When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times.

Travel Insurance for the Dominican Republic: Requirements & Tips

  • It is not a legal requirement for entry but travel insurance for visits to the Dominican Republic is definitely worth it.
  • Our top picks for travel insurance for the Dominican Republic come from AXA Assistance USA, Seven Corners, and IMG.
  • Your U.S. health insurance won’t work in the Dominican Republic, so it’s especially important to have travel medical and medical evacuation insurance.
  • In addition to medical emergencies, a comprehensive travel insurance policy will also cover trip cancellations or delays, lost baggage, and more.
  • The cost of travel insurance depends on many factors, including your age, the span of your stay, and the type of travel coverage you want.
  • To find the best insurance for your trip to the Dominican Republic, we recommend using an online comparison tool. This will allow you to compare multiple coverage options and quotes at once so you can find the best deal.

Our top picks for the best Dominican Republic travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure
Best for Full Coverage

AXA Assistance USA

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.22
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Best Value for a Robust Coverage

Seven Corners

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.37
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Best Rated for Travel Delay

IMG

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.24
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel SE
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $500,000

Do I need travel insurance to visit the Dominican Republic?

Though travel insurance isn’t required for stays in the country, purchasing coverage is definitely worth it because it provides added peace of mind both before and during your trip. For instance, if your trip gets canceled or delayed, you may be on the hook for non-refundable costs without travel insurance to help you out. 

Likewise, if you have a health emergency or medical conditions flare up during your stay, travel coverage may pay for your medical expenses so you don’t have to come up with extra cash yourself. 

Because crime is a risk on some parts of the island, travel insurance plans with theft coverage may also come in handy.

Our top picks for the best Dominican Republic travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure

Best for Full Coverage

AXA Assistance USA

4.22
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

PROS

  • High coverage limits in every category. Extremely comprehensive
  • Includes identity theft coverage & non-medical evacuation coverage
  • CFAR coverage reimburses 75% of prepaid travel expenses

CONS

  • Coverage cannot be extended unlike other plans
  • Medical limit is lower than other cheaper plans, but still sufficient

Best Value for a Robust Coverage

Full Policy Details

Seven Corners

4.37
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

PROS

  • Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Cancellation & Interruption coverage standard
  • Covers action sports & equipment

CONS

  • Cancel for any reason not included standard
  • Must meet waiver for pre-existing conditions to be covered

Best Rated for Travel Delay

Full Policy Details

IMG

4.24
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel SE
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

PROS

  • Purchase your plan up until one day before you depart
  • Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
  • Pre-existing condition waiver available if purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
  • Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered

CONS

  • Plan gets notably more expensive with age
Passport and Plane Ticket

How much does travel insurance for the Dominican Republic cost?

According to official Squaremouth data, the average cost of insurance for the Dominican Republic is around $175 for trips costing over $3,000.

Based on our own sales figures over the past year, the average cost of travel insurance for the Dominican Republic is $143.77 for a 12-day vacation.

For a basic travel insurance plan with medical and medical evacuation coverage, you can purchase a policy for as little as $1 per day. For more comprehensive coverage, we found a policy costs around $8 to $11 per day.

To help you better understand how much travel insurance will cost for your trip to the Dominican Republic, we got quotes from four popular insurance providers.

We used these details for our quotes:

In the table below, you can see our price quotes from four providers for basic travel insurance coverage.

Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cancellation / Interruption Limits Medical / Medevac Limits
Tin Leg Standard $5 $0 / $0 $30,000 / $200,000
Trawick International Safe Travels Explorer $19 $0 / $0 $50,000 / $200,000
Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic $25 $0 / $1,000 $100,000 / $250,000
AXA Assistance USA Silver $42 $0 / $500 $25,000 / $100,000

If you want a more comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, you can expect to pay a bit more from your policy. Our quotes shown in the table below show that this type of coverage typically costs around $8 to $11 per day.

Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cancellation / Interruption Limits Medical / Medevac Limits
Tin Leg Standard $58 $2,000 / $3,000 $30,000 / $200,000
Trawick International Safe Travels Explorer $63 $2,000 / $2,000 $50,000 / $200,000
Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic $75 $2,000 / $2,000 $100,000 / $250,000
AXA Assistance USA Silver $69 $2,000 / $2,000 $25,000 / $100,000

What should my travel insurance to the Dominican Republic cover?

Travel insurance plans should cover an array of potential issues you may face during your stay. Consider these types of coverage when purchasing insurance for travel to this tropical paradise.

Travel medical insurance

Travel medical insurance picks up the costs when you need medical treatment during your trip, and most plans include emergency care for COVID-19. This type of insurance is essential because the country doesn’t accept U.S. health insurance, preventing things like X-rays and exams from adding extra to your trip cost. 

Keep in mind that many policies don’t offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, so you need to select an insurance company that does when you have a high risk of health-related issues occurring.

Medical evacuation insurance

Compared to the United States, medical facilities in the Dominican Republic are often lacking. This means if you need medical treatment that medical professionals on the island can’t provide, you may incur large bills for evacuation on top of your trip cost. 

For example, suppose you have a pre-existing condition like heart problems and need emergency surgery that’s not available on the island. In that case, this medical evacuation coverage handles the costs of moving you to the nearest facility that can help.

Trip delay insurance

If you’re getting to the island via a common carrier like an airline, trip delay insurance reimburses you the costs for those postponements. For instance, if inclement weather delays your departure, trip delay insurance covers the cost of non-refundable airline tickets plus the bill for your additional hotel stay so you’re not out extra money.

Trip cancellation insurance

If you must cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, trip cancellation insurance provides financial coverage. Reasons for covered cancellations typically include emergency situations or legal issues only, but you can purchase coverage that handles cancellation for any reason. 

Most policies, however, only cover you in cases of terrorist attacks, illnesses that require hospitalization or the death of someone traveling with you. Other examples where trip cancellation may kick in include losing your job or getting called for jury duty. If you want coverage for canceling your trip for any reason at all, we recommend getting cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance.

Trip interruption insurance

If you’ve already paid for accommodations and travel and those expenses are non-refundable, trip interruption insurance offers peace of mind should emergencies occur. This coverage handles costs associated with having to return from your trip early, refunding you for prepaid lodging and travel costs. 

For example, if you have to evacuate due to an incoming hurricane or storm, this coverage helps make up for the lost part of your trip.

Baggage insurance

Lost, damaged or stolen luggage can ruin your trip, but baggage insurance covers you when this occurs. For example, if you’re waiting for your luggage at the airport carousel and it never arrives, baggage insurance pays you for the cost of items inside the bag up to a certain point.

Passport and Plane Ticket

How to choose the best Dominican Republic travel insurance

Choosing the best travel insurance for your trip to the Dominican Republic depends on multiple factors, including:

Beyond those considerations, you’ll also need to account for your budget and any additional protections you’d like to have included. 

Here are some quick tips to help you choose the best travel insurance.

1

Lay out plans in advance

To get the right travel insurance plan, you must provide a clear itinerary for the insurer. Factors like your mode of travel and how many carriers you use may drive up costs.

See More See Less
2

Pick plans that suit your needs

You know what you need better than anyone, so look for travel insurance plans that fit with your lifestyle. For instance, if you have pre-existing conditions, choose a plan that includes coverage for those medical emergencies.

See More See Less
3

Shop around for good deals

If you have lots of time before you leave for your trip, shop around for the best travel insurance plan prices. Compare each plan against the others, including how much they cover and any limitations on coverage, to get the best travel deals for you.

See More See Less

Dominican Republic travel information & entry requirements

This table gives an overview of what to expect when traveling to the Dominican Republic.

Query Details
Tourist visa requirements A tourist visa is only required for stays over 30 days. Additionally, tourists must have a round-trip ticket for entry into the country.
Passport requirements You must have a passport that’s valid throughout your visit. The passport must have one page available for the entry stamp
Local Dominican currency Dominican Peso (DOP)
Exchange rate 1 DOP = 0.0176 USD
Vaccine requirements None if arriving from the US.
-The CDC, however, recommends the following vaccinations:
-Chickenpox (varicella)
-Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
-Flu (influenza)
-Polio
-Shingles
-Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Is a COVID test required? No
Travel advisory level Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Emergency services phone number The emergency number is 911, and you can also report crimes to the POLITUR, the local tourist police, by calling (809) 202-2026. If you have issues that require help from your home country, contact the U.S. embassy at (809) 567-7775.
Is U.S. health insurance accepted? Medicare/Medicaid does not apply. Most doctors and hospitals don’t accept U.S. health insurance.

Do I need a visa or passport for the Dominican Republic?

Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay and have one page for an entry stamp. Whether you need a visa or not, however, depends on the length of your stay. If you plan on leaving the country within 30 days, you don’t need a tourist visa to visit the Dominican Republic.

COVID-19 restrictions

As of November 2023, there are no COVID-19 restrictions to travel to or from the Dominican Republic.

Is it safe to travel to the Dominican Republic?

Travel to the Dominican Republic is safe for the most part, but you do need to watch out for some possible risks during your stay on the island.

FAQ: Dominican Republic travel insurance

Do I need travel insurance for the Dominican Republic?

Buying travel insurance for the Dominican Republic isn’t required. Purchasing a policy is a good idea, however, due to opportunistic theft in some areas, dangerous road conditions, and the fact that medical services and facilities are limited.

How much is travel insurance for the Dominican Republic?

Travel insurance for trips to the island depends on a variety of factors, including your age and the length of your stay. For a 35-year-old traveling to the Dominican Republic for a week with a total trip cost of $2,000, we found that you can get a basic travel insurance policy for as little as $1 per day. For more comprehensive protection, you can typically expect to pay between $8 and $11 per day.

Does the Dominican Republic offer complimentary insurance to visitors?

In the past, the Dominican Republic provided all travelers with complimentary insurance. As of November 2023, however, the Dominican government no longer offers free medical or travel coverage when you visit.

Is Dominican Republic travel insurance worth it?

Yes, travel insurance is a good idea for numerous reasons. This coverage helps you recoup losses when emergencies occur while you’re on your island getaway so you’re not left with surprise expenses after your holiday ends.

Are health insurance and travel insurance for the Dominican Republic the same thing?

It depends on the travel insurance coverage that you purchase. Most travel insurance plans, however, cover health-related expenses and medical evacuation as well as travel-related ones like delayed, interrupted, or canceled trips.

Hayley Harrison
Hayley Harrison Personal Finance

Hayley Harrison is an active personal finance contributor for LA Times Compare. She is passionate about helping consumers make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals by simplifying complex topics relating to insurance and personal finance.

Hayley brings first-hand knowledge of the finance industry thanks to her previous experience as a branch manager for a mid-sized regional bank and as a licensed accident and health insurance agent.

BACK TO TOP