South Korea is considered a low-risk destination, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can skip travel insurance. Lost luggage, delayed flights, a twisted ankle on a mountain trail or an unexpected hospital trip can quickly turn your expensive dream holiday into one that breaks the bank. Here’s what to look for before you hit “buy” on a travel insurance policy.
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Medical insurance cover should be the priority
South Korea has an excellent healthcare system, but treatment isn’t free for visitors. Look for a policy with at least £5 million in emergency medical cover, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation. While medical evacuation is unlikely in major cities like Seoul or Busan, repatriation following a serious illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds, not the sort of costs you’d never want to pay yourself.
Fun Fact: Travel Insurance from worldwideinsure.com comes with access to a 24/7 multilingual helpline as standard. That means if you need translation help during a medical emergency, we will be right by your side when you need it most.
Protect your tech with gadget insurance
You’ll probably be travelling with a phone, wireless earbuds, an e-book, maybe a camera, a laptop or tablet and enough chargers to open a small electronics shop. And it will take the days takings of one to replace everything should it be lost, damaged, or stolen!
Check your travel insurance policy for single-item limits as well as overall baggage cover. A £2,000 baggage allowance sounds generous until you discover it only pays £300 for one lost phone. You may want to upgrade your travel insurance to provide more specific cover, or get dedicated gadget insurance for your trip. But until you check, you just won’t know!
Check all your planned activities are covered
If you’ve got plans to tackle scenic trails, hit the surf, hire a scooter, or fly through the sky paragliding, you need to check that your travel insurance covers these activities. And you need to advise your policy provider that you’ll be doing them as some policies exclude certain sports unless you’ve declared them or paid for specific cover.
Fun Fact: Our travel insurance covers a whole host of adventurous activities as standard. Others can be added when buying your policy. From Abseiling to Zorbing see what sports and activities our travel insurance covers!
Get cancellation and curtailment cover
Long-haul holidays don’t come cheap. Between flights, hotels, tours and airport transfers, you’ve probably invested quite a bit before you’ve even packed your suitcase.
Good cancellation cover means you’re protected if illness or another unexpected event stops you travelling, while curtailment cover helps if you need to head home early.
Tips to avoid a travel insurance claim
Stay safe
The great thing about South Korea is that crime levels are generally low, and many visitors comment on just how safe they feel walking around, even in the evening.
That doesn’t mean common sense goes out the window, though. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy shopping districts, avoid leaving valuables unattended in cafés, and don’t carry more cash than you need.
If you’re enjoying Korea’s famous nightlife, remember that drinking too much can sometimes affect an insurance claim if alcohol contributed to an accident. Enjoy the soju, but know your limits.
Be weather-wise
In South Korea summer is hot, humid and can bring heavy rain or even typhoons, while winters can be surprisingly cold with snow and icy conditions. Pack for the season you’re visiting and keep an eye on weather forecasts if you’re planning outdoor adventures. Finally, always tell someone where you are going so they can send help if you don’t return as expected.
Get apps to make your trip smoother
Avoid getting lost, taking a ride with an unlicensed provider, or wandering into dangerous areas with these essential apps for South Korea:
- Naver Map – often more accurate than Google Maps in South Korea
- Kakao T – great for booking taxis
- Papago – brilliant for translating signs, menus and conversations
The biggest mistake many travellers make is assuming that because South Korea feels incredibly safe, basic insurance is enough. A good policy should focus on comprehensive medical cover, protection for expensive electronics, and any adventure activities planned.
Make sure that your only worry is figuring out how many skincare products you can squeeze into your suitcase on the way home!
Get an instant online travel insurance quote or call us on 01892833338 to get the cover you need for your South Korean adventure.