Travel insurance is the thing Nepali travellers skip to save a few thousand rupees, and the thing they most regret skipping. It is also — for Europe — not optional at all: no insurance, no Schengen visa.
This guide covers what travel insurance actually costs from Nepal, what it genuinely covers, which destinations legally require it, and how to avoid buying a policy that pays out nothing.
Where Insurance Is Compulsory for Nepali Travellers
| Destination | Required? | Minimum Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Europe (Schengen) | Yes — visa is refused without it | €30,000 medical, valid across all Schengen states |
| Japan | Strongly expected with the visa file | No fixed figure |
| Turkey | Often requested | Varies |
| Thailand, Dubai, Maldives, Singapore | Not compulsory | — |
For the Schengen application, the policy must cover the full trip, all Schengen countries, medical treatment and repatriation. A policy missing repatriation gets the file rejected. Full details in our Schengen visa guide.
What It Costs
Less than most people assume — typically 1–3% of your trip cost. Rough guide for a healthy adult:
| Trip | Typical Premium |
|---|---|
| Thailand / Dubai, 5–7 days | NPR 1,500 – 3,500 |
| Europe, 10 days (Schengen-compliant) | NPR 4,000 – 8,000 |
| Japan, 7–10 days | NPR 4,000 – 7,000 |
| Travellers over 60 | 2–3× the above |
Premiums rise sharply with age and with any declared pre-existing condition. Figures above are indicative — we quote your actual premium with your package.
What It Actually Covers
- Emergency medical treatment abroad — the main event. A hospital admission in Europe, Japan or Singapore can run into millions of rupees.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation — the single most expensive thing that can happen to you, and the reason to never travel uninsured.
- Trip cancellation — recovers non-refundable costs if you cannot travel for a covered reason
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Flight delay and missed connection
- Passport loss — replacement and emergency documentation
⚠️ What It Does Not Cover
This is where people get hurt. Read this part twice.
- Undeclared pre-existing conditions. Diabetes, blood pressure, heart conditions, previous surgery — declare them. An undeclared condition can void the entire policy, not just that claim.
- Adventure activities, unless added. Skiing in Almaty, scuba diving in the Maldives, paragliding, bungee — these need an explicit add-on.
- Incidents involving alcohol. A common exclusion, and a common surprise.
- Anything you knew about before buying. Buying insurance after a strike is announced or a storm is forecast will not cover that event.
- Pregnancy beyond a certain week.
- Countries under a travel advisory.
Five Rules for Buying Well
- Buy when you book, not before you fly. Cancellation cover only protects what has not happened yet. Buying the week of departure gives you medical cover and almost nothing else.
- Declare every condition, honestly. A higher premium is vastly cheaper than a voided claim.
- Check the medical limit, not the price. A cheap policy with a NPR 500,000 medical cap is close to worthless in Japan or Switzerland.
- Confirm it covers every country on your itinerary — including transit stops.
- Save the emergency number in your phone before you fly, and photograph the policy document. Most insurers require you to call them before treatment where possible.
If Something Goes Wrong
- Call the insurer’s emergency line first, before treatment, unless it is life-threatening.
- Keep every document — bills, prescriptions, doctor’s notes, police reports for theft.
- Report theft to local police within 24 hours. No police report, no baggage claim.
- Tell us too. If you booked through White Tiger Holidays, our team helps you deal with the insurer from Kathmandu while you focus on the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is travel insurance worth it for a short Thailand trip?
Yes. It is not compulsory, but at roughly NPR 2,000 it is the cheapest line on a NPR 75,000 holiday, and a motorbike accident or food poisoning admission abroad costs many times that. See our Thailand visa guide for the rest of the pre-departure checklist.
Does it cover COVID or other illness?
Most current policies cover unexpected illness abroad including COVID, but terms vary by insurer. Ask specifically and get the answer in writing.
Can I buy one policy for my whole family?
Yes, family policies usually cost less than individual ones. See our family and group travel guide.
Does it cover my money or phone?
Cash cover is minimal — usually a few hundred dollars at most. Electronics are typically capped low too. Do not rely on insurance to protect valuables; rely on a hotel safe. On carrying money abroad, see our foreign currency guide for Nepali travellers.
We Arrange It With Your Package
Insurance is included or arranged alongside every international package we book, with Schengen-compliant cover for Europe travel. You get one point of contact if you ever need to claim — which is the part that matters when you are unwell in another country.
Browse all destinations or talk to us about cover for your trip. White Tiger Holidays — IATA accredited, Government of Nepal authorized, arranging travel from Kathmandu since 2009.
