Chile Travel Insurance Guide

Chile Travel Insurance

Everything you need to know before your trip

Healthcare Cost Level
High
Avg. ER Visit
$800
Recommended Coverage
$250,000
Evacuation Risk
Moderate

Healthcare in Chile

What to expect if you need medical care

Chile offers good quality healthcare, particularly in private facilities where you'll likely receive treatment as a tourist. The good news is that English availability is generally good in major hospitals and clinics, making communication easier during medical emergencies. However, private healthcare costs are high—expect to pay around $800 for an emergency room visit and $1,200 per day if hospitalization is needed. Public healthcare facilities have limited access for tourists, so you'll be directed to private providers. In major cities like Santiago and Valparaíso, you'll find modern medical facilities with well-trained staff. Remote areas like Patagonia and the Atacama Desert have fewer medical resources, meaning serious conditions may require evacuation to urban centers for proper treatment.

What Your Policy Should Cover

Country-specific considerations for Chile

Your policy should prioritize emergency medical evacuation coverage, especially if you're visiting remote areas like Patagonia or the Atacama Desert where helicopter evacuation may be necessary. Chile's geographical diversity creates specific risks: altitude sickness from high-altitude destinations, volcanic activity, seismic events, and extreme weather in Patagonia—all presenting moderate year-round risks. If you're planning adventure activities, scrutinize your policy carefully. Mountaineering and high-altitude activities may be excluded or require specialized coverage add-ons. Volcano tourism is popular but volcanic activity exclusions are common, so verify this coverage explicitly. Remote trekking requires robust emergency evacuation provisions. Ensure your policy covers medical expenses at private facilities and includes comprehensive emergency evacuation from wilderness areas to urban medical centers.
Altitude Sickness
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Volcanic Activity
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Seismic Activity
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Extreme Weather In Patagonia
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round

Activity-Specific Coverage

Mountaineering: High altitude activities may be excluded or require specialized coverage
Volcano Tourism: Volcanic activity exclusions common, verify coverage
Remote Trekking: Emergency evacuation coverage essential for Patagonia and Atacama regions

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

Our recommendation based on Chile's healthcare costs

The recommended $250,000 coverage reflects Chile's high private healthcare costs and moderate evacuation risks. While a single ER visit costs $800, a serious injury or illness requiring hospitalization quickly escalates—just one week in hospital reaches $8,400 in facility costs alone. Factor in helicopter evacuation from remote Patagonian or Atacama locations, specialist consultations, and potential medical repatriation, and costs can easily reach six figures. The minimum $100,000 provides basic protection, but $250,000 offers adequate coverage for serious medical emergencies combined with complex evacuations from Chile's challenging terrain.
Minimum
$100,000
Basic emergencies only

Making a Claim in Chile

Tips for smooth claims processing

Documentation Required: Medical reports in Spanish or English, receipts, police reports for theft/accidents, embassy contact for major incidents
  • Keep all medical receipts and request detailed invoices—Chilean healthcare providers typically issue documentation in Spanish or English, both accepted for claims
  • Obtain comprehensive medical reports before leaving Chile, as your insurer will need detailed documentation of diagnosis, treatment, and costs
  • For theft or accidents, file a police report immediately and get a copy—this documentation is required for related insurance claims
  • Save your embassy's contact information; for major medical incidents, embassy notification may be required and they can assist with documentation
  • Expect moderate claims difficulty—prepare for thorough documentation requirements and keep copies of everything in both physical and digital formats

Get Covered for Chile

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