Travel insurance Japan
Japan: the Land of the Rising Sun, home to centuries-old castles and the latest in technological innovation. With so much to do and see, you’ll want to make sure your holidays aren’t hampered by any unforeseen circumstances.
Knowing that you’re covered if your flights are cancelled, if you end up in hospital, or if your luggage goes missing, could be the difference between feeling like your head is playing host to a Japanese game show, or taking in the serenity of a Zen garden. The best way to do that is by finding a travel insurance policy for Japan that suits your needs.
Why is travel insurance for Japan so important?
While Japan is a very safe country, the main risks for travellers are financial. Medical costs in Japan are high, and the Australian government's Smartraveller website strongly encourages all visitors to take out comprehensive insurance.
Specific risks for Japan include:
- High-cost medical care. A hospital visit or ambulance ride can be extremely expensive without cover.
- Natural disasters. Japan is prone to earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis, which can cause significant travel disruptions.
- Adventure activities. If you plan on skiing or snowboarding in Niseko or Hakuba, you will need specialised 'snow' cover for any slope-related injuries.
What types of travel insurance is available for Japan?
Travel insurance isn’t like car insurance with its very distinct tiers; policies can be structured quite differently depending on the insurer.
For the most part, though, they fall into two broad groups:
- Basic. Basic policies usually cover the major medical and hospital costs and maybe some token amounts of cover for other considerations like lost luggage.
- Comprehensive. Cover you for what basic does, plus a wider range of headaches like cancellations, lost baggage and delays.
From there, you'll find policies that split the difference or premium ones with all the bells and whistles.
If you will be doing activities with unique risks, like skiing, scuba diving or high-altitude trekking, you may also be required to take out additional cover if you want to protect yourself and your gear while partaking in those activities.
The point is, every insurer is different, so to be absolutely sure what's included and what you need as an optional extra, always check the product disclosure statement of any policy you’re considering.
FAQs about your policy
When is the best time to buy travel insurance for Japan?
It's best to buy your insurance as soon as you've booked your flights or accommodation. This way, your cancellation cover kicks in straight away, protecting you if an unexpected event, like an earthquake, forces you to cancel the trip before you even leave. Once the earthquake or other natural disaster hits, it becomes a ‘known event’ and won’t be covered by policies purchased after the fact.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Japan?
No, it's not a legal requirement to enter the country. However, some Japanese hospitals may be reluctant to treat you without proof of insurance, and given the sky-high medical costs, travelling without it is a massive gamble.
What does 'cancellation cover' actually pay for?
This is the cover that kicks in before you even leave. If you have to cancel your trip to Japan due to an unforeseen event, like getting seriously ill or a natural disaster (that wasn't a 'known event' when you bought your policy), it can help you recover the costs for your pre-paid flights and accommodation. It can also help you recoup other costs during your trip, for example if you have to cancel a day tour due to a covered event.
I've already landed in Japan and forgot to buy insurance. Is it too late?
It's much harder, but not impossible. While most standard insurers require you to buy a policy before you leave Australia, a few specialist providers offer ‘already overseas’ policies. These often come with a waiting period (eg, 24-72 hours) before the cover kicks in, so you won't be covered for anything that happens during that initial period.
What should I do if I need to make a claim?
Whether you’ve injured yourself while skiing in Niseko, or had your purse stolen at a Tokyo nightclub, you must report any incident as soon as possible. If you’ve read your policy’s PDS carefully, you’ll know the exact documentation that you will be required to submit with your claim. Generally, these will be doctors reports, hospital bills, police reports, or receipts, depending on the nature of your claim.
FAQs about medical and health cover
What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Insurers basically have three categories of pre-existing medical conditions: those they automatically cover with no disclosure necessary (for example, high blood pressure), those they may consider but only if you disclose the details (for example, epilepsy), those they won’t cover at all (organ transplants). So if you’re planning a trip to Japan and have any pre-existing decisions, make sure to review the PDS of any policy you’re considering and call up the insurer if you’re unsure.
What happens if I get sick or injured in Japan?
First, contact your insurer's 24/7 emergency assistance line as soon as it's safe to do so. Medical costs in Japan are very high, so you'll want them involved early to help manage the situation and any hospital bills.
FAQs about activities and specific events
Do I need natural disaster cover for Japan?
Japan is a country prone to earthquakes (don’t worry, most of them are minor ones). But in case there is a disruption to your travel plans due to a natural disaster, your travel insurance policy could cover you for any resulting costs. Some providers might require you to pay an extra premium for natural disaster cover. Keep in mind, your travel insurance only covers unforeseen events - that means if you're travelling to an area where the government has issued earthquake warnings before travelling, you won't be covered.
Do I need extra cover for skiing or snowboarding?
If you’re heading for a ski or snowboarding trip in Niseko or one of the other ski areas of Japan, then you’ll need to find a policy that offers snow travel insurance, either as an add-on to a standard international travel insurance policy, or through a travel insurance company that specialises in snow insurance. Without this added cover, you likely won’t be covered for injuries you experience on the slopes or for damage to your snow gear.
Am I covered for hiking on trails like the Kumano Kodo?
Yes, most standard policies will cover you for recreational hiking and light trekking. However, if you're doing serious high-altitude trekking (eg, over 3,000 metres) or going off-trail, you'll most likely need to add a specific 'adventure' or 'trekking' pack to your policy.
My trip is planned around my Japan Rail (JR) Pass. What if it's lost or stolen?
Depending on your travel insurance policy, you may be covered if your JR Pass is stolen, but not if you lose it. If your policy does include cover for lost pre-paid transport expenses and your pass is stolen, your insurer will likely require a proof of purchase and a police report. However, if you simply lose or misplace the pass, your policy will almost certainly deny your claim.
FAQs about common exclusions
What happens if I get injured while under the influence?
In most cases your claim will be denied if it’s because you were under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs. So be careful with that bottle of sake!
What if I just change my mind about the trip? Am I covered?
Unfortunately not. Travel insurance is meant to help out in an emergency or when things don’t go as planned - not for a change of heart. If you simply decide you don't want to go to Japan anymore, that’s on you.
Is my expensive new camera or laptop covered?
Most policies will cover basic gear like cameras and laptops but only up to a certain limit (say $750), which is clearly lower than some high-end gear. That said, you can usually list high-end items separately as a ‘high-value item’ for its actual amount. It will likely increase your premium, but it’s totally worth it if you’re heading to Japan with your expensive R5 to capture those lantern-lit lanes in Kyoto or rooftop views across Tokyo.
Do I need to add cover for a hire car?
If you plan on driving the scenic route in areas like Hokkaido or Okinawa, it's worth looking into rental car excess cover as part of your travel insurance. This will cover any excess you agree to pay to the hire car company if you damage their car. Since hire car excess can run into the thousands, your travel insurance can step in to help you out. Just check your PDS to see if it’s covered, in many cases it’s an add-on that you’ll need to pay a bit extra for.
