Travel Insurance for Europe: What You Actually Need
Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you never use — and absolutely need when you do. A single ER visit can wipe out your savings. A canceled flight scenario can cost €2,000+ to fix.
Quick Picks
- Best overall for European trips: EKTA Travel Insurance
- Best for US visitors / family policies: VisitorsCoverage
- If flight is delayed/cancelled (compensation): AirHelp or Compensair
- Luggage protection: Radical Storage for left-luggage + insurance via providers above
Quick budget: €20–60 for a 1–2 week trip. Cheapest peace of mind in travel.
Do You Actually Need It?
Yes, if: not EU resident with EHIC, booking non-refundable trips, valuable luggage, more than a week, pre-existing conditions, adventure activities.
Always, if: adventure (skiing, diving, climbing), traveling outside EU/EEA, with kids, with chronic conditions.
What It Should Cover
1. Medical & Emergency Evacuation
Minimum: $100,000–250,000 medical, $250,000 evacuation. Europe healthcare is world-class but NOT free for non-residents. 3-day Spanish hospital stay can cost €5,000+. Air ambulance back to US? €30,000+.
US travelers: Medicare doesn’t work abroad. Most US plans don’t cover international care fully.
2. Trip Cancellation/Interruption
100% of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. Covers if you cancel due to illness, family emergency, work change.
3. Trip Delay
$200/day, up to $1,000. Hotels + meals if delayed 6+ hours. Surprisingly common in Europe summers (strikes, weather).
4. Lost/Delayed Baggage
$1,000 lost, $200/day delayed.
5. Flight Compensation Tools (separate from insurance)
EU Regulation 261/2004 entitles passengers to up to €600 compensation for cancelled or significantly delayed flights from European airports. Use a service to claim:
- AirHelp — biggest claim service, app-driven, takes 25–35% of payout
- Compensair — alternative claim service, often higher success rate
These work even years after your flight. If you’ve had a delayed/cancelled flight in the last 3 years from a European airport — check both.
Travel Insurance Providers Compared
EKTA Travel Insurance — Best for European Travelers
European insurer with comprehensive coverage at competitive prices. Strong claims handling, modern app, fast processing for European medical claims.
Best for: travelers based in or visiting Europe, those wanting solid EU coverage at fair price.
VisitorsCoverage — Best for US Visitors
US-based insurer specializing in international travel insurance. Strong for:
- US citizens going to Europe (Schengen visa compliance)
- International students
- Family group policies
- Senior travelers
- Schengen visa applicants (provides the required certificate)
→ Compare VisitorsCoverage plans
Side-by-Side: Which to Pick
| EU resident visiting another EU country | EKTA (basic policy on top of EHIC) |
| US/Canadian visitor to Europe | VisitorsCoverage (Schengen compliant) |
| Schengen visa applicant | VisitorsCoverage (certificate included) |
| Family trip (2 adults + kids) | VisitorsCoverage family policies |
| Backpacker / multiple countries | EKTA annual multi-trip |
| Had a delayed flight in last 3 years | AirHelp or Compensair claim |
What to Skip (Don’t Waste Money)
- Cancel-for-any-reason (+40% premium) unless your plans are highly uncertain
- Rental car CDW from insurer — most credit cards cover this free
- Unnecessarily high limits ($1M+ medical is overkill for Europe)
- Adventure add-on if you’re not doing adventure sports
Hidden Coverage You May Have
Credit cards: Chase Sapphire Reserve/Preferred, Capital One Venture X, Amex Platinum, Citi Premier often include trip cancellation $5–10k, trip delay $500, baggage delay $300, rental car CDW.
Check what your card covers BEFORE buying separate insurance.
EHIC/GHIC (EU/UK residents): covers public emergency care in any EU country. Does NOT cover: private hospitals, repatriation, trip cancellation. Most EU residents still buy basic insurance on top.
3-Step Process
- Check what your credit card covers (call the number on the back)
- Identify gaps (usually: medical abroad, evacuation, high limits)
- Buy a policy filling the gaps from EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
- If you’ve had a flight delay/cancellation: separately check AirHelp for retroactive EU261 compensation
Bottom Line
$30–80 for 2 weeks = 2–5% of trip cost = the cheapest peace of mind in travel. The right insurance turns a potential disaster into a phone call.