sri lanka travel insurance

Sri Lanka Activities travel insurance

Many travellers visit Sri Lanka for its stunning natural landscapes and outdoor activities. However, before you go on the adventure of a lifetime, make sure your travel insurance will cover you for it. Many insurers exclude specific activities at higher altitudes, deeper depths or in other higher-risk scenarios.

Hiking and trekking

Sri Lanka abounds with incredible places for hiking and trekking, such as Kitulgala Forest, the Knuckles Mountains, and Sinharja Rainforest. If you're going hiking and trekking, check the altitude limits on your travel insurance.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

With warm Indian Ocean currents, stunning reefs and many coastal shipwrecks, such as the Pecheur Breton, Panadura Nilkete, and HMS Hermes are just some of the reasons Sri Lanka is a scuba diver's delight. Check the automatically allowed and add-on depths in your travel insurance policy before you buy, and make sure you follow their conditions to stay covered - some brands won't cover you if you fly within 24-48 hours of your last dive. Visit our adventure activities travel insurance page for more.

Cruising

While not necessarily everyone's idea of an adventure, for many people, going on a cruise is the gateway to a world of travel and exciting shore excursions. Colombo is a popular cruise docking point, so if you're hitting the seas, check whether your policy automatically includes cruise travel insurance, or whether it needs to be added on. If your cruise has optional activities, such as ziplining or on-water activities, check that it's covered by your policy. Visit our cruise travel insurance page for more.

Scooter or motorbike hire

Thinking of hiring a motorcycle, moped or scooter? Every insurer has different rules about who can hire a two-wheeled vehicle, depending on whether they have an Australian or Sri Lankan licence, whether it's for a car or a motorbike, and what class of engine the vehicle is. So check the conditions of moped and scooter, or motorbike travel cover on your policy.

visiting Sri Lanka

There is no denying that COVID-19 has changed our lives and the way we travel around the world forever.  As countries begin to open their doors to global travel once again, Sri Lanka has taken precautionary measures with their tourism safety protocols to make your island getaway safe and secure.

All travellers to Sri Lanka must present a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test report in English when checking in. The test must be conducted within 72 hours of your departure or you will be unable to board your flight. 

Australians travelling to Sri Lanka need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Generally speaking, if you're an Australian passport holder travelling for tourism, you'll be exempt from paying the ETA fee, but you do need to fill out an application prior to travelling to reduce any delays at the airport. The ETA is valid for 30 days, but can be extended up to 90 days.

It is important to note that Visa rules may have changed since COVID-19. Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. Check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. If you don't meet the conditions, the Australian Government is unlikely to be able to help you.
 

choosing the best travel insurance for Sri Lanka

Not sure how to choose the best travel insurance for your trip? Here are a few things to watch out for:

Single trip or annual policy

If you're a frequent traveller (leaving Australia on many shorter duration trips), an annual travel insurance policy may be more convenient or cost-effective. However, if you're only one to three trips, getting individual single trip policies may be cheaper. Compare single and multi-trip travel insurance quotes from some of Australia's leading providers for the best deals.

Basic or comprehensive

Are you a budget-conscious traveller just looking for medical cover, or are you looking for a comprehensive policy with all the bells and whistles? Comprehensive policies include benefits for family emergencies, cancellations and delays, lost and stolen luggage, and public liability.

Pre-existing medical conditions

While some insurers completely exclude pre-existing conditions from cover, while others have a small range of automatically-covered conditions. An increasing number of insurers offer travel insurance for pre-existing conditions with an online medical assessment - if you're travelling to Sri Lanka and have a condition, getting it listed on your certificate of insurance can protect you should you need to cancel your trip before you travel, or if you experience a medical issue overseas.

Optional add-ons

Taking a camera to take photos of Sri Lanka's breathtaking scenery, or want your mobile phone insured but your policy has a $1000 per item limit? Look out for whether you policy has an optional benefit called 'high-value item cover'. This benefit allows you to list your item for its full value on your policy for an additional premium, and means you're not subject to depreciation for those items.