Learn how insurance can help American travelers island hopping across the Philippines.
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From iconic landscapes like the Chocolate Hills of Bohol to lively late-night parties in Manila, Americans can experience so much in the Philippines. Foodies will love all of the delicious Filipino street food, culture seekers will enjoy a visit to the Banaue Rice Terraces, and wildlife lovers may get lucky enough to spot one of the fascinating leopard cats.
There are so many great things to do in the Philippines, but there’s also some things to be aware of. We encourage you to check out our tips on what to look out for when traveling to the Philippines. You may also want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance coverage* for the unexpected things that can happen during your travels.
A trip to the Philippines can bring all sorts of unexpected surprises - like the waterfall you stumble upon on your hike to the tranquil sulfur springs in Dauin.
Some surprises that come along when traveling outside of the US are not as great though. Nobody wants to think about things like cancelled trips, delayed baggage and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If you fall and get hurt while hiking Mount Talinis or the US government issues a ‘do not travel’ alert after an earthquake there, you may then wish you had travel insurance for the Philippines.
There are four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best travel protection plan for your needs.
Your adventures in the Philippines may take you from the tops of the mountains or to the bottom of the ocean. It may even take you underground to the Puerto Princesa Underground River. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to the Philippines - including hiking, scuba diving, sailing through remote islands or ziplining in Boracay.
Think about the types of activities you’ll be doing while you’re there. Not all adventures are covered under every plan so it’s helpful to have an idea of what you’ll be doing before you get a quote An advance plan will help you choose the best insurance coverage for your trip—and make sure even your most daring adventure is protected.
Before you take off on your adventure to the Philippines, we recommend that you make an appointment with Runway Health— an online travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. The telehealth service offers affordable online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain any necessary vaccinations or medications, such as medication to help with mosquito-borne illnesses and traveler’s diarrhea.
Scuba diving is a favorite pastime in the Philippines and while accidents are rare, sometimes unexpected things happen. If you get decompression sickness while diving the reefs in the province of Negros Oriental, emergency medical coverage could reimburse you for your medical expenses. It could also come in handy if you get food poisoning or get injured in a car accident while in the Philippines.
If you have a medical emergency after you’ve left the US, you must call our 24/7 emergency assistance team before seeking medical attention. They can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. You’ll need to call and report your emergency as soon as it happens, or as soon as you’re able. If you are unable to call, have someone call on your behalf. Also remember to save all paperwork and receipts.
If your attending physician and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team thinks it’s best for you to travel back home to the United States for treatment, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for the Philippines may cover the costs to get you there.
Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip.
The Philippine islands are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and there’s always a possibility that natural disasters can affect your travels. There are several active volcanoes in the Philippines, with several of them located on Luzon Island. If your flight is canceled because of a volcanic ash cloud and you must cancel your whole trip as a result, your travel insurance for the Philippines could help you be reimbursed for unused non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance.
World Nomads Travel Insurance could help if you’re already on your trip and something happens. For example, you may need to go back to the US early if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency or dies. Make sure to keep all documentation and receipts for things you paid for in advance-you’ll need those if you make a claim.
The Explorer and Epic Plans also cover for various travel inconveniences you may encounter, if you purchased your plan during the time-sensitive period. Say you’re on a cruise to several Filipino islands and you miss a port call due to inclement weather. Your World Nomads insurance plan for the Philippines may reimburse you for this annoyance. Remember to keep proof of the incident in order to make a claim.
With the Philippines consisting of more than 7,000 islands, you’ll be basking in the sun on some of the world’s best beaches. That means you’ll likely have several new swimsuits to show off. What happens though if your bag doesn’t arrive when you do?
If you’re lucky, your bag just took a detour, but even a delayed bag can be stressful. The baggage coverage included in your travel insurance for the Philippines may reimburse you for the cost to replace your swimsuits and other belongings, if they’ve been delayed for 12 hours or more, or lost for good.
If this happens, the first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
For the most part, Filipinos are friendly, welcoming people. There are some places American travelers should avoid when travelling to the Philippines, but even in more touristy areas, pickpocketing can happen. You’ll want to be especially cautious when you’re in crowded areas or when using public transportation. Avoid putting anything valuable in your back pockets and never take your hands off your bags. And as tempting as it can be to wear your bling out on the town, you’re better off leaving that in the safe in your hotel room. Flashy jewelry can get attention from the wrong people.
Your travel insurance benefits for the Philippines may assist with reimbursement for stolen items (up to your policy limits). If you’re robbed, just make sure you file a police report and save a copy - you’ll need that if you have to make a claim.
Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for the Philippines to review their up to date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time, from adverse weather to unstable political situations.
If you purchase travel protection for the Philippines, it’s also a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your policy number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Before you take off, do some pre-trip reading such as learning how to navigate the country with local transportation. And if you’re looking to experience the island nation beyond resorts, explore stays in Filipino villages like Barangay Lajala on Uson Island.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.
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Never travel without travel insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain, and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.