Rugby World Cup – travel insurance a must, otherwise you may not be treated

Rugby World Cup in Japan – travel insurance a ‘must’ for medical treatment if you get caught in the scrum!

The Rugby World Cup is here and many fans will be excitedly anticipating their long haul trip to Japan. It is the first time that the Rugby World Cup has been hosted in Japan, and for many of the fans this will be their first experience of Japanese culture. Fiona Macrae, head of Travel Insurance Explained, runs through what rugby fans should be considering when heading to this corner of the world.

Healthcare

The Japanese healthcare system is of a very high standard, and if you get injured during your trip you should have no worries about the quality of the state hospitals. But medical bills are very expensive, so you need to have the right travel insurance cover in place. Tourists are often asked to provide proof that they have health cover before they are treated, so make sure you are appropriately covered and have your travel insurance details close to hand if queried.

Cultural Norms

Japan is an extremely beautiful country that is steeped in history and culture and with it comes a strong sense of sentimentality and tradition.

While it is likely there will be reason to drink during the world cup, for either celebration or commiseration, it’s worth noting the dos and don’ts when it comes to drinking in Japan. The good news is that the drinking laws are actually quite laid back across the country; public drinking is common, drinking on public transport is allowed, and there are even vending machines stocked with Sapporo and Kirin beer!  However, those who injure themselves while drunk could be left to pay any medical expenses themselves as travel insurers often have restrictions on alcohol intake in their policies. Some travel insurers will be more lenient than others, so make sure you check the alcohol clause in the policy wording.

Also remember drinking in royal parks is forbidden, while disrespect of any kind at Shinto shrines could see you hit with a large fine. This includes drinking, but also being too loud or littering, which carries a larger punishment in Japan than Britain.

Travel

The different games at the world cup are at varying different parts of the country, some many hours apart. Flying may seem the best way to travel the long distance; however, Japan has some incredibly fast bullet trains that will take you to the location in equal time for less cost. The best way to save money is to buy a rail pass for the duration of time you are in Japan which will allow you unlimited rail travel in that period of time. It should cost you just over £200 to buy a 7 day ticket. However, be aware, many travel insurance policies won’t cover the cost of tickets for internal journeys once you arrive at your holiday destination if you are delayed or need to cancel the journey.

Extended Holiday or Backpacking?

As Japan is such a distant country, many may turn the trip into an Asian exploration holiday and end up visiting places like Thailand or Vietnam. It’s worth noting that these countries have very different environments and rules to Japan.

Remember your vaccines

If moving onto the south-east Asia region you must check what vaccinations are required as many of the countries have risk of Malaria, Cholera and Hepatitis. If you’re only staying in Japan, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is recommended.