Do I Need Travel Insurance for Europe?

Traveling abroad is expensive, which might leave you asking: do I need travel insurance for Europe? While you might think nothing could keep you from seeing the locations you’ve always wanted to, a surprise illness, family emergency or large expense could lead you to back out of the trip. In that case, having cancellation protection is great. And even if you can go on the trip, your US-based health insurance won’t apply abroad. However, trip insurance can provide international health insurance, even if you just need an antibiotic for a sinus infection while traveling. Here are all the reasons you should consider covering your travels with an insurance policy. 

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Europe?

Most travel experts recommend purchasing international travel insurance. The cost of the insurance is generally not more than 5% of your total trip cost and often far less than that. It protects you from various scenarios, from lost luggage to accidents and illnesses while on your trip.

While the chances of needing the insurance might feel minimal, it’s there for all the unknowns and things you can’t predict when traveling. Your unique potential for loss is also a factor. For example, the older you get, the more likely you’ll suffer an injury or illness during the trip or before, preventing you from getting on the flight. For some people, an international medical bill could bankrupt them, meaning the insurance is well worth the small price tag. Others just paid out their entire nest egg for their dream trip they’ve been working toward their whole life and want to ensure they get to go on that trip no matter what their future holds.

If any of those scenarios sound like you, it’s best to talk to an insurance agent or head to a quote website for travel insurance as soon as you book your flight for your European adventure to protect your investment and your savings in case anything should happen while you’re on the trip. 

Do You Need Travel Medical Insurance for Europe?

While no one will require that you have travel medical insurance to visit Europe, it’s a wise decision to seek coverage. Without travel medical insurance, you’ll be liable for the full bill when you seek medical care abroad. Your US-based health insurance policy will likely not pay for expenses abroad.

Travel Insurance Coverage to Consider for Your Europe Trip

Most travel insurance plans come with five basic coverage options. But you can add-on coverages or look for policies that include those extra coverage options in the standard policy if they matter to you. Here’s a look at the travel insurance coverage options you might consider.

Trip Cancellation

Canceling a preplanned trip is expensive. You’ll most likely lose everything you’ve prepaid and invested in the experience unless you have trip cancellation insurance. This insurance provides coverage for unforeseen circumstances. 

You should seek this travel insurance when you pay most of the bill upfront. Many people on organized tours must spend thousands of dollars on European travel. Short-term rentals also require money upfront to hold your spot and likely won’t refund that money if you cancel.

Another reason to consider trip interruption coverage is if you or your fellow travelers are in poor health. You'll be ready if you end up with a surprise hospital stay or medical procedure prohibiting travel. 

You’ll have coverage if you or a travel partner cannot make the trip due to illness, a layoff or death. If the airline or other travel accommodation you had booked suddenly goes under, you’ll get the funds you paid back so you can book new travel. When emergencies prevent you from making your flight, such as inclement weather or a car accident on your way to the airport, the insurance will cover you to book a last-minute replacement flight.

Trip Interruption

Once you’re on your trip, many things can happen that might disrupt your plans. Trip interruption insurance can reimburse for a hotel stay, airport taxi fare, flight home and more. Your insurance policy will specifically outline when trip interruption coverage kicks in, but some common scenarios include the following.

• Death of someone on the trip with you
• Extreme weather
• Illness or injury
• Medical evacuation
• Natural disasters
• Terrorism

Trip Delays

Delays during travel can be quite costly. You might need emergency accommodations, spend additional funds on food or rebook a connecting flight or other transportation. Many airlines won’t cover these expenses if the delay is out of their control, such as weather. That means you’ll be left with the expense unless you have travel delay insurance.

Baggage Delay Coverage

If the airline loses your luggage or your luggage goes to the wrong hotel between European cities during a tour of the country, you’ll have coverage to purchase what you need until the baggage is returned. This can be helpful because of the cost of goods in European countries. 

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

You’ve planned the perfect wardrobe and stunning jewelry to accent those outfits. You've packed up any necessary medications and have all the essentials ready in your luggage. Then, that luggage gets lost in transit and you suddenly have to pay top dollar for a new wardrobe and essentials once you arrive. Lost luggage reimbursement can cover the value of the goods within your luggage, so you’re protected. 

Medical Expenses

The most common reason for trip cancellations and interruptions is a sudden illness or injury. Not only can you face large medical expenses while in Europe due to the price of health care and your health insurance won’t apply, but you might also have additional lodging expenses you’re liable for to cover travel partners while you’re receiving care.

Check with your U.S. health insurance company to see if it will cover you while in Europe. Most won’t, but you may have an outlier plan that provides the coverage you need. Ask about preauthorizations to ensure that getting care won’t be a problem. If your health plan doesn’t cover you, decide whether you could pay several thousand dollars if you need standard medical care. 

Cancel for Any Reason

Adding cancel for any reason coverage to your travel insurance can make the policy significantly more expensive. However, it does allow you to decide not to travel for any reason and not just covered reasons. That might mean you don’t feel up to the trip anymore or a small event at home is more attractive to you, such as a grandchild’s birthday. Most policies require that you purchase this insurance within 21 days of booking your travel and cancel the trip at least 48 hours in advance. But other than that, this insurance will cover you for just about anything.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

If you sustain an injury or accident during your trip, you might be transported back home or to a competent European hospital near you. That’s quite costly, as medical evacuations often involve helicopter rides with medical professionals. This insurance covers those expenses so you can travel with peace of mind and get to a medical facility that can treat you.

Rental Car Damage 

If you’ll be driving in Europe, getting rental car damage coverage is wise. The rules of the road are different there and you’ll be operating a rental car different from the vehicles you’re used to at home. You’ll have coverage for damage or theft of your rental car just in case you park it in the wrong spot or make a mistake in operation as you adjust to the differences in the rules of the road while traveling.

How Much Does Travel Insurance for Europe Cost?

Travel insurance averages just over $200 for two adult travelers. Many factors will determine the exact cost that you pay.

• Number of days
• Trip price
• Age of travelers
• Coverage options you select
• Travel destination
• Cost of the travel you’re covering (the more expensive, the more it will cost the insurance company to cover a claim)

4 Best Travel Insurance for Europe

When you’re planning a trip to Europe, remember to purchase travel insurance. Here are four leading options from reputable insurance companies.

1. Best for Online Quotes and Purchasing: Faye

Get coverage for nonrefundable expenses should something disrupt your travel plans. If you’re hurt during your travels, you’ll have the coverage necessary to cover medical expenses. 

You don’t need to find an insurance agent to help you purchase travel insurance. You can get a quote and purchase insurance from Faye entirely online. Enjoy 24/7 access to customer support to get the coverage you need for your upcoming trip, no matter the time of day. You can find answers to questions and ensure you’re covered, even if you are traveling immediately.

Faye holds an A (excellent) rating from AM Best, signifying its stability and security as a company. You can manage your policy from the convenient mobile app or even file a claim while on the go. 

Why We Love It: The average cost of the policy is $250. With online support and a streamlined purchasing process, you can manage your policy remotely anywhere and any time zone.

2. Best for Covering the Whole Family: Travelex Insurance Services

When you’re taking your children on the trip of a lifetime, you’ll get free trip insurance for them when you cover yourself. Children ages 17 and younger automatically get coverage if their trip expenses are less than their covered parent’s. Like most trip insurance companies, existing conditions will not be covered for medical expenses on standard policies. But you can add coverage for these conditions during your travels. 

You can get coverage for trips up to 364 days long. Another option coverage is for trip cancellations due to work reasons. This is nice for those who have inflexible jobs. 

Why We Love It: Travelex Insurance Services' coverage is comprehensive and you can choose additional coverage where you need it without paying for things you don’t need. It’s quite affordable, averaging just over $200 per trip.

3. Best for Simple Policy Options: Arch RoamRight

If you’re new to international travel and are looking for the main trip insurance coverage options, including trip cancellation and interruption, you’ll like the Arch RoamRight experience. Those who like to tailor their policy with additional coverage options or riders might find the two options limiting. But those looking to cover their trip with ease will appreciate the simplicity. 

A neat perk Arch RoamRight offers is coverage for a child aged 17 or younger with the purchase of coverage for a parent. That means if a family of four travels together, they can pay for the two adults and get the two children coverage for free.

Why We Love It: Fewer options are better since they make it easy for beginners to select the travel insurance they need. The plans come with $0 medical deductibles. You can also get a waiver for preexisting medical conditions at no extra cost if you meet the eligibility requirements.

4. Best for Insurance Comparison Marketplace: Aardy.com

If you’re price conscious or want to build your own policy with the specific coverage options that matter to you, head to Aardy.com to compare options. When you share details about your trip and the coverage you’re looking for, you can compare options across more than 30 plans.

Then, you can compare prices and coverage options or filter based on your policy preferences. Match your policy to your budget and enjoy savings. Aardy.com is partnered with many outstanding and highly rated travel insurance companies.

Why We Love It: With many policies and insurance companies, you’ll find exactly what you want within your budget. Aardy.com has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which emphasizes customer support and satisfaction.

Be Prepared for Anything when Traveling Europe

As you explore Europe, its rich history and incredible views, you don’t want to be worried about what might happen if you sustain an injury. Instead, enjoy peace of mind that if your trip is interrupted, delayed or disrupted or you suffer an illness or injury, you’ll be covered with trip insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions