Is travel insurance compulsory for travel to Russia?
The answer is yes! In order to travel to Russia, you’ll need to take out travel insurance. It is a prerequisite for obtaining your visa. In order to travel to Russia, you’ll need a certificate proving that you have taken out travel insurance. This document must clearly state that you are traveling to the Russian Federation, along with the dates and names of the travelers. The slightest mistake in a name or date will result in a visa refusal. We recommend that you request this document in English, to make the process easier. Your insurance must cover repatriation and medical expenses of at least €30,000. These two obligations must be specified in your certificate for it to be valid. Our advisors can help you make sure you are fully covered.
Which insurance should I choose?
First of all, we strongly advise you to take out a health insurance policy known as “health, assistance and repatriation insurance”: it’s the most comprehensive and offers basic cover. You can then add additional coverage. It is also advisable to take out health insurance from the 1st euro, so that you are reimbursed 100% of your actual expenses without having to pay in advance. You should also check that the maximum benefit is in line with that required to obtain your visa.
Additional coverage
You can take out additional options with your insurance company to ensure your peace of mind during your trip. These additional coverages include:
- Protection of your luggage against theft
- Cancellation insurance: with maximum compensation per person, which varies according to the insurer. The reason for cancellation may also be taken into account by the insurer.
- Flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding insurance. Refund conditions may also vary, such as the number of hours of delay, cancellation of a flight less than a certain number of days before departure, or denied boarding due to overbooking.
- Civil and legal liability
Medical expenses and hospitalization
Social security or the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) do not apply to foreign travel outside the European Union. It is therefore essential to cover your medical expenses if you need to travel to Russia. When taking out your travel insurance, it’s important to check that you will be covered for pre-existing and unstabilized illnesses, known as exclusions. Your travel insurance may also cover reimbursement of dental and optical expenses incurred in an emergency or accident.
How much will it cost me?
The price of travel health insurance depends on the country you are visiting, your age and the options you wish to take out. For 10 days in the country, for a person aged 30 or under, you’ll need to spend between €25 and €70. For a person aged 64 or over staying for 30 days (the maximum number of days allowed with a tourist card), you’ll need to pay between €40 and €140. Use the santexpat.fr health insurance comparator to find the health insurance best suited to your needs. We compare several players on the market, such as Chapka, ACS and Assur Travel. You can also apply for a PVT in Russia. As withAustralia, you’ll need to take out international health insurance to cover potential medical expenses. This insurance is different from travel insurance. Our experts will be happy to discuss with you the options best suited to your needs. Consult our website to find your cheap Russian travel insurance.
