Travel Insurance for South America

Why should I consider travel insurance to South America ?

The vast expanse of the Andes, the stunning beaches of Rio and the Gaucho cuisine of Argentina – that's just the tip of South American iceberg! However, with food poisoning, the ever-present threat of robbery and theft, there's a lot that can go wrong. That's why TID offers cover for a South American Adventure.

With TID travel insurance you have a number of plans to choose from when planning your South American getaway. Think about all the fun stuff to do in South America, like moving to the beats of samba at Rio Carnival, visiting the beautiful city of Buenos Aires and enjoying a proper asado, or maybe getting that awesome selfie you’ve been wanting at the Atacama desert. 

While the last thing we want is to have to deal with an email or phone call dealing with an emergency or unexpected event, if it does happen then we are here to provide some flexible travel insurance options to you and your loved ones.

Get a quote to get your South American holiday adventure underway today.

TID travel insurance coverage includes:

• Cover for overseas medical expenses
• Medical repatriation if you're severely injured or fall ill abroad.
• Cover for lost, stolen or damaged valuables.
• Cover for lost or delayed baggage.
• Cover for cancellation or trip delay.
• Natural disaster cover

Traveller tip: don’t forget when travelling overseas, your Australian passport must have at least six months before its expiry date. 

Things to look out for when going to South America

Theft and pickpockets

Like anywhere around the world, you’ll need to look out for pickpockets and always keep an eye on your valuables when in South America. While South America is a fun place to visit, and people are very welcoming and friendly, there is always the chance that a thief will strike when you’re not looking.

Always keep an eye on your bags and beware of pickpockets in the major cities such as Lima, Rio, Santiago, and Medellin to name a few. Do not leave your possessions unattended as bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars is common in many larger cities. In some cities violent crime is an issue and it is wise to stay with others when exploring, especially at night. Keep copies or originals of receipts for any gear and valuables that you purchase.

Severe weather events

Depending on when you visit South America, you’ll need to be aware of possible severe weather events such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes. You can keep a track of travel warnings and alerts here.

While the climate can vary throughout South America depending on where you are visiting and what time of year your going- Northern countries are generally more tropical, some others have very dry and moderate weather and in the Central regions, while the Southern parts of the continent are mostly cooler as you get closer to Patagonia.

Traveller tip: always refer to the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website for current travel alerts affecting any country in South America, any vaccination requirements, before you buy a policy, before you leave Australia, and during your travels.

Stay hydrated and beware of food poisoning 

We recommend that you don’t drink tap water while in South America. Always be mindful that water-borne, food-borne, parasitic, and other infectious diseases (including, Hep A and B, cholera, malaria, yellow fever and typhoid fever) are prevalent in many countries across South America. Please note that this is not medical advice but just a recommendation by the TID team.

If you’re a foodie and your thinking of taking on some delicious street food or planning on drinking various beverages whether alcoholic (vino, cerveza, or pisco anyone?) or non-alcoholic drinks, you may want to be careful where you choose to eat and always drink in moderation. While street food or local restaurants food is for the most part clean and cheap, you may want to be mindful when giving in to the temptation of street food as you could end up stuck on a toilet for days rather than out exploring the vistas or meeting the locals.

We recommend you stick to drinking bottled water, wash your hands before eating, and be cautious of ice, unwashed or unpeeled fruit and uncooked vegetables.

Prepare for altitude sickness if you’re hiking or visiting Bolivia and Peru

If you’re planning to travel to Bolivia and Peru, you’ll most likely need to be prepared to experience altitude sickness, which can be both unpleasant and dangerous.

Always have altitude sickness tablets in your backpack and drink plenty of water. Eating carbohydrate-rich foods may also help (of which there are plenty to choose from like empanadas, churros or pan amasado), as can walking slowly to give your body a chance to adjust to the higher altitude.