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Travel insurance for Europe: What you need to know
If you’re planning a holiday to the continent this summer, taking out travel insurance for Europe can provide valuable peace of mind
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Travelling to Europe continues to be a staple for Brits planning their holidays. In fact, the 5 most visited countries by UK residents last year were all on the continent, with Spain taking the top spot; approximately 16.5 million visits to Spain from the UK happened last year.
Whatever your reason for visiting Europe, travel insurance can be vital. Comprehensive policies will not only cover you for medical emergencies, but also cancellation costs and lost or stolen luggage. Here, we explain what to watch out for when buying cover, and which countries European travel insurance covers.
Need travel insurance for Europe? Get a quote today via the Telegraph Media Group Travel Insurance Services, provided by AllClear.
Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
Yes. You should consider taking out insurance whenever you travel, especially when going abroad such as to Europe. It is not a legal requirement to have travel insurance to travel to Europe but it could prove a serious false economy to leave home without it.
Travel insurance for Europe provides you with a financial safety blanket so if anything goes wrong while you’re away, you won’t have to cover any losses or bills yourself. For example, if you have to cancel your trip before you travel due to illness or injury, or you need medical treatment while you’re away, your travel policy can cover these costs.
This type of travel insurance is also known as Schengen travel insurance as it provides cover in all 26 countries that make up the Schengen Area (where countries have abolished border controls at their mutual borders).
What countries are included in Europe travel insurance?
European travel insurance policies typically cover all countries on the continent of Europe. Some policies may also cover certain countries outside Europe, such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. Check your policy to find out which countries are included in travel insurance for Europe.
How much is travel insurance to Europe?
Generally, travel insurance to Europe is cheaper than travel insurance to countries further afield (such as the USA),.
The amount you pay for European travel insurance will depend on several different factors, such as your age, whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions, and the type of cover you want. For example, if you’re planning several European breaks over the year, it may be more cost-effective to take out an annual multi-trip policy rather than several single trip policies.
Can I still use my EHIC or GHIC card?
It is possible, and often recommended, to use your EHIC/GHIC card to access healthcare if you need it while travelling in Europe.
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that hasn’t expired, it will be valid until it runs out. The card entitles you to state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or for free.
It has now been replaced by the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which also enables UK travellers to state healthcare when travelling to Europe. The GHIC will not be valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
Neither the EHIC nor the GHIC should be seen as a substitute for travel insurance. These cards won’t provide you with any financial protection if your trip has to be cut short, for example, or if any personal possessions are lost or stolen when you’re away. They also don’t cover repatriation, whereas travel insurance will.
What should my European travel insurance policy cover?
There are several things to look out for when buying travel insurance for Europe. Most importantly, you’ll want a policy that provides comprehensive medical cover whatever your age or medical condition. That way, if you have a medical emergency while you’re away, you should be covered.
Your European travel policy should also cover your personal belongings, so if these are lost or stolen you won’t have to foot the bill to replace them yourself. Make sure your policy covers cancellation or curtailment up to the value of your trip, so that if you’re unable to travel your costs should be covered.
Travelling to Europe with a pre-existing medical condition
Some insurers won’t cover pre-existing health conditions, but there are policies that will provide you with specialist medical travel insurance for Europe. This means you can travel without having to worry that you’ll face hefty medical bills if you need treatment for your condition while you’re away.
Remember that it’s essential to be up front about any medical conditions you have as if you need to claim for an illness that you knew you had but didn’t disclose to your insurer, your claim will likely be refused.
When you buy medical travel insurance for Europe, you’ll be asked various questions about your condition, so that your policy can be tailored to your needs.
Insuring your next trip to Europe
If you’re travelling to Europe and looking for travel insurance to give you peace of mind, let us introduce you to Telegraph Media Group Travel Insurance Services, provided by AllClear. Whether you have a pre-existing medical condition, or are looking for a policy which covers Covid-19 claims, AllClear can provide trusted cover to suit your needs.
- Planning to go to Europe? Consider your travel insurance needs and get a quote today.
Read more:
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Telegraph Media Group Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of AllClear Insurance Services Limited, a company that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The above article was created for Telegraph Financial Solutions, a trading name of The Telegraph Media Group. For more information on Telegraph Financial Solutions click here.