Peru Travel Insurance
Many travelers are too wrapped up in the excitement of exploring the Lost City of the Incas to worry about seemingly small matters such as Peru travel insurance, but the truth is that Machu Picchu travel insurance could actually come in handy under many different circumstances. While the trip to Machu Picchu is an exciting one, there can also be many obstacles. Sometimes floods can force closure of the Inca Trail, ruining your hiking tour. Perhaps bad weather or an earthquake interrupts your flights to Peru. While all of these occurrences aren’t very likely to happen, it can be best to be prepared for the worst.
Travel insurance can be bought online, and many different companies typically offer it, which makes it easy to compare policies and choose what best suits your budget and your trip. The biggest reason you should consider Peru travel insurance is medical emergencies. Some travelers might be willing to absorb the lost cost of a flight or deposit on a tour, but your health should not to be messed around with. In the case of medical emergencies or evacuation, these will be covered by most Machu Picchu travel insurance plans. This can include anything from a twisted ankle while hiking to a chipped tooth if you fall, or something more serious. Remember that when you visit Machu Picchu, you are trekking deep into the jungle to a location that remained undiscovered for centuries. While it is generally safe for visitors, accidents and emergencies do happen.
Another type of Peru travel insurance some travelers don’t understand is trip cancellation. This type of insurance keeps you safe before you even depart. For example, if the Inca Trail is closed and your hiking trip canceled, or if you have a death in your family or break an arm before your trip and are unable to go, trip cancellation insurance will make sure you get your money back on any flights or deposits. While some travelers think that this type of insurance is being too cautious, you won’t think so when you have to cancel a trip last minute, for whatever reason. Not all travel insurance packages include trip cancellation, so be sure to read the fine print.
One of the most important elements of Machu Picchu travel insurance is for your baggage and personal belongings. Even though you are trekking into the jungle, you might want to take some expensive equipment such as a digital camera. Each individual travel insurance policy will have different terms about personal belongings, so again, reading the fine print is essential. This reason is often at the top of traveler’s lists as to why they purchase insurance, but more important than a piece of equipment that can be replaced is your health.
A final reason why you might want to purchase travel insurance is altitude sickness. Even travelers who spent a few days in Cusco acclimating to the higher altitudes can feel the effects of the elevation. If you do require medical care, you will want to be covered by travel insurance. Before you purchase a plan, check out your existing medical insurance to find out if your plan covers some international travel. You might be surprised at what you discover. Once you know you’re safe and covered, you can hit the hiking trails, soak in the mineral waters of Aguas Calientes, and go camping on the Inca Trail without a single worry.
