your budget allows. This way, if you’re unable to travel for a justified reason, this benefit will let you recover the money you invested in the trip. You can learn more about the best trip cancellation insurance in our guide.
Other types of coverage
Lastly, there are some additional benefits you may want to include in your Peru travel insurance. For example, you’ll probably take some thrilling excursions in Peru, but they may be considered “risky activities” or “adventure sports” by your insurance. This means that if you get hurt while participating in these activities, you won’t be covered. So, it’s a good idea to add this extra coverage to your policy.
Another thing you could benefit from having as part of your travel insurance for Peru is natural disaster coverage. Peru is a country that’s susceptible to earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. This benefit will include extra coverage should you get hurt during one of these disasters or have to return home early.
Last but not least, liability coverage will protect you if you unintentionally cause harm to a third party during your trip. Typically, it includes an extra amount allocated for legal assistance abroad.
Tips for choosing the best travel insurance for Peru
To finish up, I want to share some tips to make choosing the best travel insurance for Peru easier:
- Focus on finding the best coverage, not on getting a low price: One thing is certain: sometimes, the cheapest option can end up costing you more in the long run. While some Peru travel insurance policies offer budget-friendly prices, what really matters is how much medical coverage they provide. Having a medical safety net of $50,000 isn’t the same as having $250,000 in coverage.
- Go with a company that pays your medical expenses upfront: One of my best pieces of advice is to look for an insurer that handles your medical expenses for you, upfront. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for medical care first, then fill out all the necessary paperwork, submit your receipts, and wait around for reimbursement. Heymondo stands out here, as it’s one of the few travel insurances for Peru that pays your medical bills upfront, so you just have to focus on recovering.
- Pay attention to the company’s reputation and onboarding process: Have you ever visited a company’s website and been overwhelmed by its poor design? Maybe the website kept crashing, or it was super difficult to find the information you were looking for. I always favor insurers with clean and simple websites, an easy sign-up process, and crystal-clear terms and conditions.
- Look into the customer service: Finally, make sure that your insurer offers a customer service helpline, preferably around-the-clock. Once again, Heymondo outshines the competition with a 24/7 app where you can speak to a doctor, access your policy documents, and more.
FAQs – Peru travel insurance
Now, you should have a better idea of how to find the best travel insurance for Peru. If you still have some doubts, here are the answers to some common questions:
Do you need travel insurance for Peru?
No, you don’t need insurance to travel to Peru. However, I highly recommend it, especially in a country like Peru, where you can easily get sick or have an accident while adventuring.
Do you need Peru travel insurance to go to Machu Picchu?
No. However, if you plan to go to Machu Picchu, I recommend having Peru travel insurance. This tourist site is at a high elevation and involves lots of hiking on uneven trails, so you’re susceptible to altitude sickness and accidents.
What should Peru travel insurance cover?
The best travel insurance for Peru should include a high amount of emergency medical coverage, baggage loss benefits, and trip interruption (and preferably trip cancellation).
What’s not covered by Peru travel insurance?
Typically, Peru travel insurance doesn’t cover trip cancellation, electronic equipment, and extreme sports. It’s a good idea to add these benefits to your policy.
What is the best travel insurance for Peru?
Heymondo is the best travel insurance for Peru, offering comprehensive coverage, an excellent coverage-to-price ratio, and a 24/7 customer support app. It’s also one of the few insurers that pays your medical expenses upfront, so you don’t have to file a claim for reimbursement.
How much does travel insurance for Peru cost?
The cheapest travel insurance for Peru costs as little as $14/week, but you should focus on the amount of coverage rather the price.
Is it safe to travel to Peru?
Currently, Peru has a Level 2 Travel Advisory, which means you should exercise increased caution while visiting. The most crime occurs in the cities, particularly in the capital of Lima.
Is travel insurance for Peru worth it?
Travel insurance for Peru is 100% worth it. I would never travel anywhere, especially to Peru, without insurance coverage.
I hope you feel better prepared for your adventure and that you found the best Peru travel insurance for your budget and trip purposes. Of course, don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions. I’d be happy to help!
Stay safe, and enjoy your trip to Peru!
