Life and Health Insurance for Foreign Tourists
The State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine has addressed the National Bank of Ukraine with a request to provide a list of insurance companies that cover the life and health of foreigners visiting Ukraine. The National Bank is the regulatory authority responsible for issuing licenses to insurers.
According to the National Bank, insurance companies’ reports do not include a separate category specifically for insuring foreigners. Instead, insurers operate under certain “insurance classes.” For example, accident insurance, occupational injury and disease insurance, medical insurance, or sickness insurance. If a company holds a license for one of these classes, it is entitled to insure life and health, including that of foreigners. Companies are obliged to publish up-to-date information about their services on their websites — including services for insuring inbound tourists. While the National Bank does not keep a separate record of companies that specifically insure foreigners, it provides a full list of all licensed insurers that can do so: https://surl.li/zwoadl
According to Volodymyr Tsaruk, Deputy Head of the Tourism Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, most Ukrainian insurance companies currently provide insurance services for foreigners entering Ukraine. A medical insurance policy is not a mandatory requirement for foreign citizens to cross the border. However, Ukrainian tour operators insist that foreigners planning to visit Ukraine should nevertheless hold insurance policies.
Volodymyr Tsaruk also noted that two major assistance insurance companies currently operate in Ukraine, providing insurance services for foreign tourists. “SOS Service Ukraine” offers informational, technical, medical, and travel assistance services. “Enshuria Operations Ukraine” is a leader in the insurance assistance market in Ukraine, providing support and other services on behalf of major European insurance companies.
Additionally, companies primarily focused on travel insurance include: NOVA Insurance, ETI — European Travel Insurance, VUSO Insurance, INGO Ukraine, UNIQA, and TAS Insurance Group.
