- Based on our analysis, the best travel insurance plans for trips to Antarctica come from Tin Leg, IMG, Travelex, and AXA. (skip ahead to view these plans)
- Antarctica tour providers stress the importance of having medical travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage as there are no major medical facilities in Antarctica.
- We recommend opting for at least $100,000 of travel medical coverage and at least $250,000 of medical evacuation coverage.
- Ensure you buy a travel insurance plan that covers the unique risks of your trip, such as evacuations from a cruise ship or claims resulting from any adventure sports you plan to do.
- Consider using an online comparison tool to get quotes from several companies at once to save time and money.
When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times Commerce Team.
On This Page
- Key Takeaways
- A detailed look at the plans we recommended
- What to consider when taking a trip to Antarctica
- What Antarctica travel insurance coverage do I need?
- What isn’t covered by travel insurance for Antarctica?
- How much does travel insurance for Antarctica cost?
- Tips for getting the best Antarctica travel insurance
- FAQ: Antarctica travel insurance
- Related topics
On This Page
- Key Takeaways
- A detailed look at the plans we recommended
- What to consider when taking a trip to Antarctica
- What Antarctica travel insurance coverage do I need?
- What isn’t covered by travel insurance for Antarctica?
- How much does travel insurance for Antarctica cost?
- Tips for getting the best Antarctica travel insurance
- FAQ: Antarctica travel insurance
- Related topics
Antarctica Travel Insurance: Tips & Requirements for US Visitors
Leigh Morgan - Personal Finance
+ 1 other
Reviewed By
Blake Esken - Los Angeles Times
Our top picks for travel insurance for Antarctica
Best Overall Coverage for Antarctica
Tin Leg
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Tin Leg Adventure
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$1,000,000
Best Value for the Money
IMG
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$1,000,000
Great Travel Delay Protections
Travelex Insurance Services
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Travel Select
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000
/
$500,000
A detailed look at the plans we recommended
Advertiser Disclosure
Full Policy Details
Tin Leg
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Tin Leg Adventure
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Tin Leg is one of the best-selling travel insurance providers among LA Times’ visitors and has some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the entire industry.
The Tin Leg Adventure plan is aptly named as it provides the most comprehensive coverage we have found for adventure travel to Antarctica. Namely, it covers $100K for medical bills and up to $1M for medical evacuation and repatriation to get you to the nearest quality hospital. Both of these coverages are extremely important in Antarctica where decent medical facilities are few and far between.
In addition to this, the Adventure plan is suited to cover cruises and a vast array of adventure sports common on trips to Antarctica including:
- Snow Shoeing
- Hiking
- Sea Kayaking
- Ice Climbing & Mountaineering
- Snow Mobiling
- Cross-Country Skiing
Apart from these coverages, you’ll also get premium coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions, baggage loss/delays, travel delays, accidental death and dismemberment, and more.
You can’t go wrong with this plan, and it’s our top choice for a reason.
PROS
- Higher than average medical evacuation coverage
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Cancelation & interruption coverage
- Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered
CONS
- Lower medical coverage
- No “interruption for any reason” upgrade available
IMG
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
The iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic from IMG is an extremely comprehensive plan that offers premium-level coverage across all of the same categories as the Tin Leg Adventure plan.
Despite its higher limits and premium coverage, it’s the cheapest plan on our list. Therefore, we have rated this plan as the best value for your money.
You’ll get a whopping $500K of medical coverage and $1M of medevac and repatriation coverage. You’ll also get the same 100% and 150% trip cancellation and interruption coverage found in the Tin Leg Adventure plan.
Apart from higher coverage in nearly every category, this plan also includes $40K of rental car damage coverage, which may come in handy if your Antarctica trip routes you through Argentina or Chile and you decide to rent a car.
The two drawbacks this plan has versus our top pick are that it has a slightly lower customer satisfaction rating than Tin Leg and the Accidental Death coverage only applies when you are in the hands of a common carrier.
PROS
- 10-day money back guarantee
- Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
- Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered
- Rental car coverage included
CONS
- Recently developed pre-existing conditions may not be covered
- CFAR and IFAR coverage only available as an add-on with premium plans
Full Policy Details
Travelex Insurance Services
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Travel Select
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000
/
$500,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
This plan is another solid option for trips to Antarctica, and has roughly all of the same benefits as the other two plans on our list - however, it’s neither the cheapest nor the most expensive. It’s simply a solid option all around.
The main difference you will find is that the Travelex Travel Select plan offers the best travel delay protection out of the plans on our list and includes $750 of coverage for missed connections.
You’ll also get $100K of medical coverage and $1M of medevac and repatriation coverage. In includes 100% and 150% trip cancellation and interruption coverage, respectively, and can cover all of the same adventure sports as the Tin Leg Adventure plan.
PROS
- Plans can be customized with upgrades
- Children 17 and under included for free with some plans
- Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions available
- CFAR coverage is available as an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance plan
CONS
- Optional CFAR coverage only reimburses 50% of prepaid travel expenses, which is less than some competitors
- Travel Select plan only has $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses, which is lower than some competitors
- The baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour waiting period
- CFAR coverage is not available with all Travelex plans
AXA Assistance USA
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
PROS
- High coverage limits in every category. Extremely comprehensive
- Includes identity theft coverage & non-medical evacuation coverage
- CFAR coverage reimburses 75% of prepaid travel expenses
CONS
- Coverage cannot be extended unlike other plans
- Medical limit is lower than other cheaper plans, but still sufficient
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What to consider when taking a trip to Antarctica
Due to its isolated location and harsh natural environment, Antarctica is unlike any other travel destination.
If you plan to visit, keep the following in mind.
Antarctica medical insurance is a legal requirement
According to the U.S. Department of State, Antarctica doesn’t have a single public hospital, so the only way to get medical treatment is to evacuate to Argentina, Australia or another country with modern health care facilities.
Medical evacuation is extremely expensive, so all tour operators require travelers to maintain Antarctica travel insurance. Your insurance plan must include emergency medical care and medical evacuation services.
Trips to Antarctica are expensive
Because it’s so remote and is vulnerable to damage caused by human activity, Antarctica is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. Only certain companies are allowed to operate tours and this limited competition drives up prices and makes even a short expedition much more expensive than the average vacation. It’s important to have Antarctica travel insurance to protect your investment.
Traveling to Antarctica
Another factor to consider is that you can’t travel to Antarctica directly from the United States. Most tours depart from Ushuaia in southern Argentina. Several also leave from Punta Arenas in southern Chile.
Tours from Ushuaia leave via boat, while tours from Punta Arenas depart via flight. Therefore, it’s important to purchase a robust travel insurance policy instead of a bare-bones policy with limited coverage.
Antarctica cruises
In many cases, the best way to see Antarctica is to take a cruise. The best travel insurance for an Antarctica cruise includes higher limits for missed connections and medical emergencies. Cruise insurance may also protect you against unexpected delays and cancellations.
Advertiser Disclosure
What Antarctica travel insurance coverage do I need?
A comprehensive travel insurance policy combines several types of coverage to give you the greatest amount of protection available.
Consider getting these types of coverage for your trip.
Emergency medical insurance
U.S. health insurance doesn’t cover medical expenses incurred in Antarctica. This includes Medicaid, Medicare and other government health insurance programs. Due to the lack of medical infrastructure in Antarctica, you should aim for at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage.
Medical evacuation insurance
This is one of the most important components of an Antarctica travel insurance plan. Because Antarctica is extremely remote and has no medical infrastructure, it costs a significant amount of money to evacuate in the event of a medical emergency.
Aim for at least $250,000 worth of medical evacuation (medevac) coverage. Some policies include up to $1 million in medevac coverage.
Trip delay insurance
You can’t just get on a plane and land in Antarctica a few hours later. You may have to take multiple flights, board a cruise ship or hop on a boat to get to your destination. From your initial flight to South America to the 48-hour boat ride to Antarctica, trip delay insurance protects you in the event of an airline or boat delay.
Trip cancellation insurance
The Southern Ocean is known for its volatile weather conditions. It’s not unusual for tour operators to cancel with little notice due to inclement weather or other safety issues. Many tour operators also require nonrefundable deposits, making it even more important to protect your investment.
If you cancel for a covered reason, your insurance provider will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable costs. Covered reasons include sudden illness, the death of a travel companion and natural disasters.
Cancel-for-any-reason insurance
Cancel-for-any-reason coverage is more flexible than standard trip cancellation insurance. Many providers will reimburse up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs, regardless of your reason for cancellation.
Baggage insurance
If you’re visiting Antarctica, you can’t get away with a tiny suitcase filled with a few essentials. You’ll need a heavy jacket, thermal underwear, expedition gear and other items to protect your body from the elements. Many people also bring expensive camera equipment to capture the penguins, leopard seals and whales in all their glory.
Baggage insurance reimburses you for losses related to lost, stolen and damaged luggage. For example, if one of your bags goes missing between Argentina and Antarctica, your insurance provider may reimburse you accordingly. Note that this type of insurance usually has a limit of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Your insurer probably won’t reimburse you for $10,000 in specialized photography equipment, so pack accordingly.
Baggage delay insurance protects you in the event of unexpected delays. To qualify for reimbursement, you must be traveling via a common carrier. If you arrive before your baggage, your insurer may cover the cost of purchasing clothing, toiletries and other items to tide you over until your suitcase arrives.
Typically, a delay must last for several hours before your baggage delay insurance kicks in. For example, some insurers don’t reimburse travelers unless a delay lasts for at least 12 hours.
Adventure insurance
If trekking to an ice-covered continent doesn’t satisfy your appetite for adventure, you’re in luck. Antarctica offers plenty of opportunities for kayaking, skiing and sledding. If you plan to participate in an adventure activity, consider upgrading your Antarctica travel insurance policy to cover any resulting emergencies.
What isn’t covered by travel insurance for Antarctica?
Even the most comprehensive policies typically exclude the following.
- Foreseeable events: To qualify for coverage, an event must be unforeseeable. That means you don’t know about it ahead of time. Travel insurance doesn’t cover foreseeable events, which are events that a reasonable person traveling to your destination would know about. For example, if the Air Line Pilots Association announces a strike, you have reasonable knowledge that your flight is likely to be grounded.
- Natural disasters that occur before you purchase travel insurance: If an earthquake hits after you’ve already purchased a travel insurance policy, your insurer should reimburse you for your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. If it hits before you purchase insurance, however, you won’t be covered.
- Preexisting medical conditions: A preexisting medical condition is a condition that you had before you purchased travel insurance. For example, if you’ve had diabetes for years, you have a preexisting condition. Travel insurance typically doesn’t cover any medical costs associated with these health issues. However, you may be able to purchase a preexisting condition waiver, giving you extra coverage during your trip.
- Normal pregnancy: If you’re pregnant on your trip, your insurance plan won’t cover routine obstetric care. Some insurers cover the cost of treating pregnancy-related complications, but it depends on the terms of your policy.
- Risky/illegal activities: Travel insurance doesn’t cover losses associated with criminal activity, alcohol consumption or the use of illicit substances. Standard plans also exclude adventure sports. If you plan to participate in adventure activities, consider purchasing an add-on. A travel insurance add-on augments the coverage bundled into your original policy.
- Claims without adequate documentation: If you can’t prove that you suffered a covered loss, your insurance company may deny your claim. Therefore, it’s important to keep receipts, medical records and other documents. For example, if you have a medical emergency requiring evacuation, you should keep copies of your medical bills.
Advertiser Disclosure
How much does travel insurance for Antarctica cost?
Based on our sales data, visitors who purchased travel insurance through our website paid an average of $324 for a 17-day trip to Antarctica. Therefore, we can assume that a plan costs around $19 per day.
To give you more insight into how much travel insurance costs for a trip to Antarctica, we got quotes from some of the top providers. All of our quotes follow the guidelines of having at least $100,000 in emergency medical and at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
We used these parameters for our quotes:
- Age: 50 years old
- State of residency: California
- Destination: Antarctica
- Trip Length: 14 days
- Time of trip: November 2024
- Trip cost: $8,000
In this first example below, we’ve displayed quotes for basic travel insurance coverage. These plans cost around $3 to $5 per day.
Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Antarctica Trip Cost
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical / Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Leg | Luxury | $39 | $0 / $750 | $100K / $250K |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels Armor | $56 | $0 / $0 | $100K / $1M |
| AXA Assistance USA | Gold | $68 | $0 / $1K | $100K / $500K |
This next example shows our quotes for more comprehensive travel insurance that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage. These plans range from around $26 to $58 per day.
Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Antarctica Trip Cost
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical / Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Leg | Luxury | $808 | $8K / $12K | $100K / $250K |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels Armor | $376 | $8K / $12K | $100K / $1M |
| AXA Assistance USA | Gold | $359 | $8K / $12K | $100K / $500K |
Factors that impact the cost include:
- Age. Older people have an increased risk of chronic health conditions. Therefore, it’s more expensive to insure an older person than it is to insure someone in their 20s or 30s.
- Trip length. Long trips cost more than short trips, so you need additional coverage to ensure you have the right amount of protection.
- Add-ons. If you purchase add-ons, your plan will cost more than a basic insurance plan.
- Number of travelers. It costs more to cover multiple people than it does to cover one person.
- Coverage limits. If you choose a plan with high coverage limits, you’ll pay more than someone who selected a plan with low limits. For example, it costs less to insure 75% of your trip than it does to insure 100% of your trip.
Tips for getting the best Antarctica travel insurance
Follow these tips to find the best travel insurance for Antarctica.
1
Think about how you’re getting there.
Antarctica is a remote destination, so each trip includes multiple legs. The more complicated your itinerary, the more likely it is that something will go wrong, whether it’s a baggage delay or a medical emergency.
2
Make a list of the activities you plan to do.
If any of them qualify as adventure activities, you may need to purchase an add-on. Otherwise, your standard plan won’t cover any expenses arising from your participation in adventure sports.
3
Buy insurance as soon as possible after you book your trip.
The longer you wait, the more likely it is that something will happen, rendering you unable to get coverage for certain events. For example, if a landslide occurs before you buy a policy, you won’t be eligible for reimbursement if you have to cancel due to landslide damage.
4
Request quotes from multiple companies.
Our online comparison tool makes it easy to compare cost and coverage details.
FAQ: Antarctica travel insurance
Is travel insurance required for Antarctica?
Yes. Because it costs so much money to get there, all tour operators require travelers to carry medical insurance. We recommend purchasing additional coverage to ensure you don’t lose a significant amount of money due to unforeseen events.
What is the average cost of a cruise to Antarctica?
A standard cruise to Antarctica costs anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000. It may cost much more if you book a luxury cruise. This doesn’t include transportation to the departure port or activities that aren’t part of the cruise package.
Can tourists fly to Antarctica?
No commercial airline offers flights to Antarctica. To get to your destination, you need to fly from Punta Arenas or take a boat from southern Chile.
Can you take a private trip to Antarctica?
Yes, it’s possible to take a private expedition to Antarctica. However, we advise you to use a reputable tour operator instead, as tour professionals know the area and understand how to navigate the rough waters.
How much does medical evacuation from Antarctica cost?
It depends on what type of transportation you use and where you need to go. However, Squaremouth advises travelers to purchase at least $100,000 in medevac coverage. This seems like overkill, but it’s extremely expensive to evacuate via helicopter or boat.
About the Author
Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.
In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.
In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.
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