Mandatory travel insurance

I am a British citizen planning to visit Tanzania for a two-week holiday in November. I already have comprehensive annual travel insurance from the UK which covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation and lost luggage worldwide, including Tanzania. My travel agent has now informed me that Tanzania has introduced mandatory travel insurance. Why should I be forced to buy insurance twice when I already have better coverage? 

PH, London

We understand why you may feel that you are being insured twice. The Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, GN No. 256 of 2026 (the Regulations) have introduced mandatory inbound travel insurance for foreigners entering Mainland Tanzania through airports, seaports and land borders. A foreigner falling within the Regulations must possess a valid inbound travel insurance policy, which can be purchased before travelling or at the point of entry. More importantly, a foreigner who enters Mainland Tanzania without the required policy shall be denied entry.

Your existing UK policy, irrespective of how comprehensive it may be, does not appear to substitute the prescribed inbound travel insurance. The Regulations provide that the inbound insurance is to be issued by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) or another registered insurer operating in partnership with NIC. The mandatory policy covers, amongst others, emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation and loss of luggage. Therefore, there may indeed be an overlap between what your UK insurer already covers and what you will be required to purchase in Tanzania.