Why insurance is needed at all if no visa required
Since 2009 Russians travel to Argentina visa-free for up to 90 days. Formally an insurance policy isn't asked for at the border. But that doesn't mean insurance isn't needed.
First, airlines themselves require it when buying tickets on certain routes and at cruise check-in. Second, medical care in Argentina is formally free for everyone including foreigners — but that means state hospitals with queues and language barriers. A private clinic in Ushuaia or Buenos Aires charges $800–2,000 for a visit with CT scan, and 24 hours in ICU runs $3,000–5,000.
Third, if it's an Antarctic cruise — insurance with medical evacuation coverage isn't just desirable, it's mandatory. Without it you won't be allowed on the ship: Quark, Hurtigruten, Albatros, Aurora operators require a policy with evacuation limit from $100,000 and written confirmation of coverage for the zone south of 60° south latitude.
Minimum coverage amounts — what to aim for
- Medical expenses: from $50,000 for a city program, from $100,000 if there's trekking or a cruise
- Medical evacuation: $100,000–500,000. A medical flight from Antarctica costs $80,000–200,000, helicopter evacuation from deep Patagonia — $20,000–50,000
- Repatriation of remains: $25,000 minimum
- Trip cancellation: up to 100% of the tour cost
- Trip interruption: up to 150% of the cost
- Baggage: $1,500–3,000
- Baggage delay: $300–500
Riders without which a policy is useless
Active sports. Trekking up to 4,000 m, horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, climbs with rope protection — all this is classed as extreme in most policies and isn't covered without a special rider. Climbing Perito Moreno glacier with crampons formally falls under mountaineering.
Altitude. In northwest Argentina routes go through altitudes 3,500–4,500 m. Many policies exclude altitudes from 3,000 m.
Polar rider. This is the key point for Antarctica. A standard policy ends at 60° south latitude, and a cruise starts further south. You need separately written coverage for polar regions/Antarctica with the route and dates specified.
Pre-existing chronic conditions. If you have hypertension, diabetes, arrhythmia, asthma, any cardiovascular — declare this when buying the policy.
What Russian insurers offer
Major companies — Tinkoff Insurance, SberInsurance, AlfaInsurance, Sogaz, Ingosstrakh. Average price for Argentina for 14 days with $50,000 coverage — about 3,500–5,000 rubles ($40–55).
Pitfalls:
- Almost no Russian insurer currently covers the polar region under a standard program
- Sea evacuation in Antarctica as an option is absent from most
- Assistance works through Russian call centers
- Due to sanctions, some international partner clinics may refuse service
For a city program in Argentina a Russian policy works. For Antarctica and serious Patagonia trekking — practically not.
International options
World Nomads — popular with backpackers, covers most activities. Price for Argentina for 14 days with activities — about $80–130.
Allianz Travel — the largest European player, has separate programs with polar coverage. More expensive than average, $150–250 for 2 weeks for Antarctica.
IMG Global (Patriot Travel) — American insurer with good evacuation limits.
SafetyWing — relatively cheap subscription model.
Cap Travel Insurance, GeoEx Trip Protection, Anesco — narrowly specialized providers with full polar coverage. Price $200–400 for a 12–14-day cruise.
How much it costs — ranges 2026
| Program | Medical limit | Term | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Argentina (cities) | $50,000 | 14 days | $30–60 |
| Argentina with trekking | $100,000 | 14 days | $60–120 |
| Patagonia + active sports | $100,000–200,000 | 14 days | $80–150 |
| Antarctica with evacuation | $250,000–500,000 | 14 days | $150–400 |
| Argentina + Antarctica (combined) | $300,000+ | 21–28 days | $250–500 |
For 65+ multiply by 1.5–2.
What to look for in the policy itself
- 24/7 assistance in English or Russian.
- Direct billing to the clinic.
- List of included activities. Should be spelled out: trekking, hiking up to X meters, kayaking, horseback riding, zodiac landings.
- Polar regions. There should be a line like "coverage includes Antarctica/polar regions south of 60°S."
- Waiting period. Some trekking policies activate after 24–48 hours.
- Age limits. Many international programs cap coverage at 64–69 years.
Typical insurance cases in the region
- Sprained leg on the trek to Laguna Esmeralda. $3,000–8,000.
- Acute appendicitis on a cruise in the Drake Passage. Emergency vessel return or medical flight — $80,000–200,000.
- Altitude sickness in Jujuy at 4,200 m. $2,000–5,000.
- Lost luggage with expedition clothing. $1,500–3,000.
- 70+ passenger blood pressure spike on board. Evacuation to Punta Arenas — $30,000–80,000.
Declaring pre-existing conditions
This is the most common reason for claim denial. If you have diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, any cardiac issue, prior stroke or surgery in the last 6 months — you must declare it when buying.
Yes, the policy price will go up 20–50%. But in case of an incident assistance will request your medical record, see the chronic condition not declared at purchase, and won't pay for the flare-up.
Practical algorithm
- Define the route precisely
- Check requirements with the airline, cruise operator, tour organizer
- Gather 2–3 offers
- Compare not only price but: limits, activity list, direct billing availability, reviews of assistance work
- Buy the policy in advance — minimum a week before departure
- Print the policy and assistance number
- Save contacts in an SOS card along with blood type and allergies
What we do
For clients booking through Magellania, we help match the policy to the specific route: suggest what should be in coverage, which operators accept which insurance, and which clauses usually become a problem when a case occurs.