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Why Nigerians Need Travel Insurance
Many Nigerians skip travel insurance thinking it's unnecessary or too expensive. This is a costly mistake. Here's why:
Real-World Medical Costs Abroad
| Country | Simple ER Visit | Appendix Surgery | Heart Attack Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $3,000-5,000 | $30,000-50,000 | $100,000+ |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | £1,500-3,000 | £15,000-25,000 | £50,000+ |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | €500-1,500 | €10,000-20,000 | €30,000+ |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | CAD $1,000-3,000 | CAD $20,000-30,000 | CAD $50,000+ |
A Nigerian tourist broke his leg skiing in Austria. Without insurance, the hospital bill was €35,000. Medical evacuation back to Nigeria would have cost an additional €50,000. With basic Schengen insurance (€50), this would have been fully covered.
What Travel Insurance Protects Against
- Medical emergencies: Illness, accidents, hospitalization
- Emergency evacuation: Air ambulance back to Nigeria
- Trip cancellation: Flight cancellations, sudden illness preventing travel
- Lost/delayed baggage: Compensation for lost items
- Flight delays: Hotel and meal costs during delays
- Personal liability: If you accidentally injure someone
- Legal expenses: If you face legal issues abroad
Schengen Visa Insurance: Mandatory Requirements
For Schengen visa applications, travel insurance is mandatory. Your visa will be rejected without valid insurance.
Official Schengen Insurance Requirements
- Minimum €30,000 medical coverage
- Emergency medical repatriation coverage
- Valid for entire trip plus 15-day buffer
- Must cover all 26 Schengen countries
- Zero or low deductible (some embassies require €0)
The 26 Schengen Countries
Your policy must cover travel to all these countries:
- Western Europe: France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland
- Southern Europe: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Malta
- Northern Europe: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland
- Central Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia
- Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
Common Rejection Reasons
- Coverage less than €30,000
- Policy dates don't match travel dates
- Doesn't cover all Schengen countries
- Missing emergency repatriation
- High deductible (>€100)
Requirements by Destination
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Mandatory? No, but strongly recommended
- Recommended coverage: £50,000+ medical
- Why important: UK has NO public healthcare for visitors
- Best providers: AXA, Allianz, Travel Guard
🇺🇸 United States
- Mandatory? No, but essential
- Recommended coverage: $100,000+ medical (US is very expensive)
- Why essential: US healthcare is extremely costly
- Best providers: World Nomads, Allianz, IMG Global
🇨🇦 Canada
- Mandatory for visitors? No, but recommended
- Mandatory for students? Yes, until provincial coverage begins
- Recommended coverage: CAD $100,000+ medical
- Best providers: Guard.me (students), Allianz, Blue Cross
🇦🇪 UAE / Dubai
- Mandatory? No (for short visits)
- Recommended coverage: $50,000+ medical
- Note: Dubai has good healthcare but it's expensive for visitors
Best Insurance Providers for Nigerians
The most widely accepted insurance for Schengen visa applications. Instant certificate delivery.
Pros:
- Universally accepted by all Schengen embassies
- Instant certificate for visa application
- Full refund if visa rejected
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Cons:
- Only covers Schengen area
- Not suitable for long-term travel
Best value for long-term travelers and digital nomads. Monthly subscription model.
Pros:
- Pay monthly, cancel anytime
- Covers almost all countries
- Includes COVID-19 coverage
- Remote work friendly
- Can buy while already traveling
Cons:
- $250 deductible per illness
- NOT accepted for Schengen visa applications
- US coverage limited to 90 days
Best for adventure travelers. Covers activities like hiking, diving, skiing.
Major international insurer. Good for all destinations and purposes.
Provider Comparison Table
| Provider | Best For | Price (2 weeks) | Schengen OK? | Nigeria Card? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Schengen | Schengen visa | $35-60 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| SafetyWing | Digital nomads | $45/month | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| World Nomads | Adventure | $60-100 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Allianz | General travel | $40-80 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Complete Cost Breakdown
Schengen Travel Insurance Costs
| Trip Duration | Budget Plan | Standard Plan | Premium Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $20-30 | $35-50 | $60-80 |
| 2 weeks | $30-45 | $50-70 | $80-120 |
| 1 month | $45-70 | $80-120 | $150-200 |
| 3 months | $100-150 | $180-250 | $350-500 |
Long-Term Travel Insurance Costs
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing | $45 | $540 | $250,000 |
| World Nomads | $80-150 | $960-1,800 | $100,000+ |
| IMG Global | $60-120 | $720-1,440 | $500,000+ |
How to Buy Travel Insurance (Step-by-Step)
-
Choose your provider:
- For Schengen visa: AXA Schengen or Allianz
- For long-term: SafetyWing
- For adventure: World Nomads
-
Go to their website
- AXA: axa-schengen.com
- SafetyWing: safetywing.com
- World Nomads: worldnomads.com
- Enter your details: Travel dates, destination, date of birth
- Select coverage level: Basic, Standard, or Premium
- Add extras if needed: Trip cancellation, gadget cover
- Enter payment details: Nigerian Mastercard/Visa work with most providers
- Download certificate: Instant PDF for visa applications
- Print for embassy: Some embassies want physical copies
- Use a Nigerian card with international transactions enabled
- GTBank, Access, Zenith cards usually work well
- Virtual cards (Barter, Chipper) also work
- Some providers accept crypto (SafetyWing)
What's Covered & What's Not
Typically Covered
- Medical emergencies and hospitalization
- Emergency dental treatment
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Trip cancellation/interruption (with premium plans)
- Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage
- Flight delays and missed connections
- Personal accident coverage
- Personal liability
- COVID-19 (most 2026 policies)
Usually NOT Covered
- Pre-existing medical conditions (unless declared)
- Extreme sports (unless specifically added)
- Travel against medical advice
- Self-inflicted injuries
- War zones or travel advisories
- Routine health checkups
- Elective procedures
- Mental health treatment (varies by policy)
How to Make Claims
- Keep all documentation: Receipts, medical reports, police reports
- Contact insurer immediately: Most have 24/7 emergency lines
- Get pre-approval for major expenses: Before expensive treatments
- File claim promptly: Usually within 30-90 days
- Submit online: Most insurers have online claims portals
- Follow up: Track your claim status
Pro Tips for Nigerians
- Buy before embassy appointment: Some embassies check insurance first
- Add 15+ extra days: For Schengen, always add buffer days
- Read policy carefully: Know what's excluded
- Save emergency number: Store insurer's emergency number in your phone
- Carry physical copy: Print your policy document
- Check bank card benefits: Some premium cards include travel insurance
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's mandatory. You must have minimum €30,000 medical coverage, including emergency repatriation. The policy must cover your entire trip plus a 15-day buffer and be valid in all 26 Schengen countries.
Most major providers offer partial or full refunds if your visa is rejected. AXA Schengen specifically offers full refund for visa rejection. Keep your rejection letter as proof when requesting refund.
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for UK visas, but it's strongly recommended. The UK has no public healthcare for visitors—a simple hospital visit can cost £3,000+. Major surgery can exceed £50,000.
For Schengen visa: AXA Schengen (most accepted by embassies). For long-term travel: SafetyWing (best value at $45/month). For adventure travel: World Nomads. For general travel: Allianz or Travel Guard.
For Schengen trips: $30-80 for 2 weeks. For UK/US trips: $40-100 for 2 weeks. Long-term travel (6+ months): $45-100 per month. Prices vary by age, destination, and coverage level.
Most 2026 travel insurance policies cover COVID-19 as any other illness. This includes medical treatment, quarantine costs (some policies), and trip cancellation due to COVID (varies). Always check your specific policy.
Yes. Most international insurers accept Nigerian Visa/Mastercard with international transactions enabled. GTBank, Access, Zenith cards work well. You can also use virtual cards like Barter or Chipper.
For visa applications: Buy 1-4 weeks before your embassy appointment. For general travel: Buy as soon as you book flights to get trip cancellation coverage. Most policies can be purchased up to the day of travel.
Travel insurance covers short-term trips including medical emergencies, trip cancellation, baggage, etc. Health insurance (expatriate health) covers ongoing healthcare for people living abroad. See our health insurance guide for longer stays.
Major accepted providers include: AXA Schengen, Allianz Travel, Europ Assistance, Mondial Assistance, and most international insurers. The policy must clearly show €30,000 minimum coverage and validity for the Schengen zone.