Travel insurance for a trip to Europe protects your trip costs if something goes wrong before or during your trip, from a canceled flight to a family emergency that forces you to come home early.
This article will be your comprehensive guide to the best travel insurance plans for Europe. It will walk you through what essentials to look for and compare top plans to ensure your trip is as seamless and worry-free as possible.
What are the Best Travel Insurance Plans for Europe?
Based on cost, benefits, and overall value, our Customer Success Team recommends the following plans for travelers headed to Europe:
Best Value Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage: Pathway Premium
Pathway Premium is the more affordable plan out of the three plans, with great trip protection coverage. This plan covers medical expenses for up to $200,000, and medical evacuations up to $1,000,000. Plus, you can build your coverage with optional add-ons, rental car damage, an adventure sports rider, or a medical coverage upgrade, so you pay for what your trip needs.
Best Plan with High Medical Coverage at a Mid-Range Price: Trip Protection Choice
Trip Protection Choice sits in the middle when it comes to price, cheaper than iTravelInsured Travel LX but more than Pathway Premium. It combines strong trip protection with a $1,000,000 medical evacuation benefit and $500,000 in accident and sickness coverage. It also reimburses up to $2,500 for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage ($250 per item) and up to $1,500 for a missed tour or cruise connection. This plan is available for travelers up to 99 years old, with pre-existing conditions covered if purchased within 20 days of your first trip payment.
Best Premium Plan with Comprehensive Medical and Trip Coverage: iTravelInsured Travel LX
iTravelInsured Travel LX offers high medical coverage just like Trip Protection Choice, including $1,000,000 in medical evacuation and $500,000 for accident and sickness coverage. However, what sets it apart is that rental car damage and theft protection are automatically included rather than sold as an add-on. Having this coverage automatically included can be useful for those driving between countries, since a rental car incident abroad can otherwise be a headache to sort out.
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Seniors?
Older travelers often need higher medical and evacuation limits, along with a plan that clearly covers pre-existing conditions through a waiver. We break down the best travel insurance for seniors to Europe, including which plans qualify travelers up to age 99.
What is the Best Long-Term Travel Insurance for Europe?
Staying in Europe for more than 90 days changes what you need from a policy, especially if you’re applying for a Schengen visa for an extended stay. See our guide to the best long-term travel insurance for Europe for plans built for longer trips.
How Much Is Travel Insurance for Europe?
The cost of Europe travel insurance will depend on your destination, age, the length of your trip, and certain add-ons, like CFAR.
Listed below are the premiums for our best travel insurance plans for a 50-year-old solo traveler from the US traveling to France for 14 days with a trip cost of $3,000:
| Travel Insurance Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pathway Premium | ~$148 |
| Trip Protection Choice | ~$175 |
| iTravelInsured Travel LX | ~$271 |
Why Travel Insurance is Essential for European Trips
Even if you’re not applying for a Schengen visa or facing any formal insurance requirements, travel insurance remains a smart investment for any trip to Europe. Having a reliable insurance plan offers financial protection and peace of mind, ensuring that an illness, injury, or unforeseen event doesn’t dampen your experience or exceed your budget.
Protection Against Unexpected Medical Bills
If you fall ill or get injured while traveling in Europe, the cost of medical care can be high. Most domestic health insurance plans from your home country do not cover medical expenses incurred abroad, and even a minor illness or injury can lead to high medical out-of-pocket costs, not to mention the stress of dealing with such a situation in a foreign land.
A travel insurance policy ensures that you are financially protected against unexpected medical emergencies and medical treatment costs.
Coverage for Emergency Medical Evacuation
In extreme cases, an emergency medical evacuation may be necessary, especially if you are in a remote area with limited healthcare facilities. Emergency medical evacuation can be extremely expensive, with some costing upwards of $100,000. This coverage helps mitigate the cost and ensures that you are transported to the nearest medical facility for the proper care.
Lost or Delayed Baggage Coverage
Lost luggage and baggage delays are common issues for international travelers, especially if you have connecting flights. Most travel insurance providers will cover some costs associated with baggage delays or loss, ensuring that you are reimbursed for purchasing essential items while waiting for your luggage and not left scrambling without clothes or necessities.
Lost or Stolen Passport/Visa
Replacing a lost or stolen passport or visa can be costly and time-consuming. Some travel insurance plans cover the expenses associated with getting temporary travel documents so you can continue your trip or return home without additional hassle.
Repatriation of Remains
In the unfortunate event of a travel-related death, repatriation coverage helps with the cost of returning remains to the traveler’s home country. This is a vital benefit for families facing emotional and logistical challenges during a difficult time.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is offered by most travel insurance policies that can pay a lump sum amount of money to a chosen beneficiary in the unlikely event of death or serious dismemberment while traveling abroad.
This can help provide your family with support financially if you were to unexpectedly pass away or become seriously dismembered during your trip.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
Unexpected events, like a sudden illness or family emergency, can disrupt your travel plans. Trip interruption coverage ensures that you’ll be reimbursed for the trip cost if you need to cut your trip short. If your trip is canceled before departure, trip cancellation coverage can help recover non-refundable expenses.
Tips for Choosing the Best Travel Insurance for Europe
Choosing the right travel insurance plan involves understanding your travel needs and evaluating policy details carefully. Here are some tips to help you select the best coverage:
- Determine Your Needs: Think about your trip. Are you planning on getting a rental car? Do you want higher medical limits?
- Compare Coverage and Limits: Look closely at what each plan covers, including medical benefits, trip interruption, evacuation, and exclusions.
- Check for Pre-existing Condition Coverage: If you have any health conditions, verify whether your plan offers coverage or waivers for pre-existing conditions. You can verify the same by going through the plan details mentioned in this article, the plan brochures, or insurance providers’ website. Please understand the coverage details and exclusions carefully before finalizing an insurance plan for your trip.
- Read the Fine Print: Understand policy terms, including claim procedures, coverage limits, and exclusions, so there are no surprises later.
- Buy Early: Purchase your travel insurance shortly after booking your trip to maximize protection, especially for trip cancellation coverage.
Where Can I Buy Travel Insurance for Europe?
Purchasing travel insurance for your trip to Europe can be done conveniently online through travel insurance marketplaces like VisitorsCoverage. These platforms offer a variety of plans from multiple providers, making it easier to find coverage that fits your specific needs.
Advantages of Using a Travel Insurance Marketplace such as VisitorsCoverage
- Easy Comparison: Access a broad selection of policies from reputed travel insurance providers side-by-side, helping you quickly compare coverage options, limits, and exclusions without visiting multiple websites.
- Customizable Plans: Filter and tailor plans based on your priorities; whether you need coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or emergency evacuations.
- Convenience: Get all the information you need in one place, saving time and simplifying your research process.
- Competitive Pricing: Travel insurance regulations require that an insurance policy is priced the same no matter where you purchase it from. As a travel insurance marketplace, VisitorsCoverage helps you compare a wide range of plans and prices in one place. By using our simple quote tool, you get access to the best plans at the lowest possible price, without any added fees or markups.
- Expert Guidance: Marketplaces like VisitorsCoverage offer access to knowledgeable customer service teams who are licensed insurance specialists and will guide you through the process from start to finish, so you can make the best decision for yourself. Please note that your email or contact details are only required if you request assistance or need us to follow up.
