What is the best travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Schengen travel insurance covers your medical expenses while visiting European countries that are part of the Schengen Zone. Depending on which policy you choose, travel insurance can protect you against losses due to trip interruptions (e.g., delayed flights) or personal liability.

Is Travel insurance necessary for a Schengen Visa?

Yes. You must have travel insurance if you require a visa to visit Europe. It is mandatory. The embassy will reject your visa request if you don’t have valid insurance.
However, you don’t need a visa to travel within the Schengen Area. It is not necessary to have insurance, although it is highly recommended.

Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements

These are the requirements for the travel insurance policy:

• It should be sufficient to cover medical expenses and emergency evacuation costs of at least 30,000Euroes
• It should be valid for all 26 Schengen Zone countries.
• It must be valid for all time that you are in Europe.

Most insurance companies have policies that can be used to fulfill these requirements, as Embassies require them to process visa applications.
AXA, MondialCare, and Europ Assistance provide travel insurance certificates that Embassies require to apply for a Schengen Visa.

Proof of purchased health insurance

The Embassy will request proof of Schengen travel insurance when you apply for a visa. This is often called a “travel insurance certificate” and will be provided by your insurance company when you sign up for one of their plans.
Please contact your insurance company if you have any questions about your Embassy’s insurance certificate. They will most likely issue a certificate that suits your needs.

What should the Schengen Travel Insurance Plan cover?

Check that your insurance includes the following:

• Both in-patient and outpatient medical treatment.
• Visits to the doctor
• Hospitalization.
• Surgery.
• Prescription medication
• Emergency dental care.

Cost of evacuation or repatriation. Travel insurance pays for the cost of repatriation if you are seriously ill or have an accident that requires hospital attention in your home country. It also covers death-related repatriation.
To be valid for visa applications, a basic policy must cover this. Some insurance companies offer more extensive coverage, such as trip or liability insurance.

What other liabilities are covered by my travel insurance policy?

Some insurance companies will cover additional liabilities and risks associated with the trip beyond the basic Schengen travel insurance (for repatriation and medical costs).

Assistance in the case of illness

If you are ill, your insurance company will pay for someone to fly with you (their hotel stay, flight ticket, etc.).

Trip cancellation

You can cancel your trip if you have to due to unforeseeable circumstances. Your insurance policy will reimburse some of the prepaid expenses.

Flight delay

The insurance company will pay for food and lodging while waiting for another flight.

Baggage theft or loss

The insurance company will cover your baggage if lost, damaged, or stolen.

Personal liability abroad

The insurance company will cover some costs if you cause injury to another person or damage property while in Europe.

What is not included in the Schengen Insurance?

You will most likely not be covered by travel insurance in these situations:

• You may need medical attention if you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes, cancer, or other lingering injuries.
• Not an emergency, but medical treatment.
• You may need medical attention if you suffer from intoxication (alcohol, drug, or other consumption).
• You may need medical attention if you have participated in extreme or adventurous sports like motor racing, bungee jumping, etc.
• You may need to seek medical attention after a natural catastrophe.
• If you’ve traveled to an area considered high-risk (violence, unrest, epidemics, etc.).

Which companies offer the best Schengen Visa insurance?

Below is a list highlighting the top travel insurance companies for Schengen Visa.

• MondialCare
• AXA Schengen.
• Europ Assistance
• Dr-WALTER
• Bupa
• Allianz
• Insubuy

How to Purchase Travel Insurance

Many insurance companies offer travel insurance plans online. Visit the company’s website and click on the “Get A Quote” or the “Start Now” button to purchase one.

• Fill out the online application. Please enter your name, country, age, destination, and travel dates.
• Choose the plan that you prefer. You may have more than one plan. To find the best plan for you, you can review the benefits. You can subscribe to two policies if MondialCare is your insurance company.
• Make the payment. You can pay with a credit/debit or PayPal card. The cost of your insurance depends on what information you provide (age, length, and choice of plan).
• Print the Insurance Certificate. This certificate must be presented to the Embassy to apply for a visa. It will be available in PDF format.

Other options

Although purchasing travel insurance online may be the most convenient and accessible option, there are still other options.
You can do this through a local insurance company. Visit an insurance agency in your country to request a Schengen policy and purchase one.
Through your travel agency. The agency might offer you an additional insurance policy if you travel to Europe on an organized tour. These offers may increase the cost of your policy but not provide adequate coverage. You have the right to opt out if you don’t like the approach.

Travel Insurance for Canadians Citizens

You can purchase travel insurance online if you’re from Canada. AXA and MondialCare offer travel insurance. You can subscribe online to their plans and receive the Insurance Certificate electronically. This Certificate can be submitted to the Embassy if you require a visa.

How does travel medical insurance work?

Travel insurance can protect you from financial loss due to medical emergencies while traveling in Europe. The insurance company will pay the cost of your medical care if you have a valid policy. It works in two ways:

• The hospital will send the bill directly to your insurance company. There is no upfront payment.
• You pay the bill. You can then file a claim with your insurance company to be reimbursed. Keep the hospital bill.

You should immediately contact emergency services if you find yourself in an emergency. They can either help you or advise you on how to proceed.

The Cost of a Schengen Visa

The following factors will affect the cost of your travel insurance policy.
Your age. Your age increases the cost of your insurance policy. Senior citizens, especially those over 60, must pay more for the same insurance policy than younger people.

Insurance Limit

You can usually choose between 2-3 insurance plans, regardless of your insurance company. The basic plan covering health insurance up to 30,000 Euros is generally cheaper than the one covering up to 100,000 Euros.
Schengen insurance is usually not too costly in comparison to the total cost of the trip. Depending on your chosen policy, you would typically pay EUR20-EUR50 for a one-week trip.

Is Schengen Insurance mandatory even if I have domestic Insurance?

Yes. You can if you have domestic insurance, such as a US citizen traveling within the US. If you plan to travel to Europe and have domestic insurance, you must purchase a Schengen visa plan. Domestic insurance plans are only valid in the country where they were purchased. They do not cover international travel.

Is it possible to get a refund?

Most insurance companies will offer a refund of your policy if you don’t receive a Schengen visa. But not all. You can usually find out if you are eligible for a refund by visiting the FAQ section of a company’s website or by calling them directly.

Travel Insurance for Countries that are not part of the Schengen Zone

Schengen insurance usually targets countries in the Schengen Zone. Traveling outside the Schengen Zone may be eligible for an international travel insurance policy or another insurance plan.

What happens if I get Covid?

Travel insurance companies will not cover medical expenses if you are ill with Covid-19 and travel to another country.
This means that you may not be covered for coronavirus if you travel to a location with high Covid-19 infection or travel bans.