In this article
While you review your itinerary and travel plans in Europe, do not forget to include one crucial factor that will make your adventure much more enjoyable – travel health insurance.
While this may seem the least exciting part of the trip, travel insurance is essential to your visit to Europe, ensuring you are ensured in any event you may require medical or emergency services.
To buy a suitable policy, you must first understand what is typically covered, where you’re usually covered in Europe, and the cost of a basic insurance plan. This way, you’ll be set for a safe and memorable European trip.
Get free quotes from Europ Assistance or MondialCare’sofficial websites, or compare prices on vti.travel to find the best travel insurance option for your needs while travelling toEurope.
Summary:
- Essential Coverage: Medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost items.
- Cost Factors: Varies with age, duration, and coverage; basic €20-€50/person, comprehensive up to €100 or more.
- Choosing Wisely: Get comprehensive coverage, include adventurous activities, and purchase early.
- Exclusions: Watch out for pre-existing conditions, expensive gadgets, and intoxication-related injuries.
- Reputable Providers: AXA, Europ Assistance, Allianz, Mutuaide, Mondial Care.
- Early Purchase: Buy when you book your trip for potential pre-existing condition coverage.
- Turkiye Coverage: Usually not included; consider separate coverage or worldwide insurance.
- Claim Process: Contact the provider immediately, provide detailed incident info, fill out forms, and pay the excess.
- Common Denial Reasons: Incident in a non-covered country, delayed reporting, non-covered activities or conditions, missing documents.
- Appeal Process: Contact provider for guidelines; legal action possible for unjustly denied claims.
Average Cost of Travel Insurance to Europe
The cost of travel insurance for Europe can vary depending on several factors, such as the length of the trip, the coverage you need, your age, and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. On average, a basic medical insurance policy for a week-long trip to Europe can cost anywhere from €20 to €50 per person, whereas a more comprehensive policy may cost up to €100 or more per person.
The type of coverage you choose and the level of coverage you need will also affect the cost of your travel insurance. For example, a policy that provides coverage for adventure sports, such as skiing or snowboarding, may cost more than a standard policy that does not include such coverage.
Several factors affect the price of your insurance, such as the following:
- Age. Usually, the older you are, the higher the price of your insurance, as people of older ages tend to require more medical attention.
- The number of policyholders. Single travellers usually pay less for individual coverage but more if travelling with a partner or other family members.
- Duration of the trip. The longer the trip, the longer the duration of your insurance, resulting in a higher cost of your premium.
- Health condition. A poor health condition may require more medical coverage, increasing your travel insurance’s price.
- Add-ons. The more additional benefits you add to your insurance, the higher the price of your insurance.
- Other factors. Other similar factors may also affect the price of your insurance, such as the provider, the coverage area, the deductible, and so on.
Why Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Europe?
Travel insurance for Europe is important as it helps protect you against unexpected expenses during your trip. For example, you may require medical services if you get injured or ill, your trip may be cancelled, you may lose your luggage, or you may even need to suddenly return to your home country. Medical insurance covers these expenses, saving you from paying several thousand dollars.
Overall, having a medical insurance policy ensures peace of mind as you travel and enjoy your trip to Europe without worrying about the costs of any unplanned events.
Please note that individuals needing a visa to enter the Schengen Area within Europe must purchase travel medical insurance, also known as Schengen Travel Visa Insurance.
Is Europe and Schengen Travel Insurance the Same?
No, there are several differences between Europe and Schengen Travel Insurance, as listed below:
| Feature | Europe Travel Health Insurance | Schengen Travel Insurance |
| Who needs it? | Recommended for travellers visiting Europe who are not required to have a Schengen visa. | Mandatory for travellers who are required to obtain a Schengen visa to enter Europe. |
| Coverage level | Comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and trip interruption. | Usually includes basic coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical treatment. |
| Coverage area | All countries in the EU and a few others outside of the EU. | It must cover every country in the Schengen Area. |
| Cost | Generally more expensive. | Generally less expensive. |
| Duration of coverage | Varies by plan and provider. | Typically, it matches the duration of the Schengen visa. |
| Minimum coverage limit | It depends on the policy and provider. You can start from €30,000 and go up to €100,000 | Medical coverage must be at least €30,000 to be acceptable for a Schengen visa. |
| Provider | A wider range of providers with varying reputation levels and customer service may offer it. | The coverage is more standardized and offered by a narrower range of providers but may have more consistent quality and customer service. |
| Best Policies |
|
|
Also read:
- Types of europe travel insurance
- Glossary of travel insurance terms
- Differences between Europe travel insurance and international travel insurance
Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Medical Insurance for Europe
Here are some important things you need to consider before you purchase your travel insurance policy for your trip to Europe:
- Coverage level. You need to make sure you find a medical insurance policy with comprehensive coverage, especially when it comes to medical coverage. You must ensure your policy covers the exact countries you’ll be visiting and includes other benefits such as trip cancellation, repatriation, and lost/damaged items.
- Cost. Make sure to turn to insurance comparison marketplaces or insurance brokers to compare and contrast different insurance prices and benefits. Check out the maximum coverage for each benefit these policies offer and see which one suits your needs. Please keep in mind that the cheapest policy will not always offer the best coverage, but at the same time, an overly expensive one may have benefits that you don’t need.
- Additional benefits. Prepare your trip to Europe carefully, so you know what you’ll be doing while there. For example, if you plan on partaking in dangerous activities, you must include additional benefits to your medical coverage. Also, some policies may allow you to customize your plan according to your needs, so consider whether this option works for you.
- Coverage length. Ensure that your policy covers you for the whole trip; otherwise, you may encounter problems if you exceed your maximum coverage length. For example, some companies may not allow you to extend your policy after the maximum length has passed.
- Provider review. Check the provider carefully, and find reputable providers who are experts with European travel health insurance. Verify their eligibility by checking out who underwrites the policy, checking out reviews from other customers, and checking to see if they have 24/7 emergency assistance. Ensure you pay attention to the feedback regarding claims others have filed with that provider.
- Common pitfalls to watch out for. Consider some common pitfalls you may encounter when purchasing your European travel insurance. Don’t assume all policies are the same— different providers offer different policies. Make sure you buy your policy on time and pay attention to the list of inclusions and exclusions for each benefit your policy offers.
- The fine print. Read the fine print of your insurance policy carefully. Pay attention to the wording and specifics of how you can file an insurance claim with your providers. Take your time before you buy a policy, and make sure you purchase an insurance plan that checks out all of your boxes.
What Does Travel Insurance for Europe Cover?
A good travel health insurance plan for Europe must include coverage for the following services:
- Medical emergency services. A common misconception visitors have when visiting Europe is that because most countries offer universal healthcare, they assume their medical expenses are paid. However, tourists shoulder the cost of medical insurance themselves. So, should you need medical care while travelling in Europe, you pay for the services out of pocket. This is why you need travel insurance to cover these services. For a trip to Europe, you’re usually advised to include coverage for medical emergencies up to €100,000.
- Trip cancellation coverage. Often, travel plans can change due to personal circ*mstances or other events such as natural disasters, now with Covid, even due to pandemics. You never know when you may need to cancel or delay your trip, so you must have insurance to cover the financial losses you experience from a cancelled trip.
- Coverage for missing, lost, or stolen items. During travels, you may encounter many issues, such as losing your luggage, having your things stolen, or losing them. Your medical insurance ensures you are covered in any of these unplanned events and helps you pay for replacing your items.
- Repatriation of remains. In the unfortunate event of accidental death or dismemberment, travel insurance must offer coverage for the repatriation of remains or emergency evacuation.
It’s important to remember that travel insurance plans differ depending on the provider and the type of policy. Some plans may include other added benefits, while others may exclude specific services. Read the coverage areas of your insurance policy carefully and see if it fits your needs.
What Is Not Included?
Usually, the following benefits are not included in a travel insurance policy:
- Pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing medical conditions are not usually covered by travel insurance unless your provider offers specific benefits. Some insurance companies may provide coverage for pre-existing conditions based on when you buy your insurance policy. Some providers may provide coverage only for the acute onset of a pre-existing condition.
- Coverage for expensive gadgets. While most providers offer coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged items, these do not include specific items such as a laptop, expensive camera equipment, tablets, gaming consoles, drones, etc. If you want coverage for these items, you may be required to pay extra for an additional benefit.
- Routine medical check-ups. Coverage for emergency medical services does not include coverage for regular medical check-ups. If you plan on visiting a medical facility in Europe for a routine check-up, you cover the costs alone.
- Adventurous activities. A basic health insurance plan does not include medical coverage for adventurous activities or sports (bungee jumping, paragliding, mountain biking, climbing, etc.). If you get hurt while doing a dangerous sport, your insurance won’t cover the medical expenses you incurred unless you specifically buy a policy with that additional coverage.
- Injuries due to an intoxicated state. If you get injured or require medical attention under substance influence (alcohol or drugs), your travel insurance won’t cover those expenses.
Depending on your provider, other benefits may not be covered by your insurance, so always check with your provider and policy first.
Best European Travel Insurance Companies
Some of the best insurance companies— based on their reputation, experience, and overall customer satisfaction— that offer medical insurance to Europe include the following:
- AXA Travel Insurance.
- Europ Assistance.
- Allianz Travel Insurance.
- Mondial Care.
- Mutuaide.
- DR-WALTER.
You can find other reputable insurance companies specializing in Europe insurance via the popular comparison websitevti.travel. Here you can compare and contrast several travel insurance plans from insurance providers: AXA, Europ Assistance, Allianz and Mutuaide.
You can see their different price ranges, coverage options, and additional benefits. With this, you’ll better understand what insurance plan suits you and your family for your European trip.
GET QUOTES ON VTI.TRAVEL
Related: Companies offering the cheapest travel insurance plans for Europe.
What if I Need to Make a Claim?
To make a travel insurance claim, first review your policy to understand the coverage and required documentation. Then, contact your insurance provider to report the claim and follow their instructions for submission. Remember that each insurance provider and policy works differently regarding claims.
What if My Claim Was Denied?
You can contact your insurance provider and appeal the decision if your claim is denied. If you are sure your claim was denied for no reason, you can proceed with legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far in Advance Should I Purchase Medical Insurance for My European Trip?
You should purchase your travel insurance plan as soon as you book your trip or you pay the first instalment towards your trip. Some insurance policies are more likely to include pre-existing conditions if you purchase your policy within a specific time frame, usually at least 14 days from the day you made your first trip payment. But this changes from provider to provider, so check carefully.
Is Turkiye Considered in Europe?
Turkiye is usually not included in European travel insurance policies. In most cases, insurance policies for Europe only cover the countries in the EU/EEA and Switzerland; this means to have protection in Turkiye, you may have to obtain worldwide travel insurance.
Tourists travelling to Turkey as well as to the EU have the following medical insurance options:
- Purchase two separate policies: one for the EU and one for Turkey
- Purchase a worldwide travel insurance policy
- Check if your Europe insurance provider allows you to add Turkey to your existing coverage
Some great worldwide travel insurance plans include Universal by Mutuaide, (with plans starting from £24 per person for a one-week trip), and World Travel Insurance by Mondial Care (with plans starting from £27 per person for a one-week trip).
Medical Insurance for Seniors Travelling to Europe
If you want to buy travel insurance for seniors, read our article ““.
Can I Purchase The Policy After I’ve Already Left?
You can purchase travel insurance after leaving for Europe or arriving in Europe. But know that your policy won’t cover any incident that may have happened when you were uninsured.
Can I Buy Medical Insurance For Just a Portion of My Trip?
You can buy travel insurance for only a part of your trip; for example, you’re travelling to Europe for a month, but you buy insurance for only the first two weeks of your journey. However, you cannot keep certain benefits with this kind of partial insurance.
For instance, if you want trip cancellation or pre-existing conditions coverage, you must buy insurance for the whole trip duration, not just a portion. Discuss this option with your provider before you purchase your insurance to see which option suits you better.
What Countries Are Included in Europe Travel Insurance?
Most travel insurance will include all the countries that are a part of the EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, in addition to Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
The list of countries where travel insurance is valid depends on your provider and policy, as some providers will include the UK and Turkey, while others don’t.
If you plan on visiting European countries that are not either in the EU or the Schengen Area (Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Monaco, Kosovo, etc.), you need to adjust your policy to have those countries included as well.
Can I Extend My Travel Insurance Coverage While in Europe?
You can extend your travel insurance coverage, but the extension process changes from provider to provider. Some insurance companies may allow you an extension by simply purchasing additional days of coverage, while others may ask you to buy a new policy altogether.
Additionally, some providers may not allow you to extend your policy if certain conditions apply to you, e.g., you already filed an insurance claim on your policy or have exceeded the maximum length of coverage your policy allows.
To extend your policy, you must contact your insurance provider in due time to let them know you need an extension. Also, please note that for travel insurance extensions, extra fees apply.
More Medical Insurance Guides
France Travel Insurance,Spain Travel Insurance,Germany Travel Insurance,Italy Travel Insurance,Switzerland Travel Insurance, Greece Travel Insurance,Portugal Travel Insurance,Netherlands Travel Insurance.
Information About Health Care System in Europe
Healthcare System in Europe, Healthcare System in Germany, Healthcare System in France, Healthcare System in Belgium, Healthcare System in Austria, Healthcare System in Spain, Healthcare System in Switzerland, Healthcare System in the Netherlands, Healthcare System in Portugal.
Did you find this page helpful?
Yes No
