Travel Management
Published
9/15/23

Travel insurance: the guide to worry-free travel

Tom Bengaouer
Responsable Communication & Marketing

Travel insurance is an essential element for anyone exploring our planet. Whether you're an intrepid adventurer or a business traveler, the unexpected can happen at any time. And because problems don't just happen to other people, it's a good idea to take out travel insurance to protect you in the event of a mishap. If you want to leave with peace of mind, follow our guide and find out what travel insurance can cover!

How important is travel insurance?

With travel insurance, you can travel with complete peace of mind. If anything goes wrong, travel insurance offers you financial protection on a number of levels: trip cancellation or delay, lost or damaged luggage, emergency medical care, repatriation... In fact, it's better to be prepared for the unexpected and have travel insurance on hand for every trip you take, or risk seeing your adventure turn into a nightmare!

Which travel insurance should I choose?

The choice of travel insurance depends on a number of factors, including your destination, the duration of your trip, your specific needs and your budget. You can choose health insurance, trip cancellation insurance, luggage insurance, repatriation insurance, or opt for comprehensive travel insurance that will take care of all these aspects!

Many insurance companies offer coverage for your trip: 

  • Mutuaide
  • Chapka
  • Mondial assistance
  • Macif

To find out more about what these travel insurances offer, read our Travel Insurance Comparison.

Health insurance for your travels

Wherever you decide to go in the world, and whatever the reason for your stay, it's important to take out travel health insurance. We wouldn't wish it on you, but you're not immune to getting sick on the spot or having an accident 😷. 

Costs vary enormously from one country to another, so don't underestimate the sums you may have to pay, or you could find yourself in debt for several years!

The United States is often taken as an example, as medical and hospital costs are particularly high. A single day in hospital could cost you more than €7,000! Some standard medicines will also cost you more than €100.

At this price, it's best to choose good travel health insurance that will cover you in the event of illness or accident. We advise you to take your time and explore the different options available to make the choice that best suits your needs.

Finally, if you're traveling in Europe, don't forget to log on to your Ameli account and order your free European Health Insurance Card. This will make it easier for you to receive medical care during temporary stays in the European Union.

Air ticket insurance

✈️ You've probably heard the story of someone who missed their flight because of a traffic jam, a bed-ridden illness or who couldn't find their luggage on arrival... Maybe that person was even you!

Air ticket insurance is an option that covers you in many situations, making it easier to obtain reimbursement for your flight in the event of unforeseen circumstances: illness, cancellation of leave, visa refusal and any other reason that might prevent you from taking your plane. This insurance can also include baggage coverage to reimburse you for loss or damage to property.

How to choose the right air ticket insurance?

To choose the right air ticket insurance, first analyze your situation and identify your needs. Are you about to take on a new job, which could jeopardize your stay? Do you have health problems that could require hospitalization in the near future? 

If so, it's best to take out air ticket insurance! And in any case, we're never safe from a glitch, so even if your situation seems to be stable in every respect, we recommend that you take out insurance before you leave on your trip.

When you book your flight, you can take out insurance directly with the airline you choose to travel with. This is the simplest solution. Alternatively, you can go through an external insurance company, such as Chapka direct, Europ assistance, Voyage Assur, Axa or ACS Assurance.

💡Good to know: before taking out any insurance, be sure to check the cover you already have with your bank, as some bank cards include air ticket insurance!

Air ticket insurance should not be confused with travel insurance or flight cancellation insurance. Plane ticket insurance only covers your plane tickets, while the other types can also reimburse you for ancillary bookings, such as accommodation.

Flight cancellation insurance

Flight cancellation insurance is essential if you can't make your trip. It enables you to obtain a refund from your insurance company. It is designed to protect you against the additional costs you may incur if your trip is cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control.

This insurance offers broader coverage than air ticket insurance for expenses related to your entire trip in the event of flight cancellation: your vacation accommodation, pre-booked transportation to get there, or car rental. Read the coverage details carefully, as they may vary from one policy to another.

Ryanair travel insurance

Ryanair insurance covers the following costs: 

  • Flight cancellation or modification
  • Lost luggage
  • The need to consult a doctor on site, to undergo a medical examination or to be hospitalized
  • On-site support to help you with the necessary procedures (sending medicines, repatriation)

There are 3 different formulas, all of which also offer third-party liability abroad in the event of damage caused to a third party.

Find out more about Ryanair travel insurance here.

Easyjet travel insurance

The Easyjet airline also offers you the chance to travel with peace of mind, avoiding additional costs in the event of unforeseen circumstances. It offers 3 packages to choose from according to your needs: cancellation, cancellation and repatriation, and multi-risk travel.

They cover various aspects of travel, from flight cancellations to lost baggage and medical emergencies abroad. Easyjet also has a 24-hour assistance service to help travellers resolve problems as quickly as possible.

Find out more about Easyjet travel insurance here.

Airline baggage insurance

🧳 Arriving at your destination, you need to collect your luggage... You're relieved to have finally landed and wait patiently to see your suitcase on the conveyor belt, but time passes and it still doesn't appear. The others have all retrieved your luggage, except you. You realize that it has simply disappeared...

Losing or having your luggage stolen at the airport can quickly turn an exciting adventure into a real nightmare! Whether you're going on vacation or traveling for a business seminar, it's a good idea to take out luggage insurance.

This insurance provides essential protection for your personal belongings. It can be taken out directly with the airline when you book your ticket, or via specialized insurance companies.

It covers not only checked baggage, but also personal effects carried in the cabin. Some insurers even offer baggage delay cover, which compensates travellers for expenses incurred due to baggage delays.

Train ticket insurance

🚅 Train ticket insurance is an option you can select when purchasing your ticket. It allows you to be protected in the event of unexpected events that can disrupt the smooth running of your travel plans. Train ticket insurance can include : 

  • trip cancellation due to illness, family emergency or other unforeseen circumstances and allow reimbursement of all or part of the cost of your ticket;
  • train delays or cancellations, for which you may be compensated for any inconvenience caused;
  • changes of plans: if you need to change the date of your stay and book another train ticket, even at the last minute, insurance can help you cover the extra costs;
  • emergency medical expenses if you fall ill or are injured during your train journey.

SNCF cancellation insurance

Do you need to travel by train for a business event or simply for a vacation? Then you'll be making your journey with the French company SNCF. A cancellation or simply an unforeseen event on your part could prevent you from taking the train when the time comes. If this is the case, SNCF insurance allows you to be reimbursed for the cost of your ticket.

To benefit from this protection, you must subscribe to the Allianz Travel insurance offered when you book your train ticket. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, you will need to contact Allianz Travel to initiate the necessary procedures and provide the necessary supporting documents.

The refund guarantee depends on the type of train ticket you have booked. To find out more about the different conditions, read our article: When should you take out SNCF cancellation insurance?

Ouigo cancellation insurance

Ouigo is the SNCF's low-cost company, enabling you to travel at lower cost. Ouigo trains operate on France's existing high-speed lines. The company offers train tickets at attractive rates for travelers wishing to move quickly between major French cities, such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and other popular destinations. 

If you need to get to one of these cities, it may be worthwhile for you to choose Ouigo, a solution that's as comfortable as it is affordable. However, if you've already taken a Ouigo train, you may have noticed that the company doesn't offer trip cancellation or refunds. This is partly due to the low cost of the tickets offered. 

So how do I get cancellation insurance with Ouigo?

Two solutions are available.

  1. The first is to use the Ouigoswap service, which allows you to resell your ticket. This is not insurance, but it does allow you to get a voucher worth 80% of the price of your ticket, to be used within the next 12 months. Please note, however, that the train must be fully booked before you can sell your Ouigo ticket.
  2. You can also book your trip with the SNCF and take out Ouigo cancellation insurance, managed by Allianz Travel.

Repatriation insurance

Repatriation insurance is often neglected by travellers, especially when they consider themselves to be in good shape, or are confident of being able to seek medical attention on the spot, whatever happens. However, it is essential to remember that not all countries offer the same quality of service and medical and sanitary framework as France. 

Depending on the country you're traveling to, you may not be treated properly or under hygienic conditions. And let's not forget the sometimes exorbitant cost of local medical expenses, making repatriation preferable as soon as possible.

To protect yourself in the event of illness or accident, and to ensure immediate repatriation to France, you need to take out repatriation insurance. This will help you avoid considerable financial outlay. 

The situation must be serious enough to require repatriation: a cold or a sprain won't be enough to justify the need! However, it is important to know that transport cannot be carried out if your situation is not at least stabilized or if you cannot be transported.

Some repatriation insurances also cover evacuation in the event of natural disasters, civil unrest or dangerous situations in the host country.

Please note that coverage details and costs may vary depending on the insurer and plan chosen. Before taking out repatriation insurance, we advise you to read the terms and conditions carefully, compare offers from different insurers and choose the cover that best suits your needs and travel situation.

For example, Allianz Travel offers repatriation insurance, which covers all your expenses to ensure your safe return home. You can take out this insurance right up to the day before your departure!

How do I obtain travel insurance?

Before you start your search, check with your banker to find out whether your bank card comes with insurance. This is particularly true of Visa Premier and Gold Mastercard.

Then, if your card doesn't offer travel insurance, you'll need to do some research to choose the best travel insurance for your situation. 

Start by assessing your specific needs and comparing the different travel insurance packages available. Read the terms and conditions carefully and make sure you understand what is included and what is excluded.

Don't hesitate to ask the insurer questions for clarification and to request a quote. Generally speaking, insurance websites will ask you to fill in a quick questionnaire about your needs, and then recommend a plan that's right for you!

Finally, as explained in this article, you can also take out travel insurance directly when you book your plane or train ticket, depending on the company. Make sure you find out what they offer before you agree, so you can be sure they cover everything you need.

Our final tip: even though you'll receive everything by e-mail, so it's easy to find your insurance policy in the event of a problem abroad, we advise you to keep copies of the documents with you, and print them out so that you can access them at any time!

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