Looking for travel insurance for Japan? If so, read on. We will break down all of the Japan travel insurance requirements, and help you decide on the best travel health insurance or travel insurance plan for your trip. This coverage is essential, as it can help protect your health and finances in case something unexpected occurs abroad.
Travel Insurance for Japan – FAQs
For most tourists and business travelers, a trip to Japan is not a last-minute affair. Airfare, hotels, events, and attractions are all booked and paid for far in advance. In many cases, these prepaid expenses are nonrefundable. This means that if you had to cancel your trip, you could be out all of the money you’ve already put towards it.
You can avoid this unenviable situation by purchasing Japan travel insurance, also commonly referred to as trip cancellation insurance. A travel insurance plan for Japan can allow you to be fully or partially reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip must be cancelled due to a reason covered by the policy.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Japan?
Japan has ended all of the mandatory travel and health insurance requirements that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, making Japanese travel insurance optional. However, due to the high cost of planning a trip to Japan and all of the potential things that could go wrong, it only makes sense to protect your trip with travel insurance.
What Can be Covered by Japan Travel Insurance?
That largely depends upon the policy you choose. Travel insurance plans can cover trip cancellation, but they don’t stop there. Look for a policy that also covers the following common travel situations:
- Trip interruption
- Loss of baggage
- Baggage delays
- Emergency medical evacuation
- The option to cancel for any reason, if the feature is important to you.
The options you choose will largely determine how much your Japanese travel insurance costs. Just be sure to take the time to compare travel insurance plans on our website so you can make an informed purchase.
When should you purchase travel insurance for Japan?
It’s best to purchase travel insurance for Japan as soon as you book your trip. Early coverage ensures protection against unexpected cancellations, trip interruptions, or other issues that may arise before your departure. Most travel insurance policies also include a window for adding optional benefits like “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage, which must be purchased within a set timeframe after your initial trip deposit. By securing travel insurance early, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re covered from the moment your plans are confirmed.
Can you purchase travel insurance after booking flights to Japan?
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after booking your flights to Japan. In fact, travel insurance can be bought at any time before your departure. However, purchasing it soon after booking your trip is recommended to maximize coverage, especially for benefits like trip cancellation and pre-existing condition waivers, which often have time-sensitive eligibility requirements. Buying insurance early ensures comprehensive protection for unforeseen circumstances that could affect your travel plans.
Does travel insurance cover natural disasters in Japan?
Yes, many travel insurance policies provide coverage for natural disasters in Japan, such as earthquakes, typhoons, or volcanic eruptions. This coverage typically includes trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions caused by such events, as well as emergency medical expenses or evacuations if you are affected while traveling. However, coverage details and limits vary by policy, so it’s important to carefully review your plan and ensure it includes protection against natural disasters, especially if you’re traveling during Japan's typhoon season or to areas prone to seismic activity.
Why Buy Travel Health Insurance Before Traveling to Japan?
Japan has a nationalized healthcare system for its residents, so most doctors and hospitals are used to dealing with the government to treat citizens. However, this does not include tourists. Many doctors and hospitals are simply not used to treating foreign visitors and are not sure how they will get paid if they treat them. There have been many cases where tourists to Japan were refused treatment for this reason.
Please note that without proper Japan travel health insurance, you might be turned away from treatment, even in life-threatening medical situations. Simply having proof of travel medical insurance can be enough to overcome the reluctance to treat patients. Plus, the right travel health insurance plan for your needs will give you peace of mind.
Before You Travel to Japan – Do This
- Visit your healthcare provider and make sure you are up-to-date on all of your vaccines.
- Research your area of travel, and know what to do in an emergency. Japan can experience earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
- Purchase Japan travel health insurance or travel insurance to protect your finances in case of a health or travel-related calamity.