Traveling to North Korea requires a little more planning than usual, especially when it comes to travel insurance. The closed-off nature of the country means you’ll need coverage that specifically allows for trips to destinations like North Korea. Most standard travel insurance won’t outright cover you here, so it’s important to choose your plan carefully.
Why Do You Need Travel Insurance for North Korea?
Travel insurance is essential because getting medical help in North Korea can be challenging. Foreigners are often taken to Pyongyang’s Friendship Hospital, which is exclusively for them. But, if something serious happens, many people are evacuated from the country. That can get expensive, and travel insurance is what saves you from those costs.
Types of Travel Insurance You’ll Need
Medical Coverage
This is probably the most important one. While you may not plan on getting sick or hurt, accidents happen. The healthcare available in North Korea for foreigners is very basic. If something more serious happens, you’re likely to be evacuated to China or South Korea for treatment.
Make sure your policy covers medical evacuation. If not, you could be stuck paying a huge bill to get proper medical care outside the country. A good policy will cover at least $500,000 in medical evacuation alone.
Flight Coverage
Flights in and out of North Korea can be unpredictable due to international sanctions and limited airlines. Airlines like Air Koryo have very few flights, and delays can happen without any real warning. Flight coverage will help you if your flight is canceled or delayed for any reason, especially if it forces you to change your itinerary.
Baggage Coverage
If you lose your luggage or if it’s delayed, it can be a huge headache, especially in a country like North Korea where you can’t just walk down the street and find a replacement shop for everything. Good baggage coverage will help you recover those costs or give you a daily allowance if your bags don’t arrive on time.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
With political tensions and strict regulations constantly changing, your trip to North Korea could get canceled at any moment. If the government decides to close borders or if flights into the country are banned, you’re stuck. Trip cancellation insurance will help protect the investment you’ve made in your flights, tours, and other trip-related costs.
Personal Liability Insurance
While uncommon, this type of insurance may come in handy if you accidentally damage property or cause harm to someone during your trip. North Korea has very strict rules, and an honest mistake could involve officials. Personal liability insurance helps protect you in such scenarios.
Top Travel Insurance Providers for North Korea
Choosing the right provider is critical to ensuring you have the proper coverage while visiting North Korea. Most of the big-name insurance companies allow travel to such destinations but check the fine print to make sure it’s explicitly covered.
1. World Nomads
World Nomads is a favorite among backpackers and long-term travelers, and they specifically cover regions like North Korea. Their plans are flexible and can be bought while already on the road.
They offer coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, delayed baggage, and medical evacuation. Their policies are customizable, so you can choose a level of coverage that fits your needs and budget. Their customer service is also reliable with 24/7 assistance.
2. VisitorsCoverage
VisitorsCoverage is one of the biggest names in the travel insurance industry, and they offer comprehensive plans that cover travel to North Korea. Their policies often include health, baggage, and flight protection. They offer different levels of service depending on how much coverage you want. This makes it easy to adjust the policy to any trip size.
VisitorsCoverage has solid customer support and can help coordinate medical evacuations if necessary. Make sure your plan covers everything you think you’ll need by opting for their premium plan.
3. SafetyWing
SafetyWing is geared toward digital nomads and long-term travelers, but they offer insurance that covers unique destinations like North Korea. They have affordable plans that cover medical needs and emergency evacuation, which is crucial for a trip to North Korea.
What’s great is they automatically renew each month if you’re away for an extended period. If you’re planning a visit to North Korea as part of a longer trip, this is a seamless option.
4. Faye Global
Faye Global provides a wide range of insurance policies that include trips to places like North Korea. Their plans are global and comprehensive, covering everything from emergency medical evacuations to trip interruption.
Faye has a strong reputation, and their website makes it easy to compare various plans based on your specific needs. Their plans are also flexible, allowing coverage to be purchased for just the exact days you’re traveling.
5. InsureMyTrip
InsureMyTrip is a comparison tool that allows you to compare different insurance offers across various companies. This makes it easier to find a policy that covers trips to places like North Korea. By using their filtering tools, you can key in your needs and get multiple quotes from recognized companies.
This option is great if you like to shop around and compare insurance based on price, coverage, and customer reviews. They offer a wide variety of plans, including policies with emergency evacuation and medical coverage.
What to Look for When Choosing Travel Insurance for North Korea
Ensure “North Korea” is Covered in the Policy
Not all travel insurance policies explicitly cover every country. Some companies might exclude North Korea, so don’t overlook this detail. Read through the policy carefully to make sure the country is included in their coverage.
Medical Evacuation Coverage
North Korea’s healthcare system for foreigners is very basic. In case of serious illness or injury, you’ll be evacuated to a neighboring country. Ensure that your insurance provides adequate coverage for medical evacuation. Costs for evacuation can skyrocket, so aim for a policy that covers at least $500,000.
Coverage Limits
Check how much coverage is provided for medical expenses, baggage loss, trip delays, and other specifics. Some policies may offer a lower cap, which may not be enough to cover the expenses that arise, especially in a country like North Korea. Opt for mid-to-high range coverage just to be safe.
24/7 Customer Support
Emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Choose a provider that offers 24/7 customer support. You never know when you’ll need immediate help or advice, and it’s always comforting knowing someone is ready to assist at any time.
Reading the Exclusions
Most travel insurance comes with exclusions. Read the fine print to make sure you understand what’s not covered. This can help avoid any surprises later if you need to make a claim.
Flexibility for Cancelation
Due to the unpredictable nature of travel to North Korea, you should always look for a policy with flexible cancellation coverage. This mostly applies to flight interruptions, government-imposed travel bans, or unforeseen closure of the country’s borders.
Final Tips for Buying Travel Insurance
Before purchasing your travel insurance, read the terms and conditions to make sure North Korea is part of the coverage. If it’s not, look elsewhere.
Ensure your policy has medical evacuation coverage, especially if you’re visiting a place like North Korea where healthcare options for foreigners are limited. It’s always better to pay a little more for those higher evacuation limits.
Bundle different types of coverage if possible. The medical costs, travel delays, and lost baggage can all add up. A bundled plan will save you money in the long run and offer peace of mind.
And finally, don’t skim over the fine details. Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you don’t have to use, but if you need it, it’s a lifesaver.
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