Travel Insurance for Tunisia

Tunisia: Minarets, desert dunes, Roman ruins

The good news is many Travel policies include Tunisia within their Europe category which makes it relatively cheap.

On the northernmost tip of Africa, tucked between Algeria and Libya, Tunisia is a land of ancient culture, desert sands and Mediterranean beaches.

Enjoy some of the best modern seaside resorts, ride a camel in the Sahara, chill in luxurious hotels or shop till you drop in bustling bazaars.

Popular with beach lovers, culture vultures, Star Wars' fans and famous for its archeological sites, Tunisia has something to tempt everyone.

Travel Insurance

The UK government strongly recommends travel insurance for breaks and holidays to Tunisia.

There are no reciprocal health care arrangements between the UK and Tunisia, so your EHIC card will not get you any healthcare.

Comprehensive travel insurance is needed to cover you for travel risks such as:

• Emergency medical cover & repatriation from abroad
• Trip cancellation, curtailment & interruption
• Baggage - accidental loss of, theft of or damage to items of baggage, articles or valuables
• Personal money for accidental loss, theft or damage
• Personal liability - for compensation, legal costs and expenses of 3rd party claims
• Delayed departure
• Missed departure at home or destination port
• Missed connection, departure or return journey
• Hijack/Kidnap - of your plane or ship
• Legal expenses - legal costs (to a set value) to pursue a civil action
• Extended dog kennel / cattery fees - if delayed abroad for medical reasons

Holiday Health

Travellers' diarrhoea is the most common health problem experienced by visitors to Tunisia. Avoid food from street stalls and don't drink tap water. Stick to bottled water (check seals aren't broken).

Temperatures can be fierce, so use strong sun block and drink adequate quantities of water to prevent sunburn and dehydration.

Malaria poses a very small risk in the El Faiyum governorate (50 miles southwest of Cairo) but otherwise there's no real risk. Use insect protection to avoid irritiating bites.

Take precautions such as avoiding unprotected sexual contact, tattooing and body piercingto avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis etc.

Good advice is to check with your local surgery before travelling and the jabs you might need. Also visit websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for information on vaccination requirements and health advice.

See the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Travel Health page and the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

Tunisian Medical Healthcare

Public and private hospitals exist in Tunisia. The state run hospitals are terribly overcrowded and poorly equipped, so you'll probably want to opt for a private care if you do fall ill.

Whether private or public, medical treatment for foreign tourists isn't free. Doctors' fees, treatment costs and overnight stays have to be paid by cash deposit or credit card at the time of treatment.

Emergency and intensive care/trauma services aren't of the same standard as in the UK. Ambulance services may not exist outside large urban area, or can't be relied on to respond quickly.

If you're involved in an accident or have a health scare requiring a hospital stay, let your insurer know straight away.

Whatever treatment you receive (eg blood tests, x-rays, medication), remember to get copies of paperwork.

In public hospitals relatives are expected to carry out nursing tasks. Just one reason why you'll probably prefer a private hospital, especially if you're travelling solo!

Medical facilities are almost non-existent in desert areas and if you fall seriously ill here or have a major accident, you'll need transfer to a major city.

With comprehensive medical insurance, your insurer can organise transport to a private hospital with modern facilities in one of the larger cities (eg Tunis, Sousse or Sfax), or arrange repatriation to a hospital back home.

Prescriptions

You can get most common prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in the larger cities and towns. More specialist prescriptions may be difficult to find, although some medicines requiring prescriptions abroad are sold over the counter in Egypt.

Check date stamps on medicines and only buy from reputable pharmacists.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Few hospitals outside the big cities offer the level of specialist care you would expect for serious conditions (eg heart/lung problems, kidney dialysis).

Where specialist equipment and treatment isn't available, you may need transfer by air ambulance to a private modern hospital where you will be expected to pay all costs.

Basic travel insurance won't usually cover the cost of an air ambulance if you need a transfer.

Most travel insurers provide cover for existing problems for an additional fee. This means treatment will be covered as well as repatriation home for specialist care or if you should unfortunately die in Tunisia.

If you are taking prescription drugs/medication abroad ensure you've adequate supply and some extra for delays. If they contain "controlled" substances then you need to follow HMRC advice on volumes allowed.

It's a good idea to get a letter from your GP confirming that the medication is for an existing condition.

Personal Safety and Security

Violent crime is not a major problem for visitors to Tunisia. You're more likely to be the victim of a pickpocket or bag snatcher in the markets or be bored to death by a carpet salesman.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash money on you and leave valuables and jewelry in the hotel safe. Theft from vehicles is another issue.

Confidence tricksters are a nuisance. They'll try to disarm you with a piece of jewellery they claim you dropped, offer their services as a guide then try to fleece you. Locals pretending to befriend you and show you the sights, are common. Before you know it, they demand cash for their services.

Women traveling alone should take extra care. If you are harassed, seek help from the police or citizens. Wear a head scarf to indicate modesty if you want to deflect stares, and sunglasses to avoid eye contact.

Take all the usual common sense procedures. Don't go for walks in deserted, rundown or poorly lit areas.

Be on the lookout for drug sellers. Penalties are severe for possessing even a small amount of drugs could result in a jail sentence.

Avoid public demonstrations and gatherings.

Homosexuality is illegal under Tunisian law, so exercise discretion.

See the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Other Holiday Considerations

Sports and Activities

Activity holidays and cultural and leisure pursuits are often a significant reason for visiting Tunisia.

Travel insurance generally covers sporting accidents as long as the sport isn't the main reason of the visit, for example, playing football, you wear appropriate safety equipment and it is not racing related.

Climbing on or jumping from any vehicles, building or balcony regardless of the height is automatically excluded. As is any injury down to you drinking too much.

Covered are usually:

• Golf, beach games, banana boating, deep sea fishing, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, water polo, sand boarding, surfing, wind surfing/sail boarding, wake boarding, water skiing/water ski jumping, parascending (over water), whale watching, cycling, hiking & trekking at low altitudes
• Covered (except liability - so watch out for others): jet boating or jet skiing (no racing), horse riding (excluding competitions, racing, jumping and hunting)

Groups

You can often buy cheaper travel insurance for a group, however the insurer needs to assess the risk of the trip being canceled so everyone must declare existing medical conditions that may affect travel plans.

Special interest group holidays or tours on offer in Tunisia include:

• Diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kite surfing, scuba diving, bird watching, trekking, golf, spa, white water rafting and kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, quad biking, jeep safaris, hiking expeditions, camel safaris, heritage tours.
• The desert settlement of Douz is famous for desert safaris on camelback. Definitely worth a visit is Matmata, the troglodyte village where "Star Wars" was filmed.

Most travel insurance policies cover popular adventure sports such as horse riding at no extra charge. But check for limitations on cover. If you don't wear a helmet while horse riding, or trek above a certain altitude, your cover may be void.

Medical costs can be expensive so check your policy before taking part in any adventurous activities, and make sure your travel insurance policy covers all the activities you take part in.

Comprehensive travel insurance should cover you for accidents, medical repatriation, mountain rescue and repatriation helicopter.

It goes without saying you should never take part in any risky activity while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It's unlikely you'll be covered.

Single Trip Annual or Long Stay

As a UK tourist, you can stay up to 90 days on any one single trip without a visa

If you plan on staying longer, or touring outwith Sinai, 30-day visas are obtainable from airports and ports. For even longer breaks you can get tourist visas for stays up to 90 days by post from the Egyptian Consulate in London, prior to travel.

• Single trip cover is probably the cheapest option if you take a break just once a year.
• Annual or 'Multi-Trip' policies for two or more trips a year can save you money, time and hassle but do the sums to compare prices. These year round policies are generally unlimited and have a duration of approx. 100 days.
• Long stay insurance covers one trip/holiday up to approx. 18 months. Ideal if you are travelling to other North African destinations over an extended period.
• Backpacker or Gap Year travel insurance may not cover risks related to volunteer work. Check with your insurer before you go. Also check clauses for manual working if you plan to earn some cash while you're there. Bare in mind that it is illegal to work in Tunisia without a permit.

Driving/Touring Breaks

Driving in Tunisia can be chaotic. The rules of the road are widely ignored. Look out for darting mopeds and motorcycles. Pedestrians take their life in their hands dodging in and out of traffic. Watch out for animals, too.

Driving is on the right and road signs are similar to Europe. Drivers take no notice of traffic signs and signals, and regularly drive on the wrong side of the road.

Night driving isn't recommended outside Tunis or major resorts.

If you're unfortunate enough to be in a road accident resulting in death or injury, you could be arrested pending trial if police hold you responsible, which could mean a jail stay of anything from a day to 2 months.

Travel in the Tunisian Sahara is a different ball game. Mobiles often don't work, temperatures range from boiling hot to freezing cold and blowing sand is a real hazard. Register your trip with the authorities beforehand.

You must have an International Driver's License and be at least 25 to hire a car. Drivers must have held a full clean driver's licence for at least 12 months.

Carry your international driving permit along with your domestic license, hire documents, passport and proof of insurance with you at all times.

Third-party insurance is compulsory and there are on the spot fines for speeding. Severe penalties for drink driving - up to 10 years' imprisonment. Driving conditions are dangerous in more remote areas.

See Wikitravel for more info on Tunisia.

Over 65s

Tunisia is popular with over 65's in search of guaranteed sunshine 365 days of the year. Once you're retired and have time on your hands, long stay holidays up to three months are particularly attractive.

Low cost holiday packages in Tunisian resorts such as Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir or Jerba appeal to over 65's wanting to escape gloomy British skies.

Guided battlefield and pilgrimage tours covering the North African Campaign sites appeal to many.

You can't stay any longer than three months on any one trip without a visa, as the maximum length you can stay is 90 days.

Make sure your travel insurance covers you for any adventurous activities you take part in (eg hot air ballooning over the Tunisian Sahara to celebrate your 80th birthday), and that it covers medical costs and repatriation.

You'll need to declare any existing medical conditions if you want comprehensive cover.

Expats

Most expats in Tunisia work in tourism and property sectors.

Language is a barrier - Arabic is the first language, French second and English third. Most private clinics have some doctors who speak some English, but most staff don't.

As Tunisia is outside the EEC (European Economic Area) you won't be entitled to any pension increases that normally happen yearly. But if you return to live in the UK, your State Pension will be increased to current levels.

See FCO Living in Egypt for comprehensive and up to date information about: Pensions, benefits, healthcare; Driving licences and vehicles; Criminal Records Certificate; Education; Employment; Entry & residence requirements; Consular fees; Finance; How to legalise documents; Importing your pet; Property in Egypt; Other Websites & Forums, etc.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

The UK Government's Foreign & Commonwealth Office website has lots of highly relevant advice and travel tips for holidaying or moving to Tunisia.

Exclusions

Many travel insurance policies exclude claims made under Acts of God, Terrorism, Riot and Kidnap.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website warns that there is a general threat of terrorism in Tunisia (current as of April 2011), as well as a risk of kidnap in the south of the country towards the Algerian border.

The FCO advise people to steer clear of public demonstrations throughout Tunisia as there is always the possibility of riot.

Always check the FCO website for travel advice. Your policy could be invalid if you travel against Government advice. You'll find up-to-date travel info on the 'know before you go' section.

Acts of God is a common exclusion and this can relate to natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes. Check your travel insurance policy to see whether you will be covered for any such eventuality.