Cheapest travel insurance for Cuba

Cuba is a popular and affordable resort destination for Ontario travellers, and it’s one of the few places where travel insurance isn’t just sensible — it’s a condition of entry. Cuba requires visitors to carry medical coverage and can ask to see proof when you arrive. So the cheapest plan here is one that genuinely meets that requirement, not the thinnest policy you can find.

The entry requirement

Cuban authorities require foreign visitors to have medical insurance and may request proof on arrival. Any legitimate emergency medical policy meets this, but you should carry written confirmation of your coverage with your passport and travel documents. A policy bought through a licensed insurer with a 24/7 assistance line is exactly what the rule is designed to ensure you have.

What drives the price

Emergency medical coverage is priced per day. The main factors are:

• Age — the largest driver by far.
• Trip length — a one-week package costs far less than a longer stay.
• Coverage amount — a high limit adds little on a short trip.
• Health — no medical questions under 60; 60 and over complete a Medical Questionnaire that sets the premium.
• Deductible — accepting one lowers the premium.

Any specific figure is illustrative until you get a quote.

How to get Cuba coverage cheapest — safely

• Insure only your exact dates. Buffer days quietly add cost.
• Choose a deductible if you’re comfortable covering a small first portion of a claim.
• Pick an Excludes-USA plan if no part of your trip passes through the United States — it can be cheaper than Worldwide while still covering Cuba.
• Keep a solid coverage limit. The saving from a low limit is small; the risk is not.

Why coverage still matters in Cuba

Tourists who need care in Cuba are generally treated at facilities set up for foreign visitors, and payment is expected for services. Having a policy with a 24/7 assistance line means the insurer can coordinate and guarantee payment, and arrange a medical transfer if a serious case needs care elsewhere. Resort first aid handles minor issues, but anything serious bills separately — which is why even a budget trip needs real coverage.

The OHIP gap

OHIP covers very little outside Canada and never pays up front; most out-of-country coverage ended in 2020. In Cuba you are on your own without a travel policy — and you may not be allowed in without one.

Choosing the right plan

Both a Worldwide and an Excludes-USA plan cover Cuba. If your itinerary never touches the United States — including connecting flights — the Excludes-USA option can be the cheaper route. Our Emergency Medical shelf covers Cuba under both options, with 24/7 assistance in multiple languages.

What a cheap plan should still include

Cheap is fine as long as the plan genuinely satisfies Cuba’s requirement and covers a real emergency. Make sure it includes emergency medical treatment, hospital care, emergency medical transport and repatriation to Canada, and a 24/7 assistance line. The assistance line matters in Cuba, where tourist medical services expect payment and a serious case may need a transfer off the island — the insurer can coordinate and guarantee that. Carry written proof of your policy and the assistance number with your passport so you can show it on arrival and reach help quickly. Keep all receipts and records for a claim through our claims team, and use telemedicine for a minor complaint when that’s enough.

Set your dates, keep proof of coverage handy, and compare a deductible and an Excludes-USA plan to find the cheapest sensible price. When you’re ready, you can get a quote built around your trip.