Travel Insurance for Europe: Which Should We Choose?

Are you planning a getaway to the old continent? Although you’ll generally find good, tourist-friendly services, you may encounter some difficulties, just like anywhere else. Being prepared for what may happen is a must. You’ll enjoy your trip much more knowing that you’ll have a backup support no matter what. That’s why today we want to help you find a good travel insurance for Europe. For many countries, it’s even essential for entry.

This type of insurance will cover any flight delays, lost luggage, or even health problems. So that you can choose the most suitable one for you, we are going to take a look at the coverage and prices offered by the most popular insurance companies. You’ll be closer to touring the landscapes of stunning countries like Switzerland or wandering through historic cities like Rome with the security of being covered.

Why take out travel insurance for Europe?

In general, travel insurance is a must no matter what continent or country you visit. Dealing with complications far from your own environment can be very complicated. In addition, in order to obtain a Schengen visa, it’s compulsory to have insurance covering medical and repatriation expenses for a minimum of €30,000 ($31,639 US). If you plan to visit countries such as Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, or Romania, you’ll need to take out a policy valid in all of them.

On the other hand, for example, imagine that during a walk through the cobbled streets of Rome you have a fall. Or that, after sampling the gastronomy in Budapest, you feel sick and need urgent medical attention. In such cases, uncovered medical costs can be very high. A consultation in a private clinic can cost between €100 and €300 ($105-316 US) and a hospital stay can exceed €1,000 ($1,054 US) per night in some countries. Although the public health care system in many European countries is accessible to residents, as a tourist you may face high bills if you need more specialised or quicker care in private clinics.

You’ll also need to be prepared for the usual risks of any trip. If your flight is cancelled and you miss a connection or your luggage is lost at a European airport, having good travel insurance can make a huge difference. It would cover the possible costs caused to you. In short, having an adequate insurance policy isn’t just a formality to comply with the Schengen visa, it’s also essential to fully enjoy your trip in Europe with the peace of mind of being covered in case of emergency.

What should a travel insurance for Europe cover?

If you’re planning a trip to Europe for the first time, you may be a bit overwhelmed with the cover you should require from your insurance. And you have a point. In general terms all insurers offer similar things, but the amounts of compensation and special cover will make the difference between adequate insurance and one that covers you fully. You should pay attention to the details when choosing your travel insurance for Europe. Let’s go through the things you should look out for.

Emergency medical care

Medical assistance is crucial. Bills for care in private clinics can break your budget. As mentioned above, a medical consultation in many European countries can range from €100-€300 ($105-316 US). The costs of a doctor’s visit, or worse, an admission ($1,054 US), could add up to a large sum. It’s therefore advisable to take out insurance with a minimum medical cover of €100,000 ($105,465 US). This will allow you to receive proper care without worrying about bills. In addition, make sure that the insurance includes health and emergency repatriation, with no limit on expenses.

Coverage for adventure sports

If you plan to do activities such as skiing in the Alps or hiking in the Pyrenees, check that your insurance includes cover for adventure sports. Many insurances don’t cover them as standard. This cover will protect you against any accidents that may occur while doing sporting activities, so that you can enjoy yourself to the full without risking high medical or rescue costs.

Loss or theft of baggage and compensation for flight cancellations

Can you imagine losing all your stuff in the middle of your adventure? If you plan to make several journeys and stopovers between European cities, be aware that there’s an increased risk of your luggage being lost or damaged. Good travel insurance should include compensation for lost or stolen luggage. If needed, you could replace your belongings without spending that much. It should also cover you for flight delays and cancellations, so that you can rearrange your trip without additional costs.

24/7 assistance

Having access to assistance at all times is key when travelling to another continent. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 multilingual telephone support. Many insurers also offer assistance via the app or emails. To make sure you can be in touch with support anytime, remember to sign up for your Holafly eSIM. Stay connected at all times.

Comparison of the best travel insurances for Europe

Now that we have seen why it’s important to take out travel insurance for Europe and what coverage is essential, we can move on to finding the policy that best suits your needs. To make it easier for you, we have prepared a comparison of the best travel insurances for Europe. In this table you can quickly see the coverage and benefits offered by each insurance policy. You’ll see more clearly the medical expenses, repatriation, outdoor activity cover, and lost luggage protection included in each one. Thus, you can choose the best option for your type of travel and budget.

The 5 best travel insurances for Europe

As you can see in the table above, although all insurances offer similar coverage, some stand out in specific features, such as medical coverage or rapid emergency care. In order for you to make a more informed decision, it’s best to review the main advantages and key points to consider for each insurance company. 

IATI

With more than a century of experience, IATI Seguros is one of the most recognised insurance companies worldwide thanks to its expertise in the tourism sector. Top features include offering personalised attention, which is essential for those looking for quick support during their trip. IATI also has an app that allows you to manage incidents quickly and efficiently, an advantage for travellers who value convenience.

This insurance company offers a wide range of plans, from basic options with essential cover to comprehensive policies including flight cancellation, repatriation, and adventure sports cover. This allows individuals, whether they’re looking for cover for short trips or extended stays in Europe, to choose the insurance that best suits their needs.

Main coverage:

• Medical expenses: From €100,000 ($105,465 US) for IATI Basic to € 5,000,000 ($5,273,250 US) for IATI Star.
• Repatriation: 100 %.
• Loss of baggage: €500 ($527 US) For Basic insurance, up to €2,500 ($2,636 US) for Star insurance.
• Adventure sports cover: Included in advanced plans. For more adventure activities such as canyoning or skiing, the “Premium Adventure” clause must be included in any plan.
• Refund for delays: €300 ($316 US) in IATI Star insurance.

Travel insurance plans and prices for Europe:

• IATI Backpacker: €53.99 ($58.39 US) for 7 days.
• IATI Basic: €32.90 ($35.58 US) for 7 days.
• IATI Standard: €38.88 ($42.05 US) for 7 days.
• IATI Star: €70.87 ($76.64 US) for 7 days.

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance is one of the world’s largest travel insurers, with a solid reputation built on more than 125 years of experience. Its global assistance network and wide range of policies make it a very reliable option for people looking for comprehensive support in Europe. In addition, it stands out for its online platform that allows you to manage claims, consult policies and contact 24/7 assistance quickly, ideal for resolving unforeseen events directly during your trip.

Allianz offers policies to suit different budgets and types of travellers. In Europe, your options include medical coverage of up to €1,000,000 ($1,080,000 US). And also lost luggage refund and advanced plans including cancellation insurance and flight delay protection, perfect for those looking for a comprehensive travel insurance.

Main coverage:

• Medical expenses: Up to €1,000,000 ($1,080,000 US) in the Premium plan.
• Repatriation and medical transport: 100 % Covered.
• Loss of baggage: Up to €1,500 ($1,620 US).
• Trip cancellation: Up to €1,000,000 ($1,080,000 US) in the Premium plan.
• Flight delay compensation: Up to €300 ($324 US).

Travel insurance plans and prices for Europe:

• Allianz Basic Plan: €35 ($76.64 US) for 7 days.
• Allianz Standard Plan: €50 ($76.64 US) for 7 days.
• Allianz Premium Plan: €85 ($91.80 US) for 7 days.

Chapka Insurance

Chapka Insurance is one of the most popular insurance companies for active and adventurous travellers in Europe. Based in France, it offers a wide range of products adapted to those seeking protection for moderate to high risk activities such as hiking, water sports, or mountain biking. The multilingual service, and the flexibility of its coverage make it a very attractive option for those who wish to explore Europe in an active and carefree way.

As you can imagine, Chapka’s plans stand out for their inclusive cover for adventure sports in the main policies, without the need to purchase additional add-ons. This makes their policies a cost-effective and efficient option for those planning outdoor activities. In addition, their medical coverage options range from basic plans to premium policies with coverage of up to one million euros.

Main coverage:

• Medical expenses: Up to €250,000 ($269,946 US) in the Basic plan. €1,000,000 ($1,081,395 US) for superior plans.
• Repatriation: Included.
• Lost or stolen baggage: Up to €1,500 ($1,620 US). €2,500 ($2,703 US) for superior plans.
• 24/7 assistance: Medical assistance at any time.
• Adventure sports cover: It includes activities such as hiking, diving, surfing or kitesurfing.
• Flight delays: Up to €150 ($162 US) in the Basic plan. €1,500 ($1,622 US) for superior plans.

Plans and prices:

• Cap Trip Plus: €35.59 ($36.92 US) for 7 days.
• Cap Basic: €26.76 ($27.75 US) for 7 days.

HeyMondo

HeyMondo is an innovative insurance company that has gained popularity among younger, digital travellers thanks to its integration of technology into its services. Its app allows for remote medical consultations and immediate incident management. It is a very attractive option for those who value convenience and speed of service. It also offers 24-hour multilingual service.

The insurance company offers different cover options, from basic to premium, including adventure sports and medical cover of up to ten million euros. An intermediate plan offering balanced coverage is also available.

Main coverage:

• Medical expenses: Up to €600,000 ($648,837 US) for “Ease of Mind Travel” and up to €10,000,000 ($10,796,250 US) for “Premium Travel”.
• Repatriation: Unlimited.
• Lost or stolen baggage: Up to €1,500 ($1,622 US) for the Ease of Mind plan and up to €3,500 ($3,778 US) for the Premium plan.
• Adventure sports: Included in the Complete modality.
• Civil liability: Up to €60,000 ($64,883 US).

Plans and prices:

• Essential Travel: €30.55 ($91.80 US) for 7 days.
• Ease of Mind Travel: €35.59 ($91.80 US) for 7 days.
• Top Travel: €57.18 ($61.82 US) for 7 days.
• Premium Travel: €76.01 ($82.18 US) for 7 days.

Intermundial

Finally, although not in order, there’s Intermundial. It offers excellent value for money. It’s ideal for those looking for comprehensive coverage without compromising on budget. Its plans are highly flexible, allowing you to customise your policy according to the type of trip and desired coverage. In addition, 24-hour multilingual service makes Intermundial an accessible option multilingual travellers in Europe.

Intermundial plans offer basic to premium cover, with adventure sports and unlimited repatriation options, all with unique flexibility to adjust coverage as needed.

Main coverage:

• Medical expenses: Up to €300,000 ($311,243 US) for the TotalTravel Mini plan, up to €2,500,000 ($2,593,000 US) for the TotalTravel Premium plan.
• Repatriation: Unlimited on all plans.
• Lost or stolen baggage: Up to €1,500 ($1,556 US) for the Basic plan and up to €3,200 ($3,320 US) for the Premium plan.
• Civil liability: Up to €100,000 ($103,750 US) in the Premium plan.

Plans and prices:

• TotalTravel Mini: €33.31 ($34.56 US) for 7 days.
• TotalTravel: €41.74 ($43.30 US) for 7 days.
• TotalTravel Premium: €65.78 ($68.25 US) for 7 days.

Which is the best travel insurance for Europe?

Bearing this information in mind, you may be wondering which one to choose. The truth is that they’re all good options and offer similar features. It’ll largely depend on the activities you plan to undertake and your requirements in terms of medical coverage. However, when comparing them and studying the experiences of other travellers, we could say that there’s one that stands out from the rest. For Europe, the IATI Basic policy is a highly recommended option. It’s comprehensive and affordable insurance.

IATI Basic offers medical cover up to €500,000 ($518,764 US) which is essential in Europe, where healthcare can be expensive. Especially if you plan to visit countries such as Switzerland or Norway. It also includes unlimited medical repatriation, so you’ll be covered in case you need to return to your home country in an emergency.

This insurance company also offers 24/7 multilingual assistance. You’ll be able to manage any incident within minutes, regardless of the local language. Are you going hiking or doing water sports? IATI Basic will also cover you for any incident you may suffer while practising them.

In case your trip includes longer stays or more specific activities, you can opt for superior plans. Options such as IATI Student or IATI Backpacker offer cover tailored to your needs. However, if you are looking for peace of mind and general protection, IATI Basic is the most balanced option.

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