Best Travel Insurance For Trips To Europe of December 2024
Updated October 28, 2024 at 4:00 am
Protect Yourself and Your Finances During Your European Vacation.
Every European country is a unique destination with its own interesting and exciting cultural opportunities. But whether you’re planning to immerse yourself in the history of Rome or go on a high-altitude adventure in the Swiss Alps, it’s likely your trip will cost a significant amount. Plus, your primary health insurance might not cover you abroad. To protect yourself both financially and personally, it’s essential to get travel insurance for a trip to Europe.
The best travel insurance companies offer fairly affordable policies, multiple plans and coverage options for different types of travelers, and other perks to keep you safe and sound if the unexpected happens on your European vacation.
Our Methodology Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of small business services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility and credibility.
Key Takeaways Vault’s Viewpoint on the Best Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe
- There are a variety of travel insurance plans for your trip to Europe, so take your time deciding which plan is best for your upcoming excursion.
- The price of travel insurance for your trip to Europe can vary between $70 and $300, which means you need to budget for this expense into your overall trip costs.
- Remember, credit card companies can sometimes include travel protection for international trips, so you might not need as much coverage from a plan—compare, contrast, and save by eliminating paying for what you already have covered.
Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance For Trips To Europe
1. Allianz
Best for Several Policy Options
2. GeoBlue
Best Medical Coverage
3. Travelex
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4. Travel Guard
Best for Families
5. Seven Corners
Best for CFAR Coverage
6. InsureMyTrip
Best for Comparing Trip Insurance
Best Insurance Providers for Trips to Europe of 2024
1. Allianz
Best for Several Policy Options
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Allianz offers a broad range of policies for discerning travelers who’d like to compare different options. Besides choices, you’ll get perks like no deductibles for medical emergencies and abundant health and travel protections. Overall, this travel insurer is a great choice if you want options and comprehensive coverage.
Pros and Cons
- Suitable for many different types of travelers
- Offers pre-existing condition coverage
- Comprehensive health and travel protections
- Not the cheapest coverage among insurers we compared
- Annual coverage limits not disclosed
- Reimbursement rates not disclosed
Policy Highlights
- Emergency medical (up to $75,000)
- Emergency medical transportation (up to $1 million)
- Trip interruption (up to $300,000)
- Trip cancelation (up to $200,000)
- Lost baggage (up to $2,000)
- Baggage delay (up to $600)
- Travel delay (up to $1,600)
- Pre-existing condition coverage available
2. GeoBlue
Best Medical Coverage
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
GeoBlue offers very affordable medical-focused policies, and coverage limits and deductibles are customizable. This insurer’s Voyager Choice plan could be ideal for travelers with existing trip protections through their credit card issuer, as its travel coverages are minimal. Still, the medical coverage this plan provides is comprehensive, and the price is right.
Pros and Cons
- Pre-existing medical conditions are covered
- Can customize coverage limits and deductibles
- Several health and safety resources available
- Limited travel insurance protections
- Minimal dental coverage
- Minimal post-trip quarantine coverage
Policy Highlights
- Pre-existing conditions covered
- Emergency medical care
- Non-emergency medical care
- Emergency medical transportation ($500,000)
- Accidental death and dismemberment (up to $50,000)
- Repatriation of mortal remains ($25,000)
- Outpatient prescription drug reimbursement (50% to 100%, with $5,000 limit)
3. Travelex
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
With the Travelex Travel Select plan, you’ll get comprehensive health and travel protections with several optional add-ons. Besides the standards like emergency medical treatment and evacuation, trip interruption, trip delay and trip cancellation coverage, you’ll also get optional upgrades like cancel for any reason (CFAR), adventure sports and flight accidental death and dismemberment coverages.
Pros and Cons
- Several optional coverages available
- Can customize your policy to best meet your needs
- Up to 150% reimbursement for covered trip interruptions
- Not available for New York or California residents
- Pre-existing condition coverage only available if policy is purchased well ahead of trip
- Limited baggage coverage
Policy Highlights
- Pre-existing condition coverage available (in early purchase window only)
- Trip cancellation (up to 100% of trip cost, max $50,000)
- Trip interruption (up to 150% of trip cost, max $75,000)
- Trip delay ($2,000)
- Lost baggage ($1,000)
- Baggage delay ($200)
- Emergency medical expense ($50,000)
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains ($500,000)
- Adventure sports coverage available (in early purchase window only)
4. Travel Guard
Best for Families
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
If you’re traveling as a family, the Travel Guard Preferred plan offers free coverage for one child under 17 on your itinerary. Besides that, comprehensive coverage comes standard with your plan and optional add-ons like CFAR are available. While this isn’t the cheapest provider on our list, its reputation and range of coverage options make it worth considering.
Pros and Cons
- Free coverage for one child under 17
- Fairly comprehensive coverage with optional add-ons
- Up to 150% reimbursement for covered trip interruptions
- CFAR coverage reimbursement only 50% of trip costs
- Medical reimbursement rates and deductibles not disclosed
- Not the cheapest coverage available
Policy Highlights
- Pre-existing condition coverage available (in early purchase window only)
- Free coverage for one child under 17
- Trip cancellation (up to 100%, max $150,000)
- Trip interruption (up to 150%, max $225,000)
- Trip delay (up to $800)
- Lost baggage (up to $1,000)
- Baggage delay (up to $300)
- Emergency medical (up to $50,000)
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains (up to $500,000)
5. Seven Corners
Best for CFAR Coverage
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
Opting for CFAR coverage can give you added peace of mind that you can cancel your trip due to an unforeseen circumstance and receive reimbursement, but this coverage comes at a cost. Both the Seven Corners Basic and Choice policies offer inexpensive CFAR coverage compared to competitors, though the Choice policy is our top pick due to its higher coverage limits.
Pros and Cons
- Relatively high coverage limits
- Customizable deductibles
- CFAR coverage is inexpensive compared to competitors
- More limited coverage for Missouri and Montana residents
- Pre-existing condition coverage only available if policy is purchased well ahead of trip
Policy Highlights
- Emergency accident and illness ($500,000)
- Trip cancellation (up to 100% of trip cost, max $100,000)
- Trip interruption (up to 150% of trip cost)
- Trip delay ($2,000)
- Lost baggage ($2,500)
- Baggage delay ($500)
- Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains ($1 million)
- Pre-existing conditions covered
6. InsureMyTrip
Best for Comparing Trip Insurance
Vault Verified
Why We Chose It
If you’d rather compare several plans to make a highly informed decision, InsureMyTrip could be the best choice. This travel insurance comparison site lets you compare policies from nearly 20 top insurers like GeoBlue, Travelex, Nationwide and more.
Pros and Cons
- Can get multiple quotes quickly
- Can customize your policy with optional coverages
- Comparison feature makes it easy to compare policy details
- Comparing several policies may take more time
- Too many options could be overwhelming
- Doesn’t compare every travel insurance company’s policies
Policy Highlights
- Medical coverage
- Travel protections
- Evacuation
- Accidental death
How Is Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe Different?
Each European country offers a unique experience with different tourism opportunities. Thus, you’ll want trip insurance that offers sufficient protection whether you’re trekking across the Carpathians or taking long guided tours in Athens. The right travel insurance for trips to Europe will protect you no matter your destination or what type of traveler you are.
Families with multiple children have different travel insurance needs than solo travelers or couples, but that doesn’t mean insurance isn’t necessary or important. Trip insurance can reimburse you if you get sick, get injured or encounter unexpected travel hiccups, such as trip delays or lost luggage, during your travels. And unfortunately, these issues can happen to any traveler. Comparing plans and coverage options can help you select coverage that best meets your individual needs.
While travel insurance for Europe has its benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Here are the pros and cons of this type of coverage.
Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe:
Pros
- Provides peace of mind
- Reimburses you if you’re sick, injured or otherwise inconvenienced on your trip for a covered reason
- Can help you recoup some of your trip costs if you need to cancel unexpectedly for a covered reason
Cons
- Travel insurance costs may be higher for expensive trips
- Not all insurance companies offer the same coverage options or rates
- Exclusions generally apply, no matter the insurance provider or policy you choose
What Does Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe Cover and Not Cover?
As with all insurance policies, your specific policy will have stipulations of what’s covered vs. not covered. For this reason, it’s essential to read the fine print before obtaining coverage. Reading through prospective policies will help you understand potential exclusions.
In general, the following things are often covered by travel insurance for trips to Europe:
- Medical emergencies, including evacuation if necessary
- Dental care
- Trip interruption
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage loss or damage
- Repatriation of remains
- CFAR (optional)
However, you may not be covered in the following situations:
- Pre-existing medical issue (depending on policy)
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Storms, natural disasters or other issues that are already known
- Cancellations made within 48 hours of departure time
- Acts of war or terrorism
- Risky activities
- Unlawful acts
Likewise, certain destinations might not be covered by some policies. For example, if the insurance company considers an area to be high risk due to past conflicts, known safety issues or political turmoil, that destination might be excluded from your coverage.
How Much Can I Expect to Spend on an International Travel Insurance Policy?
Based on the quotes we received, the cost of travel insurance for a European vacation can range from around $70 to $300. Perhaps unsurprisingly, families with higher coverage needs will likely pay more for insurance than solo travelers seeking basic policies.
A trip from the United States to Europe can cost thousands of dollars, and generally, travel insurance policies for expensive trips come with higher costs. Thus, it’s important to keep the cost of your vacation in mind as you compare coverage options. Also consider your coverage needs and trip duration, as these will both impact your costs.
When and Why Would You Need Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe?
Many things are outside of your control when you’re traveling, which is why travel insurance can be so valuable. For instance, you’ve got to rely on airlines to ensure you arrive at your destination, and flight delays and cancellations are unfortunately too common. Here are some other reasons you might want a travel insurance for a trip to Europe:
- Baggage issues. Imagine arriving at your destination after a transatlantic flight only to find out your luggage was lost in transit. You have no clothes, toiletries, camera or phone chargers. Trip insurance can reimburse you if your baggage is delayed or lost.
- Medical emergencies. Perhaps you’re allergic to bees or a certain food, or maybe you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces for many miles each day. If this is the case, travel insurance can give you peace of mind that you’ll be covered if a medical emergency arises.
- Dental issues. Losing a filling or breaking a tooth is possible, whether you’re traveling or not. A trip insurance policy with dental care coverage can help ensure you won’t need to pay as much, or anything, out of pocket if it happens while you’re traveling.
- Travel support. Many travel insurance policies come with built-in, 24/7 travel support. This gives you peace of mind that you can get assistance if you need to make unexpected reservations or lose your passport.
- Unforeseen circumstances. Many policies let you purchase CFAR coverage as an add-on. With CFAR, you can cancel your trip for any covered reason and get reimbursed for your travel expenses. While you probably don’t plan to cancel your European vacation, sometimes unforeseen circumstances arise and cancellations happen.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Trips to Europe for You
If you’d like to purchase travel insurance for an upcoming trip to Europe, you’ll want to consider several factors to choose the best possible coverage for your needs.
Price
Unfortunately, insurance rates aren’t standardized across companies, so you’ll likely find that comparable coverage is considerably cheaper with one company than it is with another. Thus, it’s worth your time to get multiple quotes and review policy details.
Existing Coverage
It’s possible you already have some existing coverage that could protect you overseas. For example, certain health insurance policies might cover some medical costs abroad, though this coverage could be limited. Likewise, if you booked your trip using a top-tier travel card, your card might also offer certain protections, such as trip interruption, baggage delay or lost luggage insurance.
Check your travel credit card’s insurance coverages, as well as potential exclusions. Some of the best travel credit cards offer sufficient trip protections, so you might find you only need medical coverage, which could save you money on trip insurance.
Coverage Needs
Your existing coverage will play a role in your policy selection, but other individual needs matter as well. Other things that will factor into your coverage needs include:
- Whether or not you have a pre-existing condition
- Number of people your policy will cover
- Duration of your trip
- Your destination
- Needs and preferences
- Planned activities
Policy Features
Besides your coverage needs, policy features will be an important consideration as you’re selecting travel insurance for your trip to Europe. Get quotes and compare the following features before you obtain coverage:
- Deductibles
- Reimbursement rates
- Standard coverages
- Optional coverages
- Coverage limits
- Exclusions
Your future travel plans could help guide your decision as well. If your European vacation is your only planned trip this year, a single-trip policy will likely be sufficient. But if you’re traveling frequently in the next year or so, a multi-trip policy could be a more cost-efficient option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Insurance Do I Need to Travel to Europe?
You’ll likely need travel insurance for a trip to Europe. That said, the type of travel insurance you need will vary depending on your situation. For instance, those traveling for an extended period may need more coverage than those spending a week abroad. Consider your situation and needs to select the best trip insurance for your European vacation.
Should I Take My Health Insurance Card to Europe?
Consider carrying your health insurance card with you if your policy provides some coverage abroad. Even if it doesn’t, storing it in your purse or wallet for safekeeping could be a wise move. If your primary health insurance won’t cover you overseas, getting a travel insurance policy can help protect you during your trip.
What Happens if You Have to Go to the Hospital in Another Country?
You’ll likely need to pay for your hospital visit out of pocket if you have a medical emergency in another country. That said, you can generally get reimbursed for your hospital stay and treatment with proper insurance coverage. Sometimes your primary health insurance will cover medical expenses incurred while traveling; others, you’ll need to purchase separate travel insurance coverage.
Editorial Disclosure: We may receive a commission from affiliate partner links included on our site. However, this does not impact our staffs’ opinions or assessments.
