Best Travel Insurance for European Trips: Comparing Coverage, Price, and Claims

Traveling through Europe without insurance is a gamble no experienced traveler would take. From unexpected medical emergencies in remote Alpine villages to flight cancellations during winter storms, the right travel insurance policy can save you thousands of euros and countless headaches. This comprehensive guide compares the leading travel insurance providers for European trips, breaks down the coverage types you actually need, and walks you through the claims process so you are prepared for anything.

Why Travel Insurance Is Essential for Europe

Europe is one of the safest continents to travel, but that does not mean it is risk-free. Medical costs in countries like Switzerland and Norway can be staggeringly high for uninsured visitors, with a simple emergency room visit easily exceeding 3,000 euros. Even within the European Union, where the EHIC card provides some coverage, the gaps in protection can leave travelers exposed to significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Beyond medical emergencies, travel insurance covers a wide range of scenarios that are increasingly common in modern travel. Flight cancellations and delays have become more frequent as airlines deal with staffing shortages and operational challenges. Lost or delayed luggage affects millions of travelers each year, and the emotional and financial toll of replacing essential items mid-trip can derail even the best-planned vacation.

Trip cancellation coverage alone can justify the cost of a policy. If you have booked non-refundable accommodation, pre-paid tours, or event tickets, a single covered cancellation event can save you far more than the premium you paid. Policies typically cover cancellation due to illness, injury, death of a family member, jury duty, and sometimes even job loss or severe weather events at your destination.

Understanding Coverage Types

Before comparing specific providers, it is important to understand the key categories of travel insurance coverage. Each type addresses a different risk, and knowing what you need helps you avoid overpaying for unnecessary add-ons while ensuring you are not left vulnerable.

Medical and Emergency Evacuation

This is the most critical coverage type for international travel. Medical coverage pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription medications incurred due to illness or injury while abroad. Emergency evacuation coverage pays for medical transport to the nearest adequate facility or repatriation to your home country. Look for policies offering at least 100,000 euros in medical coverage and 300,000 euros in evacuation coverage for European trips.

Pay close attention to pre-existing condition clauses. Many policies exclude coverage for conditions that were diagnosed or treated within a specified look-back period, typically 60 to 180 days before the policy purchase date. Some providers offer pre-existing condition waivers if you purchase the policy within a certain number of days of making your first trip payment.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel before departure for a covered reason. Trip interruption coverage reimburses the unused portion of your trip if you need to return home early. Standard policies typically cover cancellation due to illness, injury, or death of the traveler or a family member, as well as severe weather, terrorism, and sometimes even financial default of a travel supplier.

For maximum flexibility, consider a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade. CFAR policies typically reimburse 50 to 75 percent of your prepaid costs regardless of the reason for cancellation, though they must usually be purchased within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit. This upgrade adds significant cost to your policy but provides unmatched peace of mind.

Baggage and Personal Effects

Baggage coverage reimburses you for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal belongings. Most policies set per-item limits, typically between 250 and 500 euros per item, with a total policy limit ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 euros. Baggage delay coverage provides a daily allowance for purchasing essential items when your luggage arrives late, usually after a 6 to 12 hour waiting period.

Travel Delay

Travel delay coverage provides reimbursement for meals, accommodation, and essential expenses when your travel is delayed beyond a specified threshold, typically 6 to 12 hours. With the increasing frequency of flight disruptions across European airports, this coverage has become more valuable than ever. Some policies offer a flat benefit per day of delay, while others reimburse actual expenses up to a daily limit.

Top Travel Insurance Providers Compared

After extensive research and analysis of policy terms, claims processes, and traveler reviews, here are the top four travel insurance providers for European trips. Each excels in different areas, so the best choice depends on your specific travel style and needs.

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the largest insurance companies in the world, and their travel insurance division benefits from decades of experience and a massive global assistance network. Their OneTrip Prime plan is particularly well-suited for European travel, offering generous medical coverage limits, comprehensive trip cancellation protection, and an optional Cancel For Any Reason upgrade.

The standout feature of Allianz is their 24/7 assistance hotline with multilingual support. If you have a medical emergency in a rural area of Croatia or need to coordinate hospital care in Germany, their assistance team can arrange everything from hospital admission to medical evacuation. Their claims process is straightforward, with an online portal that allows you to submit and track claims digitally.

Allianz policies also include rental car damage coverage, which is valuable if you plan to drive through Europe. Their family plans cover all children under 18 at no additional cost when traveling with an insured parent, making them an excellent choice for family vacations.

World Nomads

World Nomads has built a strong reputation among backpackers and adventure travelers for good reason. Their policies cover a wider range of adventure activities than most competitors, including skiing, snowboarding, bungee jumping, scuba diving, and mountaineering. If your European itinerary includes paragliding in Interlaken or skiing in the French Alps, World Nomads should be on your shortlist.

One of the unique advantages of World Nomads is the ability to purchase or extend a policy while already traveling. If you decide to extend your European trip or realize you need coverage mid-journey, you can buy a policy online from anywhere. Their Explorer Plan offers enhanced coverage limits and covers a broader range of activities compared to the Standard Plan.

The main drawback is that World Nomads tends to be more expensive than some competitors, and their trip cancellation coverage limits are lower than what providers like Allianz offer. They also have higher deductibles, which means you will pay more out of pocket before coverage kicks in.

SafetyWing

SafetyWing has disrupted the travel insurance market with their subscription-based Nomad Insurance product, designed specifically for digital nomads and long-term travelers. Instead of purchasing a policy for fixed dates, you pay a monthly fee that provides ongoing coverage as long as you need it. This makes SafetyWing ideal for those on extended European stays or those who work remotely while traveling between countries.

The coverage is solid for medical emergencies and includes a home country coverage component, allowing you to maintain coverage during brief returns home. Their pricing is among the most competitive in the industry, especially for travelers under 40. The policy automatically renews every four weeks, and you can cancel at any time.

The notable limitation is that SafetyWing does not offer trip cancellation or baggage loss coverage. Their policy is focused purely on medical and travel delay protection. For digital nomads who travel light and book flexible accommodation, this trade-off often makes sense. For those with significant prepaid trip costs, supplementing with a separate trip cancellation policy may be worthwhile.

Heymondo

Heymondo is a newer entrant that has quickly gained popularity among European travelers for their competitive pricing and user-friendly mobile app. Their policies offer impressive medical coverage limits, often exceeding what larger providers offer at the same price point. The app provides instant access to your policy documents, a direct chat with their assistance team, and a one-tap emergency call feature.

Heymondo stands out for including adventure sports coverage in their standard policies rather than requiring an expensive add-on. Their claims process is highly digital, with the ability to submit claims directly through the app with photo documentation. Reimbursement times are generally faster than industry averages.

The trade-off is that Heymondo is a smaller company with a less established global assistance network compared to Allianz. For straightforward medical claims, this rarely matters, but for complex evacuations from remote areas, the larger providers may have more resources to draw upon.

The EHIC and GHIC: What They Cover and What They Do Not

If you are a citizen of an EU member state, EEA country, or the United Kingdom, you likely have access to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards entitle you to state-provided medical treatment in other EU and EEA countries on the same terms as residents of that country. However, they are not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.

The EHIC and GHIC cover medically necessary treatment at state-run hospitals and clinics. This means emergency room visits, necessary surgeries, and ongoing treatment for chronic conditions are typically covered. However, there are significant gaps that travelers need to understand.

First, these cards do not cover private medical facilities. In many European countries, private hospitals offer shorter wait times and more comfortable facilities, but treatment there will not be covered by your EHIC. Second, the cards do not cover medical repatriation. If you need to be transported back to your home country for treatment, the costs can easily reach tens of thousands of euros. Third, they do not cover lost luggage, trip cancellation, or travel delays.

Additionally, the EHIC does not cover countries outside the EU and EEA. If your European itinerary includes Turkey, the Balkans outside the EU, or the United Kingdom (for non-UK residents), you will have no card-based medical coverage in those countries. For these reasons, the EHIC should be viewed as a complement to travel insurance, not a replacement.

What to Look for When Choosing a Policy

Selecting the right travel insurance policy requires careful consideration of your specific trip details and risk tolerance. Here are the key factors to evaluate when comparing policies.

Coverage Limits and Deductibles

Always check the maximum coverage amounts for each category. A policy with low premiums may also have low coverage limits that leave you underinsured in a serious emergency. Pay equal attention to deductibles, which represent the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage begins. Lower deductibles mean higher premiums, but they also mean less financial exposure in the event of a claim.

Exclusions and Fine Print

Read the policy exclusions carefully. Common exclusions include injuries sustained while intoxicated, participation in non-covered adventure activities, and claims related to pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies exclude coverage for certain high-risk destinations or during periods of civil unrest. Understanding what is not covered is just as important as knowing what is.

Claims Process and Reputation

A policy is only as good as its claims process. Research provider reviews focusing specifically on claims experiences. Key indicators include the speed of claims processing, the responsiveness of customer service, and the percentage of claims that are approved. Providers with online claims portals and mobile app support generally offer faster and more transparent claims experiences.

Assistance Services

Look for providers that offer 24/7 emergency assistance with multilingual support. The ability to call a helpline in the middle of the night from a hospital in a foreign country is invaluable. The best providers will coordinate directly with medical facilities, arrange hospital payments, and handle evacuation logistics on your behalf.

How the Claims Process Works

Understanding the claims process before you need it can significantly reduce stress during an already difficult situation. While each provider has slightly different procedures, the general process follows a consistent pattern across the industry.

Step 1: Document Everything

From the moment an incident occurs, begin documenting. For medical claims, keep all receipts, doctor notes, prescriptions, and hospital discharge papers. For theft or loss, file a police report immediately and obtain a written copy. For flight delays or cancellations, get written confirmation from the airline including the reason for the disruption. Take photos of everything, including damaged luggage, medical bills, and any relevant correspondence.

Step 2: Contact Your Provider

Notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. Most providers require notification within 24 to 72 hours of an incident. For medical emergencies, contact the emergency assistance line before seeking treatment if possible, as some providers require pre-authorization for non-emergency procedures. Many providers now offer notification through their mobile apps.

Step 3: Submit Your Claim

Complete the claims form with detailed information about the incident. Attach all supporting documentation including receipts, police reports, medical records, and proof of travel. Submit everything through the provider's online portal or mobile app for the fastest processing. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Step 4: Follow Up

Claims processing typically takes 10 to 30 business days, though complex claims may take longer. Check the status regularly through your provider's portal and respond promptly to any requests for additional information. If your claim is denied, review the denial reason carefully and file an appeal if you believe the denial is incorrect.

Special Considerations for European Travel

Multi-Country Coverage

If you are planning a multi-city European trip, ensure your policy covers all countries on your itinerary. Some policies treat the EU as a single region while charging extra for non-EU European countries. Verify that your policy is valid in every country you plan to visit, including brief transit stops.

Schengen Visa Requirements

If you need a Schengen visa to enter Europe, you are required to have travel insurance with at least 30,000 euros in medical coverage. The policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay and cover all Schengen countries. Many providers offer Schengen-compliant policies specifically designed to meet these requirements.

Winter Sports Coverage

Standard travel insurance policies often exclude winter sports activities. If your European trip includes skiing, snowboarding, or other winter sports, you will need either a specialized winter sports policy or a standard policy with an adventure sports add-on. Verify that the specific activities you plan to participate in are covered, as some policies cover downhill skiing but exclude off-piste skiing or backcountry snowboarding.

Rental Car Coverage

Many travelers rent cars to explore European countryside. While rental agencies offer their own insurance packages, these are often overpriced. Check whether your travel insurance policy includes rental vehicle damage coverage, which can save you significant money. Also check whether your travel credit card provides rental car coverage, as combining card coverage with a travel insurance policy can provide comprehensive protection at a lower cost.

Money-Saving Tips for Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is an essential expense, but there are ways to reduce your costs without sacrificing critical coverage. Consider these strategies when shopping for a policy.

First, buy early. Purchasing travel insurance shortly after booking your trip gives you the longest coverage window for trip cancellation and may qualify you for pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR eligibility. Second, choose appropriate coverage levels. A solo backpacker with a flexible itinerary needs different coverage than a family with extensive prepaid bookings.

Third, consider annual multi-trip policies if you travel to Europe more than twice a year. These policies provide year-round coverage for multiple trips and typically cost less than purchasing separate single-trip policies. Fourth, compare quotes from at least three providers. Prices can vary significantly for similar coverage levels, and taking 15 minutes to compare can save you substantial money.

Finally, check your existing coverage before purchasing. Your health insurance may provide some international coverage, your credit card may include travel protection benefits, and your homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover personal belongings abroad. Understanding your existing coverage helps you avoid paying for duplicate protection. For detailed information on travel credit card benefits, see our dedicated guide.

Final Recommendations

Choosing the best travel insurance for your European trip depends on your travel style, budget, and risk tolerance. For comprehensive coverage with an established provider, Allianz is hard to beat. For adventure travelers and backpackers, World Nomads offers the broadest activity coverage. For digital nomads and long-term travelers, SafetyWing's subscription model provides flexible and affordable medical coverage. For budget-conscious travelers who want competitive coverage at a lower price point, Heymondo offers excellent value.

Regardless of which provider you choose, the most important decision is to have coverage in the first place. The cost of travel insurance is a tiny fraction of your total trip expenses but provides protection against potentially catastrophic financial losses. Before your next European adventure, take the time to compare policies, read the fine print, and purchase a policy that matches your needs. Your future self will thank you if anything goes wrong.

Ready to plan the rest of your trip? Check our guides on finding cheap flights to Europe and the ultimate Europe packing list to make sure every aspect of your journey is covered.