Cuba Medical Insurance
As many of you are aware there has been a new Legislation passed by the Cuban Authorities regarding mandatory travel and medical insurance for visitors arriving into Cuba from the 1st May 2010.
We recognize that the information has been limited and a number of valid questions posed, which so far have not been answered by the Cuban Authorities, therefore we are in a position to provide the best possible guidance as follows.
1 ) What does the Legislation say?
The new legislation states that all arrivals into Cuba from 1st MAY
onwards must be in possession of a valid Insurance policy that provides both travel and medical insurance cover.
That visitors must obtain the travel insurance from a "recognized" travel and medical insurance provider in the UK and other markets (list by country).
That visitors who arrive in Cuba without travel and medical insurance must then purchase the relevant insurance cover on arrival
at the airport.
2 ) Why we think the new legislation has been put in place ?
It appears that the main focus of the new legislation is the US Market
and Cuban American market and their arrivals into Cuba. It is apparent
that all US Travel Insurance companies do NOT offer coverage for Cuba in
their policies and so all these arrivals into Cuba are not covered by
Travel or Medical Insurance.
3 ) What will happen ?
We have been reassured by all the relevant authorities in Cuba that
despite the new legislation there will be very little impact for
arrivals from the various European markets .
We have been reassured that the vast majority of arrivals will continue
to pass through the airport as usual and that only a very small
percentage of arrivals COULD be asked to provide proof that they have a
valid Insurance policy for their stay in Cuba.
We have been reassured that if any arrivals are asked for their
policies, as long as they show some proof they have insurance cover this
will suffice.
Of course we are aware that many people are provided with annual
insurance cover through their banks, or credit card companies or other
organizations. It appears that the authorities are now aware of this
fact and so have advised that as long as the client can show any proof
they have insurance cover this will be fine (E.g. banks sometimes give
confirmation letters or booklets listing the various benefits to clients).
4 ) Accredited Insurance Companies
Whilst a list of "accredited" insurance companies have been issued by
the Cuban authorities it is evident that in reality very few actually
act as Insurance companies. For the UK market list it appears that only
about 5 or 6 companies on the list are involved in Travel and Medical
Insurance.
Therefore we have again been reassured by the authorities that as long
as the clients have Travel Insurance which has medical cover and that
Cuba is included in the coverage area then this would be fine.
5) Purchase of Insurance Cover in Cuba
It has been indicated that Insurance can be purchased locally in Cuba
if clients arrive without their own cover, or the authorities request
that Insurance is purchased locally.
Companies such as Havanatur , Cubanacan , Cubatur and Gaviota are
listed as those that will be selling Insurance at the airports in Havana
for clients who require the cover.
At the time of writing there has been no indication on the likely price
of the Insurance policy sold as from 1st May, however at the moment
Havanatur is selling an Insurance policy to US visitors for between 2
and 3 CUC per person per day.
However there are some indications that the Insurance sold from 1ST
May could be more expensive that the current quoted costs and if we hear
more information in the next week we will advise you immediately.
In the meantime if you have any further questions or worries, please do
not hesitate to ask and we will endeavour to answer you.
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