As with any travel destination, accidents and mishaps can occur in South America so safeguarding yourself against the unexpected with travel insurance is a must. High levels of crime are prevalent throughout the continent, with pick-pocking and bag snatching a common occurrence. Adventure activities do pose a certain risk for accidents and private hospitals can be expensive so be sure your insurance policy covers such incidents. Certain areas in South America are particularly dangerous such as Colombia. Some insurance policies will not cover travel to certain countries, especially if your government has issued travel warnings against them. It is therefore vital that you check the fine print before you travel.
