Important - NEW Requirements for Cuban travel

[robbiemoe]

i know, its stressing me out too.......that's the info I got from my travel agent - no info on the consulate website yet. aghhh.

[ML23]

Hi, I leave on May 2nd... and only heard this today from my travel agent:

 

Effective May 01, 2010, all visitors to Cuba are required to have travel medical insurance coverage that is valid in Cuba, and be able to provide documentation to prove that you do. If you do not or can not prove that you have insurance you will no longer be permitted to enter the country.

 

Note that the Cuban Government is licensing companies to sell “insurance recognized in Cuba”, at the airport on arrival, I am sure that this will result in overpriced low coverage insurance being sold at the Cuban airports and the immigration officers being particularly vigilant at enforcing the rules as they see them.

 

Buy valid insurance before you depart for Cuba, and bring all of the documentation with you. Saying I am covered by my company will not suffice, you must have specific proof of insurance coverage valid in Cuba.

 

I got a quote from my agent for $25 + tax. She said that if you wait and buy it when you arrive, they can charge whatever they want (and said it may be as high as $10 per day or more). I hate having to reach out to all my guests now and have to tell them this news.

 

Some companies do offer travel medical insurance, but make sure you verify it complies.

I also know that some credit card companies offer it free on gold or platnum cards.

[ML23]

Many people have messaged me asking about the travel medical insurance company I used, so here is the link:

 

Palm Financial

 

Please note that the $25 + gst is based on travelling from Ontario (where I am) for a 1 week stay in Cuba. I'm not sure if that is different for other provinces (or other countries), so please check yourself. The option you would choose is Worldwide coverage except for US. Click on the Buy Now and input your details for a quote.

 

Hope that helps!

[purpleshells]

Got an update from our TA today;

 

All visitors to Cuba must have medical insurance to enter the country from May 1. This travel insurance must cover medical expenses with coverage in Cuba.

 

The insurance policy should be purchased in the traveller’s home country but tourists arriving without proper coverage will be required to purchase an appropriate policy from a Cuban insurance company at the airport, port or marina where they arrive.

 

Travel assistance services in Cuba are provided by Asistur S.A, available 24 hours all year round.

 

All travellers shall present an insurance policy, certificate or traveling assistance card valid for the time they will stay in Cuba.

 

Here is the list of approved Canadian insurance providers as of April 2:

ACM

ASSURED ASSISTANCE (e.g. RBC)

CANASSISTANCE

DESJARDINS (SIGMA-ASSISTEL)

FOX FLIGHT

GLOBAL EXCEL

HEALTH INSURANCE DIVISION

ICMS-WORLDWIDE EMERGENCY ASSIST (TORONTO)

JOHN INGLE INSURANCE

KEEWATIN AIR

MAGNUS POIRIER

MEDICAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION

MONDIAL ASSISTANCE

POLTRUTT & SMITH

SIGMA ASISTEL

SKY SERVICE-FBO INC

WORLD ACCESS, CANADA

WORLD TRAVEL PROTECTION

WORLDWIDE MEDICLAIM

 

Palm Financial is not one of them though ML23...

[ML23]

Purpleshells - Can you ask your TA where they got this approved list from?

 

Here is more info from others regarding this topic:

You will have to purchase health insurance when in Cuba - Cuba Forum - TripAdvisor

[K'osh]

Here's a website that lists all the accepted companies so far by country (possibly where purpleshells agent got the information)

 

List of approved Cuba health insurance providers - Cuba Travel News - Havana Journal

 

Make sure you do a bit of research about the company providing your insurance....my case in point....I have coverage through my company with manulife but manulife is not on the list....on the bottom of my manulife card it states that they are a part of World Access....which is on the list.

 

Good luck everyone!!!

[Lindslou]

K'osh, I also have coverage from work through Manulife. Can you let me know if your card is all that you need to show for coverage when you enter the country. Thanks and enjoy your wedding!!!

[purpleshells]

im also with manulife cant see world access tho??

[K'osh]

Lindslou: I got manulife to type me up a letter stating my name & FI name, coverage amount, stating that they are affiliated with world access and the date of my travel.

 

Purpleshells: Ask your administrator at work if they have an "out of province/country" card. My regular manulife card does not show it either.

[purpleshells]

I asked....we are under access world BUT when we are out of the country its just Manulife.........wth?!?