Assurance Voyage
Why get insured?
Nobody sets off hoping for an accident. But the unexpected doesn't only happen to others. Here are real situations where insurance makes all the difference.
Hospitalisation abroad
An appendectomy in the US can cost over 30,000 EUR. Without insurance, it's on you. In Thailand, even a simple consultation at a private hospital easily exceeds 300 EUR.
Cancelled or delayed flight
Your flight is cancelled due to a strike or storm. Insurance covers additional accommodation costs, meals, and rebooking if the airline won't.
Lost or stolen luggage
Your suitcase never arrives at the destination. Insurance reimburses your personal belongings and funds essential purchases while you wait.
Last-minute cancellation
Illness, accident, death of a loved one, redundancy: all valid reasons to cancel an already-paid trip. Cancellation insurance reimburses non-recoverable costs.
Scooter accident in Bali
A classic of Southeast Asia travel. Medical costs, repatriation, and civil liability are covered — without insurance, the bill can reach several thousand euros.
What does travel insurance cover?
Medical repatriation
Covers medical transport to your home country in case of serious illness or accident. A medically equipped flight from Asia costs between 50,000 and 150,000 EUR.
Medical and hospitalisation expenses
Reimbursement for consultations, hospitalisations, medications, and emergency care abroad. Aim for a minimum cap of 150,000 EUR (300,000 EUR for the US, Canada, Japan).
Civil liability abroad
Covers material or bodily damage you might cause to a third party (bike accident, damage in a rental, injuring a passer-by).
Trip cancellation / interruption
Reimbursement of expenses incurred if you need to cancel or cut short your trip for a covered reason (illness, accident, serious family event, natural disaster).
Luggage and personal belongings
Compensation in case of loss, theft, or damage to your luggage. Check the per-item cap — often limited to 300-500 EUR per article.
Legal assistance abroad
Covers legal fees and assistance in case of disputes or legal problems in a foreign country.
How to choose your insurance
Before comparing prices, check these criteria. The cheapest isn't always the best covered.
- 1Medical expenses cap suited to destination (300,000 EUR min for US/Canada/Japan)
- 2Medical repatriation included with no cap
- 3Excess: what amount remains at your expense per claim?
- 4Waiting period: does coverage begin immediately?
- 5Sports and activities covered (diving, high-altitude trekking, off-piste skiing...)
- 6Coverage for valuable personal belongings (electronics, jewellery)
- 724/7 assistance with emergency number
- 8Coverage in case of pandemic or epidemic
- 9Maximum covered trip duration
- 10Exclusions: read the fine print (alcohol, driving without local licence, war zones)
- 11Ability to extend the contract during the trip
- 12Reimbursement timeline and process
Bank card vs dedicated insurance
Your Visa or Mastercard often includes travel guarantees. But are they enough?
| Criteria | Bank card | Dedicated insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage duration | 90 days max (often 30 days) | Unlimited or customisable |
| Medical expenses cap | 11,000 to 155,000 EUR depending on card | 150,000 to 1,000,000+ EUR |
| Repatriation | Often included (check the cap) | Included, generally with no cap |
| Excess | 50 to 300 EUR per claim | 0 to 150 EUR depending on contract |
| Extreme sports | Rarely covered | Covered as option or included |
| Trip cancellation | Often limited to 5,000 EUR | Up to 10,000+ EUR depending on plan |
| Luggage | 850 to 1,500 EUR max | 2,000 to 3,000+ EUR |
| Activation conditions | Pay for transport with the card | Subscribe before departure |
| Long trip (>90 days) | Not covered | Dedicated plans (WHV, round-the-world) |
Insurance and extreme sports
The definition of 'extreme sport' varies between insurers. Always check exclusions before you go.
Scuba diving+
Generally covered up to 20-30m with certification. Beyond that, an extension or specific insurance (DAN, for example) is needed. Cave diving or technical diving is almost always excluded.
High-altitude trekking+
Most standard insurance excludes treks above 4,000 or 5,000m. For Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, or the Annapurnas, check the covered altitude cap and that helicopter evacuation is included.
Skiing and snowboarding+
On-piste skiing is generally covered. Off-piste, freestyle, and ski touring often require an extension. Rescue on the slopes is rarely covered by travel insurance: subscribe to resort insurance.
Surfing and water sports+
Recreational surfing is covered by most contracts. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, and jet skiing may be excluded or require a specific mention.
Climbing and via ferrata+
Indoor climbing or equipped routes generally pass. Mountaineering, ice climbing, and big wall climbing are considered extreme sports and require a dedicated option.
Motorcycle and quad+
Motorised two-wheeler riding is a frequent exclusion. Check that your contract covers motorcycle/scooter accidents and insist on a valid local licence — otherwise the claim will be denied.
Insurance and long trips
WHV (Working Holiday Visa)
WHVs last 1 to 2 years. Standard insurance doesn't cover beyond 90 days. Specialised insurers (Chapka Cap Working Holiday, GobyAVA, ACS) offer contracts adapted with medical coverage, repatriation, and civil liability for the entire WHV duration. It's often a condition of obtaining the visa.
Round-the-world trip
A round-the-world trip involves varied destinations with different risk levels. Opt for multi-zone insurance with no geographical cap, with the option to extend online. Average budget: 30 to 60 EUR/month depending on coverage.
Digital nomad / remote work
Some travel insurance policies don't cover stays where you're engaged in professional activity. Check that your contract accepts remote worker status. Options like SafetyWing or Genki are designed for digital nomads.
Short-term expatriation (3-12 months)
Between travel and expatriation, a 3 to 12-month stay often falls into a grey area. Long-term travel insurance with a good medical cap is often more advantageous than traditional expatriate options.
What to do if something goes wrong
A claim abroad is stressful. Follow these steps to maximise your chances of reimbursement.
Call your 24/7 assistance line
The number is on your contract or insurance card. Call before incurring expenses if possible. The assistance team coordinates care, repatriation, and directs you to an approved facility.
Keep all supporting documents
Medical invoices, prescriptions, essential purchase receipts, police report (in case of theft), boarding passes, delay proof. Photograph everything immediately.
Report the claim within deadlines
Most contracts require a declaration within 5 business days (2 days for theft). Do it online or by registered mail. A delay can result in a refusal of coverage.
File a police report if necessary
In case of theft, assault, or accident: file a complaint with local authorities. The receipt is essential for your reimbursement file.
Complete the reimbursement file
Gather all requested documents: declaration form, supporting documents, bank details, copy of the contract. Submit the complete file to speed up processing (allow 2 to 8 weeks).
Countries where insurance is mandatory
In these destinations, proof of insurance is required for entry or visa approval.
Cuba
Proof of insurance required on arrival. Minimum medical coverage required.
Russia
Medical insurance mandatory for visa application.
Algeria
Insurance required for visa applications.
China
Required for visas over 90 days and student visas.
United Arab Emirates
Health insurance mandatory for any stay in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia
Medical insurance required for tourist visa (eVisa).
Iran
Proof of insurance requested for visa. Few insurers cover Iran.
Turkey (long visa)
Insurance required for residence permits over 90 days.
Ecuador
Health insurance mandatory since 2018 for all visitors.
Cambodia (E visa)
Insurance required for business visas and long stays.
Thailand (OA visa)
Retirees must provide proof of health insurance for the OA visa.
Costa Rica
Travel insurance covering Covid and medical expenses required on entry.
Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao
Travel insurance mandatory for all visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance mandatory?+
It's not mandatory for most destinations, but some countries require it (Cuba, Russia, Algeria, China, some Gulf states). It's also required to obtain a WHV or student visa in several countries.
Is my bank card enough?+
For a short trip in Europe or Japan, a premium bank card may suffice. For the US, trips over 90 days, or risky sports, dedicated insurance is strongly recommended.
How much does travel insurance cost?+
Between 3 and 8 EUR per day for a standard trip. A round-the-world or WHV contract costs 30-60 EUR/month. Cancellation insurance is calculated as a percentage of the trip price (3 to 5%).
Can I subscribe after departure?+
Some insurers allow it (SafetyWing, Chapka Cap Aventure). But most standard contracts require subscription before departure, and cancellation guarantees only apply before the trip.
What if I have a dental problem?+
Emergency dental care (toothache, broken tooth) is generally covered with a cap of 200 to 600 EUR. Cosmetic or comfort care is excluded.
Is Covid covered?+
Since 2022, most insurers cover Covid-related medical expenses like any other illness. However, check the clauses on imposed quarantine and health-related cancellation.
Does insurance cover car rental?+
Auto civil liability is rarely included in travel insurance. For car rental, subscribe to the rental company's insurance or a dedicated policy (such as iCarhireinsurance).
What if my insurance refuses to reimburse me?+
Contest in writing, citing articles from your contract. If the dispute persists, contact the insurance ombudsman (free) or, as a last resort, the competent court.
Do I have to pay upfront?+
For small amounts (consultation, medication), yes, you pay and request reimbursement afterwards. For hospitalisation or repatriation, the assistance team covers costs directly if you call them first.
Doesn't my home insurance cover my luggage?+
Some home insurance policies cover personal belongings abroad (holiday clause), but with very low caps and high excess. Travel insurance offers more comprehensive and easier-to-activate coverage.
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