Welcome to the best europe travel insurances and travel passes for europe!
On my backpacking trip to Europe in 2017, I needed to prep various things to get my visa and be ready including travel insurance and travel passes etc.!
This blog is going to take you through a few options available to those needing to take out travel insurance when traveling to Europe. Sometimes this is necessary when trying to obtain a Schengen visa! But otherwise pretty useful if you ask me!
Interrail / Eurail pass
Summary
First things first… what could possibly go wrong?
You might be wondering why it is important to have travel insurance? Besides the obvious visa requirements, it is really because something could go wrong when you’re abroad and you should want to be at least as prepared as possible for the worst-case scenario.
It is not to say that anything will happen at all, but to rest easy and feel assured on your travels it is something well worth considering!
A worst-case scenario might include a medical emergency. This tends to happen if travelers don’t agree with certain foods or a more common medical hiccup for travelers particularly in summer in Europe is that of sunstroke. Of course, there are more serious cases that you might want to be insured for such as breaking a bone etc.
Again, one must not fear this and be convinced it will even occur, it is really just for peace of mind that should something happen, your medical expenses could be covered. Also, different types of holidays perhaps increase certain risk of injury. For example, if you are on a skiing holiday you might be at risk of injury when on the slopes, this risk might be slightly greater than if you were on a beach holiday in Greece.
But it’s hard to say, and it’s not something one can truly predict… so why not just be prepared?
It is however important to note that there are different types of policies all varying in coverage and price range, so it is very important to understand exactly what you are insured for and what is not covered.
Some more comprehensive plans pay out for lost items on travel trips. This is of course something which sadly does catch a lot of tourists when in a new country.
This is however an important note when it comes to ensuring you keep an eye on your possessions at all times! I myself had an unfortunate situation in a hostel where an item of mine got taken, fortunately it wasn’t of too much value and replaceable! But sometimes, losing a passport or a cellphone can be hugely problematic! Good to know when searching for Europe Travel Insurance.
My advice: take a lock with you! When you’ve left your hotel/hostel room and you’re exploring the wonderful space you’re in (as you should) be mindful and lock away your valuables… Even make use of a safe in your room if one is provided! Just for valuables…
Also, last but not least we cannot forget about Covid-19. This of course has massively effected travel and many countries are desperate to see some travelers and tourists again.
But make no mistake, just because on is vaccinated and conscious of adhering to Covid-19 guidelines does not mean that it is impossible to contract. In fact, there is always a chance that Covid-19 might creep up on you and in that case you want to be able to have access to all the medical treatment you might need… let alone have somewhere to isolate and recover… all of these things costing money!
Travel Insurance options
Let’s get into the nitty gritty of it all, what options do I chose? There are so many!
First you must understand what exactly it is you need your insurance for. If it is for visa purposes make sure to thoroughly check that it is compliant with the regulations before purchasing it!
Currently there are a few requirements for a Schengen visa travel insurance. The official statement refering to travel insurance reads as follows:
“ Extract from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009”, which entered into force on April 5 of 2010:
“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000” (…)
This clearly indicates the exact amount that is required, however this information is continuously changing and it is important to refer to the official Schengen visa application porthole to gain the updated correct information! The site which this information was taken from is Schengen Travel Insurance
There are three recommended types of insurance you can gain which are recommended by the above site:
AXA
This is a great and well known option for many seeking travel visas. They have an active YouTube account which also gives great advice on how to go about accessing their travel insurance.
Another trusted and great option for you and your family to make use of. MondialCare has many different options and they too have information on their website which is worth investigating for more!
Another fantastic option, with their Moto being “you live, we care” I believe just about sums it all up.
It has been stated that all of these companies are recognised by European Embassies and Consulates worldwide*. You can also cancel your policies free of charge if you present proof that your visa has been rejected*.
*This information is subject to updating and we are not liable for any information which has changed. It is your responsibility to always ensure you take out the correct insurance for your needs
Interrail / Eurail passes
Another exciting element of planning a trip in Europe somewhere is that of transport and deciding where exactly you wish to travel! In my experience my best friend and myself bought interrail passes and this allowed us to make use of certain trains to book to use in between countries.
This is something which I would personally recommend if you wish to be spontaneous and use trains and other transports Eurail offers more freely.
Interrail
Interrail passes are truly a great way to travel, with lots of freedom and possibility it is ideal!
Summary on the best Travel Insurances and Travel Passes for Europe
Thanks for reading the best Europe Travel Insurance.
It is important to note that every single person has a different experience when traveling abroad. Whether traveling alone or in a group, traveling to somewhere familiar or completely new… you want to have a great structure to your travel.
Structure can be achieved by using a supportive and comprehensive travel insurance and also by making use of a travel pass such as the interrail and Eurail ones. Many individuals have different experiences with these products and this blog is not to be used as a direct source of information as it may become outdated overtime.
Moreover, not all people traveling to Europe need visas or insurance (it depends on your nationality).
If you enjoyed this blog you will likely enjoy some more of our Europe blogs! Check out the blogs below for more!
Thank you for reading Europe Travel Insurance.
I'm an animal and wildlife enthusiast and love diving and skiing. My favorite locations to see animals are: The Azores, Yosemite National Park, and California.
I'm a certified Advanced Open Water Diver with a Master of Science in Economics and Electrical Engineering.
For any feedback please message [email protected]
- Rhino vs. Hippo - December 12, 2022
- 10 Animals That Eat Plants - September 13, 2022
- 13 Animals That Lay Eggs - September 13, 2022
