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How to Get Travel Insurance in Nigeria
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How to Get Travel Insurance in Nigeria (2026)

Author Noella Lepdung

Introduction

Getting travel insurance in Nigeria is quick once you know what to look for. In short: work out what cover your trip needs, compare plans from licensed insurers, get a quote, buy the policy, and keep the certificate for your visa and your trip. This guide takes you through each step, and the checks that stop you buying the wrong cover.

Key takeaways

01You can buy travel insurance online, often the same day.
02Confirm your destination's requirement before you buy.
03Match the medical limit, territory and dates to your trip.
04Buy from a NAICOM-licensed insurer and keep the certificate.

Table of contents

01 · Prepare

Before you start: what to prepare

Have these ready before you begin. Knowing your destination's requirement first matters, because it sets the minimum your policy must meet.

Destination
Schengen, worldwide or a single country
Exact travel dates
Departure and return
Travellers' ages
For everyone on the policy
Cover level
Including any visa medical minimum
Passport & travel details
For each traveller
02 · Step by step

How to get travel insurance

1

Confirm your destination's requirement

If a visa demands cover, note the minimum. For a Schengen visa, that is €30,000 in medical cover. Our guide on getting travel insurance for your Schengen visa covers this in detail.

2

Choose single-trip or annual multi-trip

Single-trip suits an occasional traveller; an annual policy is better value if you travel several times a year.

3

Compare plans from licensed insurers

Look at the medical limit, the territory (Schengen-only versus worldwide), the exclusions and the price, not just the headline premium.

4

Get a quote

Enter your destination (the Schengen or worldwide option, not a single country if you need regional cover), your travel dates and the travellers' ages.

5

Buy and pay

Complete your details and pay the premium through the insurer or an authorised channel.

6

Receive and save your documents

You will get a policy document and a certificate. Save both digitally and on paper; the certificate is what you submit with a visa application.

Compare insurance plans →
03 · Check it

How to check the policy is right

Before you rely on it, confirm that the medical limit meets your destination's requirement, that the territory covers everywhere you are going, that your dates are right, and that the people named are correct. Check the exclusions, especially around pre-existing conditions and activities. To weigh plan types and coverage levels properly, our travel insurance comparison guide sets out what to compare.

04 · Avoid these

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake

Single-country cover for a regional trip

Instead: a Schengen trip needs cover across all Schengen states, not just your main destination.

Mistake

Choosing on price alone

Instead: a low medical limit or heavy exclusions can fail you when it matters.

Mistake

Leaving it too late

Instead: buy before your visa appointment and well before you travel, not at the airport.

Mistake

Not declaring a medical condition

Instead: an undisclosed condition can void a claim.

For travellers heading overseas, our guide to the best travel insurance plans for Nigerians travelling abroad helps match a plan to your trip.

05 · FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can I get travel insurance in Nigeria?

Often within the same day. Once you provide your trip details and pay, you typically receive your policy and certificate promptly, which you can submit for a visa.

What do I need to buy travel insurance?

Your destination, travel dates, the ages of all travellers and your personal details. For a visa, note the required medical minimum before you buy.

Can I buy travel insurance after booking my flight?

Yes, and you should buy it as soon as your trip is confirmed, before your visa appointment and before you travel, not at the last minute.

Where do I get the certificate for my visa?

The insurer issues a policy certificate when you buy. You submit that certificate as proof of cover with your visa application.

Your next step

Compare before you buy

Compare insurance plans from NAICOM-licensed providers, then buy the cover that fits your trip and your visa.

Compare insurance plans
06 · Conclusion

The bottom line

Getting travel insurance is a short, practical process: know your destination's requirement, pick the right plan type, compare on cover rather than price, buy, and keep your certificate. Done properly it takes minutes and protects both your visa application and your trip. When you are ready to choose, our ranking of the best travel insurance for Nigerians is a good starting point.

Insurance cover, premiums, limits, exclusions, eligibility and claim outcomes depend on current policy wording and individual circumstances. Visa and entry requirements are set by each destination's authorities and can change. Confirm the latest terms with a NAICOM-licensed insurer or authorised provider, and the current visa rules with the relevant embassy, before buying or travelling. This article provides general information and is not personal financial, legal or insurance advice.
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About Author

Noella Lepdung

Noella Lepdung, LL.B, is a strategist and writer specialising in financial services, SEO, and digital content. With a background in brand storytelling and organic growth, she creates research-driven content that makes complex topics accessible, engaging, and useful to readers. Her experience spans financial services, healthcare, and consumer brands, and her portfolio includes work for brands such as nairaCompare, Monieworx, Leadway Group, Budweiser, The Coca-Cola Company, Nivea, and Honeywell Foods.

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