Traveling is an exciting adventure, but it’s not without its risks. From unexpected medical emergencies to trip cancellations and lost luggage, various unforeseen events can disrupt your journey. This is where travel insurance comes in, and Europ Assistance is a well – known provider in this space. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Europ Assistance travel insurance quotes, including the types of coverage available, how to get a quote, and factors that affect the cost.
About Europ Assistance
Europ Assistance has been a market leader in the travel insurance and assistance industry since 1963. With a presence in 200 countries and serving 95 million customers worldwide, they have the experience and resources to handle various travel – related situations. Their reputation is built on providing reliable assistance and efficient claims handling, making them a popular choice for travelers.
Types of Travel Insurance Plans Offered by Europ Assistance
Schengen Insurance
Europ Assistance Schengen Plan
Medical Coverage: This plan offers up to €30,000 for assistance in the event of illness or injury. There is no deductible, which means that if you need medical treatment during your trip in the Schengen area, you can be reimbursed up to this limit without having to pay an initial amount out – of – pocket.
Coverage Area: It covers trips within the Schengen area, which consists of 26 European countries (and 3 microstates) where travelers can move freely without passport checks between member states. This is an essential requirement for those applying for a Schengen visa, as one of the main visa application criteria is having valid travel insurance for the entire Schengen zone.
Cost: The cost starts from €3 per day. This relatively affordable option is suitable for travelers on a budget who still want to meet the Schengen visa requirements.
Europ Assistance Schengen Plus Plan
Enhanced Medical Coverage: Offers up to €60,000 for assistance in the event of illness or injury. This higher coverage limit can provide more financial security, especially for those with pre – existing medical conditions or those planning longer trips.
Extended Coverage Area: In addition to the Schengen area, it also covers Cyprus and Ireland. This broader coverage area can be beneficial for travelers who plan to visit these non – Schengen European countries during their trip to Europe.
Additional Benefits: It includes coverage for the return/relocation and lodging expenses of a companion. For example, if you need to be hospitalized and require a companion to be with you, Europ Assistance will cover the costs associated with bringing that person to your location and their accommodation expenses up to a certain limit. The cost for this plan starts from €5 per day.
Annual Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance Smart
Coverage Duration: The policy is valid for 1 year, with a maximum of 3 months per trip. This is ideal for frequent travelers who make multiple trips throughout the year.
Medical Repatriation and Early Return: It provides coverage for medical repatriation, which means that if you become seriously ill or injured during your trip and need to be transferred to a better – equipped or more specialized hospital near your usual place of residence, Europ Assistance will arrange and cover the costs. In case of hospitalization or death of a loved one in your home country, it also covers the costs of an early return.
Medical Expenses Coverage: Reimburses medical expenses up to €1,250,000 worldwide. This high coverage limit ensures that you are well – protected in case of a major medical emergency abroad.
Optional Covers:
Vehicle Assistance: For an additional cost of €68, it offers breakdown and towing service in case of breakdown or accident in Europe, even in case of a flat tire, battery failure, or fuel error. It also includes bike assistance in Belgium.
Nogo Cancellation Insurance: For €154, your travel budget is covered for cancellation or change for up to €2,500 per person per trip, with a maximum of €20,000 per year. This can be extremely useful if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or change your travel plans.
Luggage Insurance: For €112, it provides protection against theft, loss, or damage to your luggage.
Price: The base price starts from €135.
Travel Insurance Light
Coverage Duration: Also valid for 1 year, but with a maximum of 14 days per trip. This is a more basic option for those who take shorter, less frequent trips.
Medical Expenses Coverage: Offers coverage of €250,000 for medical expenses. While the coverage limit is lower compared to the Smart plan, it can still be sufficient for minor medical issues during short trips.
Optional Covers: Some of the optional covers available in the Smart plan may also be available in a scaled – down version for the Light plan, but the coverage limits and costs may vary.
Price: The base price starts from €110.
Other Travel Insurance Products
Coverage for Specific Activities
Europ Assistance may offer additional coverage for activities such as skiing. Their ski assistance is included in some of their annual travel insurance plans. This can cover situations like emergency medical treatment on the ski slopes, search and rescue costs if you get lost or injured in a remote skiing area, and even the cost of equipment and sports lessons in case they need to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Personal Accident Coverage
This coverage provides financial protection in the event of an accident during your travel. It can cover everything from minor injuries to more severe incidents. In case of accidental death or permanent disability, it pays out a capital amount to the insured or their beneficiaries.
Legal Protection
While traveling, you may encounter unexpected legal challenges. Europ Assistance’s legal protection services can help you face these challenges. They have a dedicated legal team that can provide advice and representation if you get involved in a legal issue abroad, such as a traffic violation or a dispute with a service provider.
Personal Liability Coverage
This protects you in case you cause damage to someone else’s property or injury to another person during your travels. For example, if you accidentally damage a rental property or injure a local while participating in an activity, the personal liability coverage will help cover the costs associated with the claim against you.
What Does Europ Assistance Travel Insurance Cover?
Medical Expenses
Hospitalization: Covers the costs of hospitalization, including hospital room charges, doctor’s fees, and necessary medical treatments. This is crucial as healthcare costs can be extremely high in many countries, especially for tourists and non – residents.
Dental Expenses: For dental emergencies, the insurance typically covers up to a certain amount. For example, in the Schengen and Schengen Plus plans, it covers dental emergencies up to €100.
Medical Repatriation: As mentioned earlier, if you need to be transferred to a hospital closer to your home for better treatment, Europ Assistance will arrange and pay for the transportation, which may include air ambulance services if necessary.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Trip Cancellation: If you have to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, death in the family, or a natural disaster, the insurance will reimburse you for prepaid and non – refundable expenses like airfare, accommodation, and tour bookings. For example, the Nogo cancellation insurance in the annual travel insurance plans can cover up to a certain amount per person per trip and per year.
Trip Interruption: If your trip is interrupted in the middle, perhaps due to a medical emergency or a sudden change in circumstances, the insurance will cover the additional expenses incurred, such as the cost of re – booking flights, extending hotel stays, or arranging alternative transportation.
Luggage and Personal Belongings
Theft and Loss: If your luggage is stolen or lost during your journey, Europ Assistance will reimburse you for the value of the lost items, up to the policy limit. This includes not only your clothes and personal items but also important documents like passports and travel tickets.
Damage: In case your luggage or personal belongings are damaged during transit, the insurance will cover the cost of repair or replacement.
Flight – Related Incidents
Flight Cancellation: If your flight is cancelled by the airline, and you have travel insurance, Europ Assistance may cover additional expenses such as accommodation and meals if you are stranded at the airport. However, it’s important to note that in some cases, the airline itself may be responsible for providing certain assistance under EU regulations, and the travel insurance may cover the remaining costs not covered by the airline.
Flight Delay: If your flight is delayed for a certain number of hours (usually 3 – 5 hours depending on the policy), the insurance will cover the cost of meals, accommodation (if an overnight stay is required), and communication expenses like phone calls or emails to inform others about the delay.
Missed Departure: If you miss your flight due to reasons covered by the insurance, such as a transportation delay on the way to the airport, Europ Assistance will help you arrange alternative transportation and cover the associated costs.
How to Get a Europ Assistance Travel Insurance Quote
Online on the Official Website
The most convenient way to get a quote is by visiting the official Europ Assistance website. For Schengen insurance, you can go to the dedicated Schengen insurance page (e.g., schengen.europ –assistance.com). Here, you will need to enter details such as your nationality, age, and the intended days of travel for each person you are insuring. You can add up to nine people under one plan.
For annual travel insurance, on the relevant product pages (e.g., europ – assistance.be/travel – insurance – world), you will be asked to provide information like the start date of the contract, the number of people to be insured, and the age of the oldest beneficiary. You also have the option to select additional covers if you want.
After entering all the required information, the website will generate an instant quote based on the details provided.
Contacting Europ Assistance Directly
You can also contact Europ Assistance’s customer service department. In Belgium, for example, you can call +32 (0) 2 541 91 91. Their customer service representatives will ask you the necessary questions to calculate a quote for you. They can also provide more detailed information about the policies, answer any specific questions you may have, and guide you through the process of purchasing the insurance.
Using a Travel Agent or Insurance Broker
Some travel agents or insurance brokers work with Europ Assistance and can help you get a quote. They may be able to offer additional advice based on their experience and knowledge of different travel insurance products. They will also handle the paperwork for you if you decide to purchase the insurance through them. However, it’s important to note that they may charge a small fee for their services.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Europ Assistance Travel Insurance Quotes
Destination
Traveling to certain destinations may increase the cost of insurance. For example, if you are traveling to a high – risk area with a higher likelihood of natural disasters, political unrest, or where medical costs are extremely high, the insurance premium will be higher. Schengen Plus plan, which covers additional countries compared to the standard Schengen plan, has a higher starting cost because it offers broader coverage.
Duration of Travel
The longer your trip, the higher the cost of the insurance. For Schengen insurance, the cost is calculated on a per – day basis, so a 10 – day trip will cost less than a 30 – day trip. In the case of annual travel insurance, the number of days you are likely to be away on each trip (up to the maximum allowed per trip) can also affect the cost. If you plan to take longer trips within the annual policy period, the premium may be higher.
Age of the Insured
Older travelers generally pay higher premiums. This is because they may be more prone to certain medical conditions, and the risk of a medical emergency during travel is higher. For example, when getting a quote for annual travel insurance, you will be asked to select the age range of the oldest beneficiary (0 – 54 years, 55 – 69 years, 70+ years), and the premium will be adjusted accordingly.
Type of Coverage and Optional Add – ons
Choosing a more comprehensive coverage plan, such as the Europ Assistance Schengen Plus instead of the standard Schengen plan, will result in a higher cost. Similarly, adding optional covers like vehicle assistance, nogo cancellation insurance, or luggage insurance to your annual travel insurance will increase the overall premium. The more additional benefits you want, the more you will have to pay.
Number of Travelers
Insuring multiple people under one plan can sometimes result in a slightly lower per – person cost. However, the overall premium will still increase with the number of people insured. For example, when getting a quote for Schengen insurance, you can add up to nine people, and the system will calculate the total cost based on the combined information of all the insured individuals.
How to Purchase Europ Assistance Travel Insurance
Payment Options
Once you have received a quote and decided to purchase the insurance, Europ Assistance offers several payment options. You can pay via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit/debit cards. They also accept payments through PayPal. This provides flexibility for customers to choose the payment method that is most convenient for them.
Receiving the Insurance Certificate
Immediately after purchasing the policy, you will receive an email with your insurance certificate and special conditions documents. The insurance certificate contains important information such as your policy number, the details of the coverage, and the contact information for Europ Assistance in case of an emergency. You can also download these documents from your account on the Europ Assistance website. The certificate is available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, or Chinese, which is useful for travelers from different language backgrounds.
Confirmation and Policy Details
Before finalizing the purchase, make sure to review all the policy details carefully. Check the coverage limits, the list of covered and excluded events, the claims process, and any special conditions. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Europ Assistance’s customer service for clarification. Once you are satisfied with the policy details, complete the payment process to finalize the purchase of your travel insurance.
Making a Claim with Europ Assistance
Contacting Europ Assistance
In case of an incident that requires a claim, the first step is to contact Europ Assistance as soon as possible. They have a 24/7 emergency hotline that you can call. Provide them with details of the incident, such as the nature of the medical emergency, the circumstances of the trip cancellation, or the details of the lost luggage.
Documentation Required
You will need to provide certain documentation to support your claim. For medical claims, this may include medical reports from the treating doctor, receipts for medical expenses, and details of the treatment received. In case of trip cancellation, you will need to provide proof of the prepaid and non – refundable expenses, as well as the reason for the cancellation (e.g., a doctor’s note if it’s due to illness). For luggage claims, you may need to provide a police report if the luggage was stolen, and receipts for the lost items.
Claims Process
Europ Assistance will review your claim based on the information and documentation provided. They will assess whether the incident is covered under the policy. If the claim is approved, they will process the reimbursement according to the terms of the policy. The reimbursement process may take some time, depending on the complexity of the claim and the amount involved. They will keep you updated on the progress of your claim through email or phone.
Exclusions in Europ Assistance Travel Insurance
Pre – Existing Conditions
In most cases, pre – existing medical conditions are excluded from coverage, unless you specifically purchase additional coverage for them. For example, if you have a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease, the insurance may not cover any complications related to that condition during your trip, unless you informed Europ Assistance and paid for the relevant add – on.
Certain Activities
High – risk activities such as extreme sports (e.g., skydiving, base jumping, and some types of mountain climbing without proper guides) may be excluded from standard travel insurance policies. However, Europ Assistance may offer additional coverage for some adventure sports if you request it and pay an extra premium.
Epidemics and Infectious Diseases
As of now, epidemics and/or infectious diseases such as COVID – 19 are excluded from their policies. This is because these are considered unforeseen and widespread events that can create a high volume of claims, and insurance companies often have specific exclusion clauses for such situations.
Intentional Acts and Criminal Behavior
If the incident is a result of your intentional act or criminal behavior, such as deliberately causing damage to property or engaging in illegal activities during your travel, the insurance will not cover any associated costs.
Conclusion
Europ Assistance travel insurance offers a wide range of coverage options to suit different types of travelers and their needs. Whether you are traveling to the Schengen area for a short trip, planning a year – long adventure, or taking multiple shorter trips throughout the year, there is a plan for you. By understanding the types of coverage, how to get a quote, what is covered and excluded, and the claims process, you can make an informed decision when purchasing travel insurance. Remember, having the right travel insurance can provide you with peace of mind and financial protection during your travels, allowing you to focus on enjoying your journey without worrying about unexpected events.
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