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European countries are welcoming U.S. tourists with open arms—and Americans are eager to travel again. Europe is packed with history, beaches, chic cosmopolitan excitement and religious treasures. The destination is particularly appealing because there are ample direct flights and you can visit more than one country in one big trip.
If you’re making European travel plans, don’t forget to lock in travel insurance.
Canceling a European Trip
When you’re planning a great trip to Europe the last thing you want to do is think about canceling it. But planning ahead in case you have to cancel is smart, especially if you’re putting down plenty of euros on a vacation.
Trip cancellation insurance can return 100% of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses if you have to cancel for a reason covered by the policy. Reasons generally include sudden sickness or the death of a close family member. Check your policy for the list of acceptable reasons for making a cancellation claim.
“It helps when you’ve spent a significant amount on making deposits and payments upfront and want to protect that investment,” explains Lisa Cheng, a spokesperson with World Nomads, a travel insurance company. Other reasons could include weather emergencies or terrorist emergencies, either in the U.S. or Europe.
Additionally, if you’re planning to go to certain countries in Eastern Europe, you should research well in advance any travel alerts related to increased incidents of crime or civil unrest, says Scott Adamski, spokesperson with AIG Travel.
For example, you might consider an optional upgrade like AIG Travel’s Security Bundle, which provides:
- Additional coverage in case of a security evacuation
- AIG’s Flight Guard (accidental death and dismemberment insurance)
- Coverage for trip cancellation/interruption due to riot or civil unrest
If you want the highest tier of flexibility to cancel a trip, consider upgrading your standard travel policy to “cancel for any reason”. This allows you to cancel the trip for reasons covered in the base policy, like fear of traveling or simply changing your mind. Reimbursement is usually 50% or 75% of trip costs.
To use this coverage you must cancel your trip at least 48 hours in advance. You can’t wake up and cancel the trip the day you’re scheduled to leave.
Also, the flexibility comes at a price: Usually about 40% more than a standard travel policy.
Trip Delay Insurance
Whether you’re going to one European country or visiting multiple destinations, travel delay insurance could be considered an essential coverage for visitors to Europe, especially if there are multiple legs on your trip.
“This benefit can reimburse you for covered expenses that you’ve had to incur because of airline or weather delays—for example, hotel stays, meals, taxis—up to a per day and total maximum benefit amount,” explains Cheng.
There are two things to remember about travel delay coverage: It usually starts only after a minimum amount of time (for example, six hours), and the delay has to be caused by a problem defined in your travel insurance policy, says Cheng.
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Trip Interruptions in Europe
There’s another benefit to travel insurance that could potentially save you a lot of money: Trip interruption coverage. Because a trip to Europe often includes several stops, you likely have multiple deposits paid in advance, especially during peak travel months.
If you need to return home due to a child’s health emergency—or other reasons listed in the policy—you can use your trip interruption benefits to cover last-minute flight changes, and recoup any deposits, payments and expenses that you will lose.
Getting Medical Insurance for Europe
Any international should mean a purchase of travel medical insurance. While traveling in Europe, your U.S. health plan (including Medicare) likely does pay for medical expenses like hospital bills, ambulance costs or doctor visits if you require medical attention.
A robust travel insurance policy will provide medical expense coverage in case you get sick or injured during your travels. Make sure you purchase your travel insurance at the time you book your trip. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, some policies grant a waiver if you buy your travel insurance within two to three weeks of booking your trip.
European travel generally includes day trips and tours with lots of walking. There are also foods that may not be cooked or prepared in the manner you are accustomed to. If you suffer food poisoning from dining out, or trip over a broken sidewalk, travel medical insurance is your safety net.
Medical Evacuations on a European Trip
Europe offers world-class medical centers, but you may not be in close proximity to one if you have an accident or fall ill.
For example, if you are in a port city along the Rhine River and you develop a reaction to shellfish you ate at a waterside café, getting medical attention quickly is required. There may be a local health clinic there, but if you develop life-threatening reactions like organ failure, a large hospital is best.
This is where emergency medical evacuation coverage can make a huge difference. Your travel insurer’s 24/7 emergency assistance team can dispatch a medevac to take you to a hospital to treat your serious condition. If your condition is serious enough you could also be transported back to the U.S. for medical care. This is why it’s good to have a high level of emergency evacuation coverage.
Related: Travel Insurance For A River Cruise
Insurance for Baggage and Belongings
Any travel overseas comes with some risk. In Europe losing your passport is particularly inconvenient if you need to show an ID at the airport or on a train.
Your travel insurance company’s assistance team can help direct you to get a temporary passport and identify the location of the closest consulate, says Cheng at World Nomads.
While in Europe, it’s important to take precautions against crime. Petty crimes and the theft of personal belongings is fairly common, especially in tourist areas packed with people. Don’t draw attention to yourself with flashy jewelry or expensive clothing or accessories.
If you do become the victim of pickpockets or thieves, report the crime to your tour company (if you have one) and the local authorities. You can make a claim under baggage/personal effects coverage for stolen items but you will need to provide documentation. Baggage coverage pays for the depreciated cost of your belongings, not the cost to replace them with new items.
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