Travel insurance for Egypt

How safe it is to travel to Egypt depends on where you’re travelling in the country.¹ Due to ongoing conflict in the area, the Australian Government advises you to exercise a high level of caution when travelling anywhere in Egypt due to the potential risk of terrorist activity or serious crime. This includes popular tourist areas such as Cairo, the Nile and Sharm el Sheikh.

Parts of Egypt are listed as ‘Do not travel’ locations by Smartraveller, while others are listed as ‘Reconsider your need to travel’. The lowest level of travel advice for Egypt at the time of writing was ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’.

Due to the risks of travelling to Egypt, staying up-to-date with the latest travel advice is essential. Check the Smartraveller website before you leave and while you are in Egypt, as the level of travel warnings can change quickly.

Egypt is full of amazing sites including:

• the Pyramids of Giza
• Luxor
• the Red Sea
• some of the world’s oldest, most beautiful mosques.

If you’re planning to travel to Egypt for a single trip, consider looking for travel insurance which includes the following cover:

Medical treatment and emergency services

While overseas, you won’t be able to access your private health insurance or Medicare, so you’ll need travel insurance to help cover unexpected medical expenses. Australia does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Egypt, and you might be unable to access the local public hospital system.

If you get sick or injured in Egypt, even if you have travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical expenses, you may have to pay for all medical costs out-of-pocket regardless of your level of cover. Always contact your insurer’s 24 hour emergency assistance provider if you are injured or become ill and require medical assistance.

Depending on your travel insurance cover, your policy may include medical cover such as:

• Medical treatment for injuries and illnesses (including COVID-19)
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• 24/7 emergency assistance.

Be aware that the quality and availability of Egyptian healthcare will vary depending on where you are in the country.¹ Cairo has healthcare facilities that can handle most standard illnesses, however, in more remote locations, healthcare is more basic.

Payment will often be required upfront, and treatment can be pricey.¹ If you suffer a severe injury, illness or medical emergency in a remote area, you’ll need to be evacuated to an adequate facility, which can be very expensive.

It’s crucial to ensure your travel insurance will provide you with the cover you need for medical treatment and medical evacuation. Otherwise, you may end up paying hefty out-of-pocket expenses.

Trip cancellations, delays and travel disruptions

It’s worth checking whether your travel insurance plan includes cancellation cover. Travel insurance with cancellation cover can help reimburse you for pre-paid or non-refundable expenses, including accommodation, transport, activities and more, if you need to cancel your trip for unexpected circumstances.

As soon as you purchase travel insurance, you’ll be covered by your policy’s cancellation cover for any cancellations that are due to unforeseen circumstances. All policies differ so it’s important to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so that you understand your policy’s cover. Purchasing travel insurance after you need to cancel your trip will lead to your claim being rejected.

Lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings

Losing your possessions is stressful at the best of times, let alone when you’re in another country. Taking out insurance may not bring your belongings back, but it can help reimburse your loss. Items covered can include:

• cash
• credit cards
• passports and travel documents.

Be aware that some situations can void your claim, for example, if your belongings were left unattended in a public space and they were stolen.

Natural Disasters

Egypt is susceptible to natural disasters, including earthquakes and sandstorms.¹ Natural disasters can seriously affect your travels, including cancelled flights or leaving you stranded. Depending on your level of cover, you may be covered for expenses such as accommodation or flights. This may need to be purchased as an add-on. For your claim to succeed, this add-on must be purchased before the natural disaster takes place.

No matter how comprehensive your travel insurance is, there will be some losses you won’t be covered for. While every policy is different, some of the most common exclusions include:

• Illegal or reckless behaviour: If the claim you’re making involves an incident where you broke the law or resulted from you acting recklessly, your insurer may reject it.
• Terrorism and civil unrest: Egypt is vulnerable to terrorist attacks, especially in certain regions. Your insurance may not cover incidents caused by war, invasion, civil war or terrorism, regardless of where these incidents take place.
• Ignoring Government Advisories: If you knowingly travel to an area where the advice from the Australian Government is ‘Do not travel’ or do not take this advice, such as getting necessary vaccinations, your claims will likely be rejected.
• Intoxication: Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the incident you’re claiming for, may void your claim.
• Unattended luggage: Any luggage left unsupervised in a public space may not be covered.
• Undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions: Depending on the condition, you may not be covered for anything caused by an unrevealed medical issue.
• Adventure travel: Claims involving extreme sports or adventure travel may not be covered unless you have an add-on to your policy.