The Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Complex Situations

Travel is becoming more complicated: some countries require mandatory insurance, others block bank cards, and still others impose quotas on cryptocurrency. We analyzed a real story and put together a step-by-step guide to travel insurance.

Step 1. Check the Entry Requirements of Your Destination

Professor John Popovich of the University of Illinois was preparing for a trip to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) to attend a National Science Foundation seminar. He purchased insurance through an online aggregator—but at the border, it turned out that the policy did not meet local regulations. Saudi Arabia requires medical insurance with coverage of at least $100,000 and accreditation from the local regulator.

What to do: Check the requirements on the embassy or consulate website. For Gulf countries, insurance from local companies is often required.

Step 2. Review the Policy Coverage

Standard travel insurance may not cover:

• evacuation in case of an epidemic;
• COVID-19 treatment;
• accidents during extreme sports;
• loss of baggage with expensive equipment (laptop, camera).

Popovich bought a policy for $45, but it did not include repatriation of remains—a mandatory requirement for Saudi Arabia. He had to pay extra on the spot.

Tip: Carefully read the exclusions. If you are traveling with crypto equipment (e.g., for mining), check whether it is covered under baggage insurance.

Step 3. Choose a Payment Method

Many insurance companies do not accept cards from Russian banks or cryptocurrency. To avoid trouble:

• use a virtual Visa/Mastercard issued through services like VirtCardPay;
• top up the card with USDT or other cryptocurrency before payment;
• keep the receipt and a screenshot of the confirmation—they may be needed for reimbursement.

Life hack: If the insurer does not accept crypto, buy the policy through an aggregator that works with virtual cards.

Step 4. Purchase Insurance in Advance

Do not leave it until the last day. Popovich bought the policy 2 days before departure—and did not have time to check if it met the requirements. In the end, he lost time and money.

Recommendation: Purchase insurance 1–2 weeks before your trip. If something is wrong, you will have time to replace it.

Step 5. Keep Documents and Contacts Handy

Print the policy and keep it in your carry-on luggage. Write down the insurer's hotline number and the consulate's number. Take photos of the documents and save them in the cloud.

FAQ

Question: Is insurance required for a trip to the UAE?
Answer: Yes, since 2020, medical insurance is mandatory for the entire duration of stay. Minimum coverage is 150,000 AED (about $40,000).

Question: Can I pay for insurance with cryptocurrency?
Answer: Not all companies accept crypto. Use virtual cards that convert USDT to fiat.

Question: What if the insurance does not fit?
Answer: Within 14 days, you can cancel the contract and get a refund (if no claims have been made). Check the refund conditions.

Conclusion from VirtCardPay

Travel insurance is not a formality but real protection. Before your trip, study the country's requirements, choose a policy with full coverage, and pay for it in a convenient way—for example, with a virtual card topped up in USDT. This will save you time and hassle.

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only. Consult a specialist before purchasing insurance.

Sources

• https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/05/07/868818.htm