This policy is off-sale at the moment because of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia

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High-risk travel insurance for Ukraine for journalists, media, humanitarian, aid, disaster and relief workers, conservationists, researchers, voluntary workers, missionaries, religious workers and charitable programmes.
		“Travel Insurance that covers you where others fear to tread”

Travel Insurance for Ukraine

 

Why Choose Us?

With the rapid rise and spread of terrorist activity over recent years, civil unrest, quickly evolving conflicts along with fragile political and environmental situations worldwide – even the most experienced travellers can quickly find themselves in challenging situations that can expose them to dangerous circumstances and unexpected accidents, illnesses and medical emergencies.

Our policies have been designed in close consultation between leading international travel and medical insurance experts and professionals operating at the frontline in the field of worldwide travel risk management, safety and personal security in fragile environments.

 

Flexibility, Choice and Strength of Security

We have designed our policies to offer you the flexibility and choice of covers you need when traveling abroad, all backed by the financial security and strength of proven service that underpins the product when you may need it most.

*Maximum trip duration to the USA is 89 days. The maximum duration for leisure trips is 31 days.

 

Coverage specially designed and included for:

 

 

Travel advise for Ukraine

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

Events in Ukraine are fast moving. You should monitor this travel advice regularly, subscribe to email alerts and read our advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas.

 

Eastern Ukraine

The FCO isn’t able to provide consular services to anyone in the parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts not currently under control of the Ukrainian authorities.

The security situation in the southeastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine remains highly unstable with ongoing clashes between Ukrainian armed forces and Russian-backed armed separatists. This has resulted in more than 9,500 deaths and the displacement of over 1.5 million people. Civilians continue to get caught up in the fighting.

It’s illegal under Ukrainian law to enter internationally recognised Ukrainian territory through a border point that isn’t currently controlled by the Ukrainian authorities. If you do so, you risk arrest or a fine, and you may be subject to a travel ban. International border crossings that aren’t currently under the control of the Ukrainian authorities include all land border crossings into Donetsk Oblast and many or the land border crossings into Luhansk Oblast. A list of open border crossings is available at the State Border Crossing Service of Ukraine

There are no scheduled flights into or out of Donetsk and Luhansk airport.

 

Crimea

The FCO is not able to provide consular services to anyone in Crimea.

Russian forces and pro-Russian groups have established full operational control in Crimea. Following an illegal referendum on 16 March 2014, Russia illegally annexed Crimea on 21 March 2014 and tensions remain high.

Ukrainian International Airlines have cancelled all flights to and from Simferopol.

All train and official bus services to Crimea have been cancelled.

It’s illegal under Ukrainian law to enter internationally recognised Ukrainian territory through a border point that isn’t currently controlled by the Ukrainian authorities. If you do so, you risk arrest or a fine, and you may be subject to a travel ban. International border points that aren’t currently under the control of the Ukrainian authorities include all air and sea ports in Crimea. A list of open border crossings is available at the State Border Crossing Service of Ukraine. To enter or exit Crimea, foreign nationals will need to provide their passport and a special permit issued by the State Migration Service of Ukraine.

The Crimean sea ports of Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia, Yalta and Yevpatoria have been designated by the Ukrainian authorities as closed to international shipping.

 

Other parts of Ukraine, including Kyiv

The situation in Kyiv and western cities is generally calm, although occasional public demonstrations take place in and around the Verkhovna Rada (parliament building) and elsewhere in Kyiv. You should remain vigilant and monitor the media for information about possible safety or security risks. Public demonstrations can flare up and turn violent with little warning.

You should take great care and remain vigilant throughout Ukraine. Avoid all demonstrations and take extra care in public gatherings.

The British Embassy in Kyiv is open to the public by appointment only. If you need to contact the British Embassy, please call +380 44 490 3660, or send an email to ukembinf@gmail.com

Around 55,000 British nationals visited Ukraine in 2015. Most visits are trouble-free.

Take care on the roads. There are a high number of traffic accidents, including fatalities.

Beware of petty crime, especially in crowded areas and tourist spots or when using public transport.

There is a general threat from terrorism.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

 

Safety and security

 

Political situation

Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible safety or security risks. You should avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, as even peaceful protests may turn violent.

 

Crime

Most visits are trouble free. But foreign nationals have been the victims of violent crime in Kyiv and other major cities. In some cases attacks have been racially motivated. Travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent and individuals belonging to religious minorities should take extra care.

You should report any incidents to the police. A list of local translators is available on the British Embassy website.

Be alert to the possibility of street crime and petty theft, which is on the increase in Kyiv. Foreigners may appear to be lucrative targets. Where possible, avoid walking alone late at night in dark or poorly lit streets. Keep valuables and cash safe and out of sight, especially in crowded areas, tourist spots, and public transport, where pickpockets and bag snatchers operate.

A common scam is to drop a wallet or bundle of money in front of a tourist. The criminal then “finds” the money and asks if it is the tourist’s or offers to share the money with them. If you are approached in this way, you should walk away without engaging in conversation.

Don’t lose sight of your credit cards during transactions.

Theft of and from vehicles is common. Don’t leave documents or money in your vehicle. Unregulated taxi drivers can overcharge. Use official taxis, which have the name and telephone number of the taxi company on the side of the door and on the top of the taxi.

Do not leave drinks or food unattended as they could be spiked. Beware of accepting drinks from casual acquaintances.

 

Local travel

Direct flights between Ukraine and Russia ceased on 25 October 2015 and on 25 November 2015 Ukraine banned all Russian airlines from transiting its airspace. Check latest developments with your airline or travel company before you travel.

Bus, trolleybus and tram tickets normally need to be validated by being ‘punched’ when you board. You can be fined on the spot if you are travelling with a ticket that has not been validated.

There is a wide network of minibuses. The fare is normally displayed on the window inside the minibus. You may need to pass your money to the driver via other passengers.

There is no metro connection to Kyiv city centre from Boryspil International Airport. The most convenient way to reach the city centre is by taxi. Alternatively you can take the ‘Sky Bus’ from the airport to the city centre (via Kharkivska metro station to the South Station of Kyiv-Pasazhirskyy train station). Sky Buses depart from Terminal D only. You can buy a ticket from the driver.

 

Chernobyl

A number of local companies offer tours to Chernobyl. Some areas around the reactor are covered by an exclusion zone, and you may need to get a permit and travel with a guide. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, although some of the radioactive isotopes released into the atmosphere still linger, they are at tolerable exposure levels for limited periods of time.

 

Road Travel

You must have a valid International Driving Permit to drive legally in Ukraine, as well as your UK driving licence. Make sure you have original vehicle-registration papers, ownership documents and insurance papers available at all times. These will be required if you are stopped by the police and when crossing borders. This also applies to rental vehicles. If you do not have these papers when stopped by the police they have the right to impound your vehicle and charge you for this.

Local driving standards are poor. Street lights are weak, speed limits, traffic lights and road signs are often ignored, and drivers rarely indicate before manoeuvring. There are a high number of traffic accidents, including fatalities. Speeding, drunk driving and infrequent use of helmets, seat belts and child restraints in vehicles are the main contributing factors.

Roads are of variable quality. Driving outside major towns at night can be hazardous. Avoid night-time travel wherever possible.

You must wear a seat belt. Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited. There is a zero-tolerance policy on drink driving.

There have been reports of traffic police stopping vehicles and levying on-the-spot fines for minor traffic violations. Ukrainian law allows the police to stop a vehicle. The police officer should give their name and rank, explain why you have been stopped and make an administrative offence report. Fines have to be paid at a bank within 15 days.

 

Rail travel

If you take the overnight train, make sure your belongings are secure.

Train timetables and ticket reservation is available online on the Ukrainian Railways site.

 

Terrorism

 

There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks have mainly been aimed at official Ukrainian targets, but could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

British nationals have not been specifically targeted. Most attacks have taken place in eastern and southern Ukraine, but there have been occasional attacks elsewhere, including in Kyiv where there remains a continued threat. There has been a series of explosions in Kharkiv which has included pubs and cafes. You should remain vigilant and avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.

There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.