Planning a trip to Europe? While the sights, food, and culture you will experience is enough to excite any Aussie, it’s important to consider one crucial factor before you go: travel insurance.
Whether you’re hopping between cities or exploring the countryside, travel insurance is essential for protecting yourself against unexpected travel expenses and medical costs. From emergency medical cover and emergency assistance to reimbursement for a covered trip cancellation (and everything in between), travel insurance can provide the peace of mind you need to travel fearlessly.
But how much is travel insurance to Europe? We’ll reveal the true cost and help you understand why insurance for Europe is worth it.
Travel Insurance Basics
Before we get into costs, here’s a quick overview of what travel insurance is. Travel insurance is a type of short-term insurance designed to cover individuals and groups as they travel domestically and abroad.
Travel insurance is not designed to cover regular wellness visits or preventive care, but it can provide cover for unexpected medical bills if you get hurt or sick and need treatment during your overseas holiday. It can also cover travel complications and mishaps, like if you need to cancel your trip and are forced to forfeit your non-refundable expenses, or if your airline loses your luggage.
Here is a highlight of some essential covers to look for in a travel plan for Europe:
- Travel Medical – covers medical treatment of unexpected injuries and illnesses, including hospital bills and medical evacuation if necessary
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption – provides reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel your trip or return home early due to a covered reason, like an illness that prevents you from travelling or the death of a family member
- Travel Delay Package – reimbursement for reasonable expenses if you are unexpectedly delayed for a specific period (often 6 hours or more) and need to book accommodations for which you had not planned
- Personal Accident – provides compensation to you or your beneficiary if you experience an accidental bodily injury that results in death or permanent total disablement
- Personal Liability – cover for your legal liability if you accidentally cause property damage or injure someone due to negligence
- Baggage and Personal Effects – compensation for lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed luggage so you can replace necessary items and continue on your trip
What Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover: Common Exclusions and Limitations
Before purchasing travel insurance cover and jetting off to Europe, it’s vital that you review your policy in full to understand what is and isn’t covered. Here are some common exclusions and limitations to be aware of:
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Some policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions entirely. Others offer some cover if you meet specific requirements. Be sure to understand how your travel insurance policy defines pre-existing conditions, whether it includes any cover, and whether you are eligible.
- High-Risk Activities: A travel insurance policy may exclude adventure sports and high-risk activities (think snow sports, water sports, motorsports, etc.), meaning you won’t be covered for any injuries incurred while taking part in these activities. Some may offer add-ons, at an additional cost, to cover certain activities.
- High-Risk Countries: There are certain countries where your insurance cover may not apply. For example, our international single trip plan excludes cover for countries under a “do not travel” warning from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). One plan can cover multiple destinations, so be sure to add all your European destinations to your travel insurance policy during purchase and be sure to check travel alerts at smartraveller.gov.au before and during your holiday.
- Reckless or Illegal Behaviour: Reckless behaviour could mean trespassing, drinking excessively (to the point of impairment), leaving your belongings unattended, and more. Of course, you’ll always need to follow the local laws of the European countries you are visiting. You can learn about local laws by viewing your destinations on Smartraveller’s Europe page.
This is not a full list of travel insurance exclusions. Always read your product disclosure statement (PDS) to learn the ins and outs of your specific policy. You can also learn more about what is not typically covered here.
Why Europe Travel Insurance Is Essential for Australians
Travel insurance cover for Europe is essential for a number of reasons. One is that overseas medical care can be expensive, and a sudden injury or illness can happen anywhere—whether you’re exploring the ruins of Rome or cycling through the French countryside.
“Be aware that you’ll have to pay the full cost of your emergency medical care yourself. Most countries won’t subsidise the cost of your treatment through their public health system,” shares Smartraveller, the Australian government’s travel safety website for Aussie travellers. Unfortunately, overseas medical bills can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. “Without [travel insurance], you or your family could suffer financially.”
Another reason Australians need insurance for Europe is the continent’s infamous unpredictable weather, as well as the potential for transportation strikes and flight delays that can throw a wrench in any Aussie’s travel plans.
Trip insurance can cover trip cancellations and interruptions resulting from bad weather and other covered events, travel delays, stolen or lost baggage and personal effects, and even personal liability, ensuring you’re protected against unanticipated expenses.
The Importance of Round-the-Clock Customer Support
Many travel insurance providers, like ours, provide 24/7 emergency assistance and support to Australian travellers, no matter where they are travelling or what time it is. Lost your travel documents in Prague? Your insurance provider can help you contact the embassy and sort out the paperwork. Stuck in Barcelona due to a delayed flight? We can help rearrange your travel plans or find you new accommodation, ensuring you stay calm no matter where your European adventure takes you.
Factors Influencing Europe Travel Insurance Costs
There are many factors that impact the cost of a travel policy for Europe, including:
- Timing of Purchase: Purchasing further in advance of your Europe trip start date could mean you will pay a higher premium. Having said this, it is recommended that you purchase travel insurance as soon as you book anything associated with your European trip.
- Traveller Age: Older individuals are more expensive to insure because they are statistically at greater risk of needing to use their insurance.
- Duration of the Trip: You will pay more if you are travelling Europe for a longer period versus a shorter trip.
- Destinations within Europe: While Europe is a generally safe continent overall, European countries can vary in terms of safety. If you’re planning to visit a higher-risk destination country, you may incur a higher premium. (Note that you may need to declare all planned destinations when purchasing travel insurance for Europe. Some providers may offer the ability to select ‘Europe’ as a regional destination. You’ll only be covered in countries listed on your Certificate of Insurance.)
- Your Excess: Excess is the amount that you contribute in the event of a claim. Excess generally applies per person, per claim. Some plans, like our international single trip plan, let you personalise your policy by choosing your excess amount. Note that your premium will be lower if you choose a higher excess (and vice versa).
- Travel Itinerary and Cover Packages: While more cover packages will increase your price, we recommend adding them when possible based on your travel itinerary and planned activities. For example, if you’re planning a ski trip to Chamonix, France, you can choose to include the snow package in your international single trip plan to ensure you have ski cover that will protect you against any unexpected overseas medical expenses.
- Variable Limits: Some policies allow you to select your insured sum for certain benefits, like a trip cancellation and interruption benefit. While higher insured sums provide more significant financial protection, they will also incur a higher premium.
Of course, a basic plan with limited cover will be less expensive, while an international comprehensive plan that includes both trip cancellation cover and medical cover will be more costly.
Breakdown of Costs for Travel Insurance to Europe
Travel insurance costs can vary widely depending on the factors listed above, but a one-week plan for Australians travelling to Europe will likely be somewhere in the range of $50 to $100, including cover for travel medical expenses, trip cancellation, travel delay, baggage and personal effects, and personal liability. Plan prices will increase as you add additional cover options (more on those below).
In this section, we’ll break down the potential cost of travel insurance cover using our insurance quote calculator. This will give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend on international comprehensive travel insurance for Europe based on various factors like age, trip duration, and add-ons.
Travel Insurance for Europe Cost Example
Let’s say you’re a 40-year-old traveling to Spain, France, and Germany for 3 weeks in December. You get a quote for our international single trip plan. Your premium, with a selected excess amount of $100, comes to a total of $151.19 for the entire trip.
This comprehensive cover includes the following benefits:
- Travel medical package: $97.22
- Trip cancellation and interruption package ($3,000 sum insured): $15.87
- Travel delay package: $2.68
- Personal accident package: $0.29
- Personal liability package: $5.00
- Baggage package ($1,000 sum insured): $30.13
You have the option to personalise your cover and increase or decrease your premium by changing your excess amount, adjusting your sum insured for your trip cancellation and interruption package and baggage package, and selecting or deselecting benefits.
Eligible travel medical expenses are automatically covered under all our plans, while all other benefits may be added or removed. Our travel medical package includes unlimited cover (up to 12 months) for the treatment of unexpected, overseas medical emergencies, including necessary medical evacuation for a serious injury or illness.
Cost of Add-On Packages
The international single trip plan offers several packages for specific travel plans and situations. For example, the 40-year-old in the example above could choose to add our motorcycle/moped pack to their plan for just $26.
If they were planning to take a European cruise through the Mediterranean, they could add our cruise pack for an additional $140.42. This would ensure cover for injuries, illnesses, and travel complications that could occur on a multi-night cruise.
We also offer packages for rental car damage, snow sport activities, and pet boarding, though available benefit add-ons vary from policy to policy.
Premiums and savings are subject to changes in rating, underwriting and your individual circumstances. Cover and benefits may differ between insurance providers and therefore may not be completely comparable.
Common Travel Insurance Claims from Australia to Europe
Unexpected bumps in the road can turn a dream European holiday into a stressful situation. Here are some of the most common claims Aussie travellers lodge while exploring Europe:
- Medical Emergencies and Hospital Expenses: Medical emergencies and hospitalisations are common concerns for Aussies travelling in Europe due to the region’s varying healthcare standards, unfamiliar environments, and the risks of accidents or sudden illnesses. Travel insurance is essential, as it can cover costly medical treatments, hospital expenses, and even repatriation back to Australia.
- Flight Delays and Cancellations: Flight delays and cancellations are frequent headaches for Australians travelling in Europe, often due to weather disruptions, natural disasters, air traffic control strikes, or airline issues–all of which can throw travel plans into disarray. Insurance can help by covering necessary additional accommodations, meals, and transportation costs, as well as providing compensation for flight disruptions.
- Stolen or Lost Luggage: This is a common issue for Australians travelling in Europe, especially with the bustling airports and busy transport hubs where bags can easily get misplaced or targeted by thieves. Your travel cover can provide reimbursement for essential items and help replace lost possessions, ensuring you’re not left scrambling in unfamiliar surroundings while you await the return of your luggage or personal belongings.
- Trip Interruptions and Cancellations: These types of holiday complications are common for Australians travelling abroad in Europe, often due to unforeseen events like family emergencies, illness, or political unrest. Travel insurance can step in by covering unexpected, non-refundable costs, helping you reschedule flights, and even providing compensation for disrupted itineraries so you’re not left with high expenses when life gets in the way.
How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance for Europe
Follow these steps to select the best travel insurance for Europe that meets your needs:
- Identify Your Travel Needs and Risk Level: Read travel advice for all of your Europe destinations to help you determine their risk levels. Pay special attention to health and safety information as well as the overview of local laws. This information can help you determine whether you need specific cover, so that you can plan for this ahead of departing for your trip.
You’ll also want to determine whether you need trip cancellation and interruption cover. If you’ve prepaid for non-refundable flights, accommodations, and activities, trip cancellation cover could be a must. Also consider your current health needs and whether you need to find a travel insurance policy that includes some cover for any pre-existing medical conditions.
- Balance Cost with Coverage: When choosing insurance for a Europe trip, you want to find the sweet spot between cover and cost. Don’t cut corners on essential protection like emergency medical cover, especially when travelling abroad or taking part in risky activities. Look for a plan that covers your specific needs without overpaying for extras you don’t need. Getting a travel insurance quote is quick, easy, and free, so don’t hesitate to shop around and compare policies. Always read the fine print to ensure you’re getting the best value for your trip.
- Choose a Reliable Insurance Provider: Once you’ve narrowed down your options to a few select travel insurance policies, check trustworthy review sites like Trust Pilot to see what real customers have to say about the insurance providers. Make sure any provider you’re considering offers 24/7 support for emergencies and travel complications, because you never know when the unexpected might strike. Also look for a company with a simple claims process that allows you to lodge a claim online and provides frequent claim updates.
- Customise Your Travel Insurance Policy: Some policies, like our international single trip plan, allow you to personalise your plan for Europe by adding or removing packages.
Cover Packages to Consider
Cover packages vary depending on your chosen plan. To give you an idea of what’s available, we’ll provide an overview of the cover packs available on our single trip plan. (You can see these on the second page of our quote engine–once you insert your travel dates, destinations, and birth date.)
- Rental Vehicle Damage Package: Cover of up to $8,000 for excess you are liable for in the event of theft or damage to your rental car or other vehicle.
- Snow Package: Cover for injuries and other events that could occur whilst participating in snow sport activities, such as amateur skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tobogganing, and tubing.
- Motorcycle/Moped Pack: Cover for emergency medical expenses you could incur from an injury whilst riding a motorcycle or moped during your European holiday.
- Cruise Pack: Cover for events that could occur whilst you are on a multi-night European cruise.
- Pet Boarding: Cover of up to $200 per day (up to a maximum of $1400) if your return from Europe is delayed and you need to extend your pet boarding arrangements.
Special Considerations for Australian Travellers to Europe
International Travel Advisories and Government Warnings
It’s always a good idea to review the full details of your product disclosure statement to understand when you are not covered. For example, you will not be covered if you travel against advice from the Australian government.
However, different policies have different interpretations of what this means. For example, our international single trip plan will not cover you for losses that result from you travelling to (or choosing to remain in) a country or region for which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued “do not travel” advice. Always check travel alerts on smartraveller.gov.au before and during international travel and review all travel insurance policy exclusions.
Understanding the Schengen Insurance Requirement
A Schengen visa is a special visa that lets travellers to Europe hop between 29 different European countries with just one visa. Australians can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period if they are travelling for one of the following reasons:
- business purposes
- visiting friends and family
- tourism and holidays
- cultural and sports events
- transit
- official visit
- medical reasons
- short-term study
- research
You will need to apply for a Schengen visa if:
- you’re planning to stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days, or
- your reason for travel changes, and you no longer qualify for visa-free travel.
If you are required to have a Schengen visa for your European trip, it’s important to know that you will need to show proof of travel insurance.
Currency Exchange and Financial Planning for Emergencies
When you’re travelling to Europe, managing your money wisely can save you a lot of stress. Here are a few tips to help you navigate currency exchange and plan for emergencies:
- Know Where to Exchange Currency: Avoid changing money at airports or tourist hotspots—they usually offer poor rates. Instead, look for local exchange offices or ATMs in the city, and always withdraw from an ATM that doesn’t charge excessive fees.
- Have a Backup Plan: It’s always good to have a backup credit card or emergency cash tucked away in case of theft or loss.
- Notify Your Bank: Let your bank know you’ll be travelling so they don’t block your card due to suspicious international activity. Also, check with them about any foreign transaction fees—some cards charge extra, so it’s good to know in advance.
Europe Travel Insurance FAQs
How much is travel insurance to Europe on average?
Costs can vary widely depending on factors such as the traveller’s age, trip duration, and more. However, a week of international comprehensive cover for an Australian in Europe will likely be somewhere in the range of $50 to $100.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Australians travelling to Europe?
No, it is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended by the Australian government. “We can’t pay your bills for you,” shares Smartraveller.gov.au. “Consular services are not a ‘backup plan’ if things go wrong and you need money. We expect all Australians travelling overseas to take out appropriate insurance for their trip.”
How much cover is needed for a trip to Europe?
For a trip to Europe, you’ll want travel insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, including evacuation, since healthcare costs can vary. It’s also a good idea to include trip cancellation, lost baggage, and travel delay coverage, just in case unexpected events occur while you’re abroad.
Insure your entire trip cost so you have cover for all prepaid, non-refundable expenses. Be sure to add optional covers for specific needs, like a snow pack if winter sports are on your itinerary.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Travel Insurance for Your European Getaway
Essentially, finding the right cover for your European adventure comes down to understanding your needs and striking the right balance between benefits and cost. Not all policies are created equal, so be sure to look for Europe travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage. Always double-check the fine print for any exclusions.
Ultimately, travel insurance is about peace of mind, so while you don’t need to go overboard with extra cover, investing in a solid policy is worth it for the stress-free travel experience you deserve.
Ready to review your options? Check rates for our international single trip plan and personalise your Europe travel cover today.
Please note that this blog provides a summary of the available cover. Not all benefits apply and will depend on whether you have selected them (and are reflected on your Certificate of Insurance). Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for further details.
