Why an ordinary travel policy won't work in Ukraine
Most international travel policies carry a standard clause that excludes any event caused by military action, armed conflict, or acts of terrorism. In practice, this means that a policy you buy from a regular provider at home will most likely not reimburse medical costs or evacuation if they're linked to shelling or an air-raid alert.
That's exactly why a trip to Ukraine calls for a specialised product — travel insurance in which war-risk coverage is written in explicitly, rather than carved out as an exclusion. It's a fundamental distinction, and one worth checking before you pay.
What the policy should cover during the war
A solid policy for a visitor to Ukraine covers at least the following areas:
- Emergency medical care — treatment of injuries and acute conditions, including those resulting from incidents linked to hostilities.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation — transport to a safer region or back home where medically necessary.
- 24/7 assistance support — coordination of help in a foreign language at any hour.
- War-risk coverage — clearly stated in the contract, with no blanket "military action" exclusion.
Before paying, it's worth confirming that the sum insured is realistic for the actual cost of treatment and evacuation, rather than just formally meeting the minimum requirements for entry.
How to read the territorial exclusions
No insurer covers the entire country without conditions — and that's normal and predictable. What matters is that the exclusions are described in specific, understandable terms. In a properly drafted policy they come down to four zone categories:
- Combat zones — areas defined by the relevant state acts.
- Temporarily occupied territories.
- A 50-kilometre buffer zone around both of the above categories.
- Areas under a special-access regime.
Note: a properly drafted contract never excludes whole oblasts. If you see wording along the lines of "the entire such-and-such oblast," that's a reason to read the document carefully — a reputable insurer ties exclusions to the actual status of a territory, not to administrative boundaries. Most of Ukraine, including many cities in the centre and the west, remains within the coverage area.
What else to check before buying
- Who the insurer and agent are. A reliable product is offered by an insurer regulated by the National Bank of Ukraine (licence class 18) that belongs to an EU-listed group operating under Solvency II principles. The selling agent holds USREOU code 44559356, and the distributor's identity is disclosed in line with the IDD requirements.
- Period and territory of cover. The policy dates should fully span your trip, including the days you enter and leave.
- How to make a claim. Find out in advance which number to call for assistance and which documents you'll need for reimbursement.
- Price. The market cost of this kind of protection is usually a few euros a day — you'll see the exact figure for your dates and conditions on the quote page.
How to arrange the policy online
The whole process is remote and takes a few minutes: you enter your travel dates and personal details, choose your sum insured, and get a price quote straight away. The policy arrives by email in a format you can show at the border or at a medical facility.
To calculate the cost for your own dates and arrange a policy with war-risk coverage online, head to the quote page — there you'll see the current price and the full list of terms before you pay.
In short
A trip to Ukraine calls for a specialised policy in which war-risk coverage is written in explicitly and the exclusions are limited to four specific zone categories rather than entire oblasts. Check the sum insured, the period of cover, and who stands behind the product — and arrange your protection ahead of time, before you cross the border.