Indonesia’s pristine beaches, dramatic natural landscapes, incredible cuisine, and vibrant cultural traditions puts this destination high on the bucket list for many travelers. This stunning collection of islands is a wonderful place to both relax and experience new flavors and unique cultures.
If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, you’re probably scouring social media for the most beautiful turquoise beaches on Bali or researching the best historic Buddhist and Hindu temples to see in Java. Most likely, you’re not spending a great deal of time searching the Internet about the ins and outs of travel insurance and how to best protect yourself from the uncertainties of travel.
That’s why we’ve put this handy guide together, which will break down what a travel insurance policy is and reasons why it’s a good idea to have one for your trip to Indonesia. We’ll also provide some useful tips and suggestions which will help you prepare for your trip.
Do I Need Insurance to Travel to Indonesia?
It’s a good idea to have comprehensive travel insurance whenever you travel, but it may be especially beneficial when traveling to Indonesia. Although they don’t happen all the time, earthquakes and tsunamis do happen every now and then. Indonesia is part of the Ring of Fire – a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and large amounts of earthquake activity.
Having travel insurance can give you a sense of ease knowing that you’ll be protected in the event of a natural disaster during your visit. Travel insurance can provide medical assistance and evacuation and it can also offer reimbursement for trip costs if an unexpected natural disaster hits before your trip.
In addition, tap water in Indonesia may have different standards than your home country. Tap water is not always safe to drink and travel medical insurance can help pay for your emergency medical coverage if you were to get sick while traveling in Indonesia. Although you may have medical insurance in your home country, it generally won’t cover you while you’re traveling abroad.
Also, no matter how well you plan your trip, things can go wrong. Road accidents may happen, and tour companies go out of business and having a comprehensive travel plan can protect you from unexpected travel occurrences.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Travel insurance is designed to cover non-refundable travel costs for trips that need to be cancelled or delayed due to unforeseen and unexpected events such as job loss, a death in the family, or natural disasters. Travel insurance may also cover medical expenses, medical evacuation, and baggage loss or delay.
Coverage varies by plan and may not include medical expenses due to pre-existing conditions, injuries related to extreme sports, or just changing your mind about traveling. Each plan has its own inclusion and exclusion criteria, so you’ll want to read the policy to understand what is and is not covered before you buy.
For the highest amount of protection, you can purchase a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) plan, which can reimburse you up to 75% of the total costs of your trip if you would like to cancel for any reason at all. Most standard travel insurance plans will let you upgrade to CFAR coverage for an additional fee, but this extra coverage is typically something you must choose soon after making your first trip payment.
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for My Trip to Indonesia?
The cost of travel insurance to Indonesia can vary widely based on the level of coverage you choose, the age of travelers, and the length of your trip. In general, you can expect to spend between 4-10% of your total non-refundable trip costs. This means you can expect to spend between $100 and $250 for a trip that costs $2,500 in prepaid, non-refundable expenses. CFAR plans will cost you extra.
It’s important to shop around when it comes to purchasing a travel insurance plan. It’s not only important to compare rates but also the level of coverage the plan provides. This will ensure you find the right travel insurance for your trip.
Indonesia Travel Tips
Now that you’ve got the basics of travel insurance down, you can get back to planning your trip. To help you with your planning, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you be well-prepared for your trip to Indonesia.
Know the Currency – The Indonesian Rupiah is the currency of Indonesia. It’s used all over Indonesia and ATMs are widely available at airports, shopping centers, and rural banks. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted at most places in major cities, so you don’t have to carry too much cash with you in these areas. If you’re traveling to smaller towns and more remote areas, you’ll want to have enough cash on hand in case you can’t find an ATM, or they don’t take credit cards.
Pack Lightly -What you pack will depend on where you are going and what kinds of activities you plan to do. Much of Indonesia is tropical so you will not need much in terms of cold weather gear. Pack clothing made from breathable and lightweight fabrics, so you stay comfortable in Indonesia’s hot and humid climate. Most travelers get around in sandals, but you’ll want to pack some lightweight hikers if you plan to do any trekking.
Be Sun Smart – If you burn easily, pack long sleeve shirts made from sun protective fabrics and a wide-brimmed hat. Also, pack plenty of high SPF sunscreen and lip balm and remember to reapply even on cloudy days when the sun can still be deceivingly strong.
Don’t Forget the Rain Gear and Bug Spray – Indonesia has two seasons – a wet and a dry one. If you’re traveling during the peak of the rainy season from November through March, you’ll want to for sure bring along some rain gear. Weather can vary between islands so it’s a good idea to check the specific climate information for the island you’re traveling to. If you’re planning to explore any of the forest or jungles, you won’t want to forget some bug spray.
Drink Bottled Water Only – To reduce the chance of testing out your travel insurance plan’s medical coverage, it’s best to stick to bottled water in Indonesia. Tap water should only be consumed after boiling or filtering. To cut down on plastic use, purchase filtered water in gallon jugs or larger and fill your own reusable water bottle.
Top 10 Popular Destinations in Indonesia
Located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. There are over 17,000 islands to explore here and nearly 6,000 of them are uninhabited. Indonesia is a country with rich and incredibly varied cultural customs, and it has been influenced by a multitude of religious traditions including Islam, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and more.
It’s hard to choose where to go among so many beautiful choices, but here are some recommendations:
- Bali
- Raja Ampat Islands
- Lombok
- Sumatra
- Flores Island
- Gili Islands
- Nusa Islands
- Torajaland
- Yogyakarta
- Mentawai Islands
Top 5 Unique Places to Visit in Indonesia
- Bunaken National Marine Park
- Mount Bromo
- Komodo National Park
- Lake Toba
- Goa Gong
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