When to arrange insurance
Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all travellers and is not included in the price of your trip.
We would recommend that you arrange insurance directly after booking, not only to protect your investment as soon as possible but also because some insurance policies may offer a reduced level of coverage if not purchased shortly after paying your deposit.
What your travel policy should include
Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
Iceberg reflections in Scoresbysund
Hiker explores the dramatic scenery of Spitsbergen
Surveying the misty landscape of the 14th July Glacier
Swoop Arctic is unable to provide travel insurance recommendations due to UK regulations. However, we are happy to discuss your needs with you and to share other customers' experiences.
When reviewing your intended insurance package there are a number of standard requirements that we think every good travel policy should include:
- Cancellation, delayed departure and curtailment/interruption costs
- Financial failure of agent or operator
- Emergency medical and other expenses including medical evacuation, repatriation and cover for any pre-existing medical conditions
- We anticipate that your policy will need to explicitly include coverage for Covid-19 related claims including medical and quarantine costs, as well as trip cancellation or curtailment due to Covid-19
- Hospital inconvenience benefit
- Personal accident
- Death
- Loss of limb(s)/sight
- Permanent total disablement
- Delayed/lost baggage or lost passport
- Lost personal money or documents
- Personal liability cover
- Disruption including airspace closure
- Missed departure/connection
- Travel risks such as hijack/mugging etc
- Legal expenses
Please note these are general guidelines. For more detailed information on what is required for your specific voyage please refer to your operator's terms and conditions, and consider your own individual needs and circumstances. It is also important to check whether your insurance will cover you in the event of any changes to governmental travel advisories which are relevant to your trip.
Swoop says
You will need an insurance policy that includes Emergency Repatriation Cover for a minimum of $100,000 USD, however, some specialist departures will require cover up to $200,000 USD. It is important that you check this in advance.
Topics to discuss with your insurer
Here are some considerations for you to talk through with your insurer prior to purchasing your insurance policy. Please note that this is not an exclusive list and you should ensure that you discuss any relevant personal circumstances which may apply to your insurance purchase.
- Is this policy valid for travel to countries or activities (such as cruising) subject to a US State Department travel advisory Level 4 (which is Level 4 prior to booking the policy and entering the country e.g. not that become Level 4 during your trip)?
In our experience, many policies will cover you for travel to a Level 4 country, but will not cover you if you wish to cancel the trip because of a state advisory change or for “fear of travel” reasons. - Does this policy include cancellation coverage should I need to cancel the trip due to a positive Covid-19 test prior to or during travel, and does it cover medical costs incurred as a result of Covid-19?
- Does the policy include cover for trip interruption?
For example, if you are required to quarantine during your travels, either as a result of personally contracting Covid-19 or being affected by other nearby positive travellers. Would the policy cover “lost/curtailed days” along with any charges for rescheduling other impacted travel arrangements such as flights and hotels. - Does the cancellation coverage amount cover the full cost of the expedition cruise (plus any flights and hotel arrangements booked separately)?
It’s important to check that there is no maximum coverage limit, or that your trip cost does not exceed any maximum amount. - Is a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy available and what are the terms and conditions?
This may give you greater flexibility and coverage. - Does the policy cover any specific requirements set out by your operator?
This may include mandatory emergency evacuation coverage to a certain value.
Carola says
Having the right insurance for your adventure gives you peace of mind before and during your travels. Taking time to research options and scrutinise the details is a worthwhile investment!
Carola Zorzoli Polar Customer Experience Coordinator
Insurance according to nationality
Swoop Antarctica is unable to provide travel insurance recommendations due to UK regulations. However, we are happy to discuss your needs with you and to share other customers' experiences.
When choosing an insurance provider, please refer to your operator's terms and conditions and consider your own individual needs and circumstances.
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Insurance for North American travellers
For travel insurance providers, past customers of ours have used the following companies, who you may like to contact for a quote:
- Cat70
- Tin Leg
- HTH Travel Insurance
- Travel Guard
- Travelex
- Arch - RoamRight
- Allianz
- Squaremouth (comparison site)
Do check that your policy would remain valid in the event of a Level 4 travel advisory.
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Insurance for UK travellers
For travel insurance providers, past customers of ours have used the following companies, who you may like to contact for a quote: