When planning a trip to Europe, don't forget to take care of quality insurance. It is this important point that ensures that you are as protected as possible. Learn more about whether it is mandatory to have travel insurance for a trip to Europe, why you should take out a policy even if it is not required by law, and other important details

Many travelers who are planning a trip to Europe are usually interested in the question of whether it is necessary to buy a travel insurance policy before traveling. However, when it comes to travel insurance for Europe, the answer is not always straightforward.

What factors should be considered when choosing travel insurance for a trip to Europe? And in general, is it necessary to buy it? Let's talk further.

Is it necessary to have travel insurance for a trip to Europe?

Whether you will need an insurance policy when crossing the European border depends on your nationality and reasons for entry:

● Visa-free travelers - foreigners who have the right to enter the EU without a visa using the ETIAS system (for example, British, American, Canadian, Ukrainian or Israeli) do not need to provide insurance policy details during registration.

● Tourists who need to issue a Schengen visa to travel to Europe (for example, citizens of China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia) are required to have travel insurance at the stage of submitting documents to the visa center. Also, the policy must meet certain conditions - provide full medical coverage for at least 30,000 euros, as well as compensate for evacuations and repatriations for medical reasons.

● EU citizens – Travel insurance is not mandatory for EU citizens, as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should cover a range of medical expenses incurred in emergencies or in other European countries.

Why should you take out a policy, even if it is not required by law?

Travel insurance is an important part of your trip to Europe, as it ensures that you are covered in any case where you may need medical or emergency care. For example, if you get injured or get sick.

At a minimum, a visit to a doctor in EU countries costs from 40 euros, a day stay in a hospital is 130 euros, and you can pay 800 euros for calling an ambulance. Also, your trip may be canceled, you may lose your luggage, or you may have to return home suddenly. In each of the above-mentioned cases, travel insurance compensates the expenses incurred. In addition, travelers can take advantage of other services, such as round-the-clock assistance of a consultant in any corner of the world and airport transfer.

In general, only a travel insurance policy can protect you from unforeseen expenses during your trip and guarantee peace of mind.

Given the importance of having adequate protection for international travel, taking out travel insurance to Europe should be considered important and even mandatory.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a travel insurance policy?

Of course, the needs of each traveler are individual, but when choosing a policy, we advise you to pay attention to the following criteria:

● Level of cover – make sure your travel insurance covers all the risks that may arise while traveling in Europe – outpatient treatment, hospital stay, trauma care, evacuation, reparation etc.

● Cost – compare quotes from multiple insurance agents, find out the maximum amount of coverage for each benefit that these policies offer and choose which one suits your needs. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy won't always provide the best coverage, but at the same time, a policy that's too expensive may have benefits you don't need.

● Include additional risks in the insurance – for example, if you plan to engage in extreme sports, take this into account when choosing a policy.

● Duration of cover - make sure the policy will protect you for the duration of your stay in Europe.

● Check insurance agent reviews – see what other travelers are saying about the insurance company's performance.

● Read the fine print in the contract - pay attention to the wording and details of how you can make an insurance claim to your suppliers.

What does travel insurance cover for a trip to Europe?

Usually, the insurance policy compensates for the coverage of the following risks:

● Medical assistance up to EUR 100,000: doctor's visits, hospital treatment, acute diseases, emergency dental care, exacerbation of chronic diseases, herbs, burns, poisoning, reimbursement of drug costs, etc.

● Trip Cancellation Assistance – Plans can change quite often and you never know when you might need to cancel or postpone your trip, so you should have insurance to cover the financial losses you incur due to a canceled trip.

● Compensation for the cost of missing, lost or stolen items.

● Repatriation of the body to the homeland.

You can find out the detailed components of the policy exclusively from an insurance agent. Some plans may include additional benefits, while others may exclude certain services. Therefore, carefully read the coverage areas of your insurance policy before signing the contract.

What does travel insurance not cover?

Most travel insurance policies do not cover:

● Compensation of chronic diseases - exacerbation of chronic diseases during a stay abroad, if this is not an additional benefit of the insured.

● Cover for Loss of Expensive Gadgets – Providers offer coverage for lost, stolen or damaged items, but they do not cover the cost of expensive items such as laptops, expensive camera equipment, tablets, gaming consoles, drones, etc. If you wish to insure these items, you may need to add this for an additional fee.

● Planned medical examinations – insurance for emergency medical services does not include coverage for regular medical examinations.

● Injuries received during extreme sports - bungee jumping, paragliding, mountain biking, rock climbing, etc.

● Injuries received while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

How much does a travel insurance policy cost in Europe?

The cost of a weekly insurance plan for two people in Europe can vary from 40 to 100 euros, depending on various factors that affect the price of your insurance: the age of tourists, the number of insured persons, the duration of the trip, the state of health, additional benefits, etc.

Where to buy insurance for a trip to Europe?

You should definitely buy insurance policies only from verified agents. On the Visit World portal, you can purchase reliable insurance that has many advantages: packages for entering any country in the world, guarantee of payments, online payment, etc. A reliable policy in your mail in just 3 minutes.

To apply for insurance, follow the link, choose your nationality and country of destination and search for a policy that meets your requirements.

 

Importantly! The policy must be issued no later than 1 day before departure.

We wish you good travels!

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Medical insurance all over the world;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues (to receive the service, select the country of interest and citizenship).

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Health insurance for traveling abroad: a detailed guide.