Travel insurance for Europe

Compare travel insurance and keep safe while you're exploring the other side of the world.

From iconic countries like France to adventurous ones like Norway, Europe is home to 50 countries. Whether you explore one or explore them all, you should first explore your travel insurance options to be well covered should things turn south.

Viewing your options takes just a few minutes but could save you a bundle of hassle and money.

Compare travel insurance policies for Europe

Not long to go now …

DID YOU KNOW

• You can filter your results to customise your cover!
• You can choose from Basic, Standard or Comprehensive Cover

Not long to go now …

DID YOU KNOW

• You can filter your results to customise your cover!
• You can choose from Basic, Standard or Comprehensive Cover

More about travel insurance for Europe:

What am I covered for?

Common incidents and occurrences covered by most travel insurance plans include:

• Medical treatment. Getting sick or injured overseas is bad enough, but paying large sums of money just to see a doctor makes things worse. Some countries could have you paying up to thousands of dollars if you need to be hospitalised, so it’s important to find an insurance policy that can cover large medical expenses upfront.
• Cancellations and delays. With so many countries being so close together, Europe is full of small budget airlines. This means that there may be a good chance some flights will be cancelled, and you will have to take a flight at a different time. Missing one flight may mean missing your next flight, train or bus, leaving you out of pocket, and out of time. Most insurance policies will cover your travel expenses if your flight or train is delayed or cancelled.
• Lost/damaged luggage and personal items. Losing your luggage can really bring down the mood of your European adventure. Buying new clothes, electronics and luggage while overseas can put a major dent in your wallet. Fortunately, most travel insurance policies will cover any loss or damage to your personal items and luggage. Just make sure you double check what items are or aren’t included in the cover.
• Emergency support. This is crucial to any good travel insurance policy. Having an insurance provider that offers 24/7 emergency support can be a lifesaver if you get into a sticky situation overseas. From lost luggage, to theft, to medical emergencies, it always helps to have someone you can contact to ensure you receive the support and guidance you need to get you out of the messy situation.
• Death or serious injury. Although no one really wants to consider death or serious injury to be a possibility while travelling, it can happen. Most insurance providers will cover any expenses involved with death or serious injury, potentially saving your family and loved ones from spending thousands of dollars.

Before you travel anywhere check out Smartraveller where you can find travel advice associated with the country you are travelling to. Knowing the situation of a country before you decide to travel will influence what type of insurance you need to buy dramatically.

Check out these Europe travel tips

Which European countries are covered by travel insurance?

What aren't I covered for?

Common losses insurance companies exclude from can include the following. If in doubt, contact your insurer for clarification and confirmation.

• Using a scooter/motor bike without a helmet. It is your responsibility to take all necessary safety precautions when riding a motorbike or scooter. If you injure yourself while not using appropriate protection you will not be covered by travel insurance.
• Any undeclared pre-existing medical conditions. If you are hospitalised overseas for a pre-existing medical condition, it must have been declared when you bought your travel insurance or you will not be covered.
• Reckless or unlawful behaviour. If you purposely break the law, or act in an irresponsible and aggressive manner, travel insurance will not cover you for any legal, medical, or damage expenses.
• Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Losses incurred while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are rarely covered by travel insurance brands. It’s completely fine to have a few cocktails whilst on holiday, but it is unacceptable to drink to a point where you put yourself and others at risk.
• Leaving your luggage with the hotel after you’ve checked out. If you have an early check out, but a late flight, some travellers leave their luggage with the hotel concierge for a last-minute explore. That travel insurance does not cover your luggage for any loss or damages in this situation.

How much does travel insurance to Europe cost?

From a study of 10,000 quotes requested through Finder's quote engine, the most common age of travellers to Europe were 66 to 75 years olds. The average cost of travel insurance for a 66-75 year old going to Europe for two weeks is $184.81.

Prices last obtained October, 2015. Prices are subject to change.

What does a policy at $184.81 get you?

We searched quotes for the most popular demographic (66-75 year olds) travelling to Europe for two weeks. We included cruise insurance and came up with comprehensive cover for under $150 per person or basic cover for under $70 per person. The comprehensive policy includes:

Policy features	Limits
Cancellation fees and lost deposits	Unlimited
Dental Expenses	$1,000
Hospital cash allowance	$5,000
Overseas emergency medical assistance	Unlimited
Personal liability	$5,000,000
Travel delay expenses	$2,000
Overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses	Unlimited
Credit card fraud and replacement	$5,000
Luggage and personal effects	$10,000
Permanent disability	$25,000
Loss of income	$10,000
Accidental death	$25,000
Default excess on claims	$200
	Get quote

Quote obtained August 2018 and is subject to change.

Additional cover you may need in Europe

Europe is jam packed with adventurous activities from skiing in the Switzerland to cycling around Italy. Most standard insurance policies won't automatically cover things like vehicle hire and snow equipment. You usually have to add optional extras, or buy specific insurance cover. Some additional types of cover you might need include:

• Backpacking insurance. There are increased risks associated with backpacking in Europe, as most travellers on a budget choose cheaper airlines and accommodation. Backpackers insurance can cover lost luggage, theft of cash/items, medical emergencies and credit card replacement.
• Snow/ski insurance. Europe has some of the best ski slopes in the world. Many insurance providers offer snow, skiing or winter sports travel insurance which cover for damage to hired equipment, bad weather delays/closures, medical expenses, avalanches/evacuations and more.
• Car/motorbike hire insurance. Driving is a convenient way to get around Europe. Car or motorbike hire insurance covers you for accidents, theft, excess amounts, and rental deposits associated with your hire car. Be aware of the legal age for hiring a vehicle in many European countries is around 25 or over.

How do I make an insurance claim?

The process for claims differs with each provider. Most can be made online or over the phone. You may need to follow specific procedures, such as calling an emergency phone number or obtaining documents to provide proof of the incident, which the claims member will advise you of. Some tips to make the claims process easier include:

• Be detailed, accurate and specific when applying for insurance. Before purchasing your insurance, double check travel dates and countries visited. Clearly detail any pre-existing medical conditions to ensure you will be covered for them. If you're unsure whether a policy covers you for areas or activities, ask prior to purchasing your travel insurance. Better safe than sorry.
• Talk to your insurance provider. If you have any questions or want to make sure all of your information is up-to-date, give your provider a call before you leave.
• Document everything. For any incident, accident, flight delay or medical emergency, get written documentation from police, medical staff or airline staff. Providing proof will help make things go smoothly when submitting a claims.
• Take photos. Snap a pic of your luggage before you leave for a record of the items you're taking with you. If these are damaged or lost along the way it can be used as proof.

Find out more about travel insurance claims

Who do I contact in an emergency?

If you find yourself in an emergency in Europe some of helpful contacts include:

• You travel insurer. You insurance provider will have an 24/7 helpline for claims and medical emergencies.
• Australian Embassies and Consulates. You can find the contact details of Australian Embassies and Consulates in Europe below.

What to consider before booking travel insurance:

• Do I have to get insurance for long stays in Europe?

  For countries that are part of the Schengen Zone, a visa is required by its individual member countries for stays over 90 days. An accompanying travel insurance policy with at least EUR30,000 in medical cover and medical repatriation back to Australia is a typical requirement of such visas.

  If you stay beyond the date stated on your initial travel insurance policy you can usually extend your policy if you include the reasons you are extending your trip, where and when you will be travelling to and a disclosure of existing health condition and any changes.

  If you have any pre-existing medical conditions you must make sure you are covered for them. General medical cover usually won’t include hospitalisation for things like allergies, asthma or other conditions unless you specify them when purchasing your insurance.

• Q. Is every country I intend to visit covered?

  Make a list of all of the countries you are visiting and compare them with all of the countries your policy will cover. Make sure that the list you are planning on travelling to are covered by your European travel insurance. Use the list in the earlier section to work out if the countries you are planning on visiting are part of Europe.

• Q. Is the cover amount for personal belongings and luggage enough?

  Many people may be taking expensive cameras or laptops when travelling. Make sure the amount you are covered for exceeds your most expensive items, or you will be at a loss if damage or theft occurs.

• Q. Am I partaking in any sporting or physical activities?

  Many activities like skiing, boating, scuba diving and even riding a motorbike are not covered by most standard insurance policies. Make sure you can include these in your policy, even if that means paying an additional premium.

• Q. Am I covered for cancellations and delays?

  Unfortunately, cancellations and delays can happen quite frequently, especially when travelling to multiple destinations on budget airlines. Make sure you are not out of pocket if you miss a future flight due to other flight or train delays.

• Q. Am I covered for countries like Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia and Cyprus?

  Yes, you are covered for these countries by travel insurance if there are no official government warnings against travel to these places. Make sure you specify travel to these locations to your travel insurance provider upon purchase.

  Unfortunately, cancellations and delays can happen quite frequently, especially when travelling to multiple destinations on budget airlines. Make sure you are not out of pocket if you miss a future flight due to other flight or train delays.

Enquire About European travel insurance

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