Travel Insurance Guide 2026: What It Covers, What It Costs and 7 Mistakes to Avoid

A medical emergency abroad without insurance is not just stressful — it is potentially financially devastating. A single night of hospitalisation in a private Italian clinic costs €500–3,000. Repatriation from Western Europe runs €15,000–30,000. From the USA, considerably more. A week's travel insurance for Europe costs €12–25. The maths are straightforward; the only question is which policy to choose and what to check before buying.

What travel insurance covers

A standard policy combines several types of cover in one document:

Emergency medical expenses

The core of any travel insurance policy. Covers hospitalisation, surgery, medication, emergency dental treatment, and doctor's fees for unforeseen illness or injury that occurs during your trip.

The insured sum matters significantly: minimum €30,000 for Europe and Schengen (required for Schengen visa applications), minimum €50,000–100,000 for destinations outside the EU, and €100,000+ for the USA and Canada. The cost difference between €30,000 and €100,000 cover is usually €3–8 — always take the higher sum.

Medical repatriation

If you are seriously ill or injured and need to return home by medical air ambulance or accompanied by a medical team, repatriation is covered. This is the cover that most travellers underestimate — a medical flight from Spain to your home country costs €12,000–25,000. The EHIC covers none of it.

Most policies also cover the repatriation of a travelling companion if you need someone to accompany you home.

Death transport

If the worst happens, the cost of transporting remains to your home country (€5,000–15,000) is covered by the policy, sparing your family an additional financial burden.

Lost, stolen or damaged luggage

Compensation for baggage lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. Standard limits: €500–1,500. Important: high-value items (phones, laptops, cameras, jewellery) have separate sub-limits, usually €200–300 per item. If you travel with expensive electronics, check whether you need additional cover.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Reimbursement if you cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered reasons — typically: acute illness (documented by a doctor), death of an immediate family member, a serious accident, or a legal summons. Not all standard policies include this — it is often an add-on at €5–10 extra. If you have non-refundable bookings, this cover is worth including. Read the full guide: trip cancellation insurance — when it is worth it.

Flight delay compensation

Daily allowance (usually €30–60/day) if your outbound flight is delayed more than a specified number of hours (typically 6–12 hours). Separate from your rights under EU261/2004 — the regulation covers delays caused by the airline, while the insurance covers costs during the wait regardless of cause. For your EU261 rights: flight delay and cancellation rights.

Winter sports (add-on)

Standard policies cover ordinary activities (swimming, cycling, light hiking). Skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, and most adventure sports require a specific winter sports or adventure sports add-on — typically €5–15 extra for the policy duration. Without it, an accident on the slopes is not covered.

What travel insurance does NOT cover

These are the exclusions that cause the most claim refusals. Read this section carefully.

Undeclared pre-existing conditions. If you have diabetes, hypertension, a heart condition, or any chronic illness and do not declare it when purchasing, any emergency related to that condition will not be covered. Insurers have access to medical databases and conduct checks when significant claims are made. Declare everything — the additional premium is small (€5–15) and the alternative is a refused claim on a €30,000 hospital bill.

Accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you fall off a scooter in Crete after three cocktails, the insurer has the legal right to refuse the claim. This is the most commonly invoked exclusion in claim disputes at tourist destinations. It does not require blood alcohol levels at the time — circumstantial evidence is often sufficient.

Extreme sports without add-on. Paragliding, bungee jumping, kite surfing, mountaineering, cliff diving — not covered by standard policies. If your trip includes these activities, verify or add the cover explicitly.

Planned medical treatment. Cosmetic surgery, elective dental procedures, or any treatment you specifically travelled abroad to receive — not covered. The policy covers unforeseen emergencies, not planned procedures.

Known events. If a hurricane has been named, a strike has been announced, or a conflict has escalated publicly before you buy the policy, costs related to those events are typically not covered. Insurance covers the unforeseen; known risks at purchase time are excluded.

Conflict zones. Travel to countries under a level 4 government travel warning (active armed conflict) is excluded by most standard policies. Specialised war risk cover exists but is significantly more expensive.

Real prices by destination

Indicative prices for adults 18–65, individual policy, medical + baggage + repatriation. Winter sports add €5–15. Over 65s: prices increase 50–100%.

Annual multi-trip policy: €120–250/year, covers all trips within 12 months (with a cap, typically 30–45 days per trip). Worth it from 3+ trips per year — you buy once and travel covered all year.

The EHIC vs travel insurance — the key comparison

The European Health Insurance Card is free and useful, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance:

Recommended approach: get the EHIC (free, apply at your national health authority) and carry it on every trip. Buy travel insurance as well — the two are complementary, not alternatives. For a detailed comparison: EHIC vs travel insurance.

Seven common mistakes

1. "I have the EHIC, I'm covered"

The single most common and costly misconception. The EHIC covers public hospital emergencies in EU countries. It covers nothing in Turkey, the UK (partially), or anywhere outside the EU. It does not cover repatriation, private clinics, or any of the extras that make the difference in a serious situation.

2. "My credit card includes travel insurance"

Partially true in some cases. Many premium cards include travel insurance benefits — but with limitations that are easy to miss. Coverage amounts are often low (€10,000–25,000), the trip usually needs to have been paid with that specific card, and pre-existing conditions are excluded. Read the actual certificate of insurance from your bank, not the marketing summary.

3. "I'm only going for 3 days, I don't need it"

Trip duration does not affect the probability of an accident. A broken wrist from a cobblestone stumble in Prague or food poisoning in Istanbul can happen on day one. A 3-day European policy costs €5–8. The risk-reward calculation is clear.

4. "I'll buy it at the airport before the flight"

You can, but airport insurance desks charge significantly more (they are commission-based operations with captive customers). Buy online 2–3 days before departure. It takes five minutes, you receive the policy by email instantly, and it costs 20–30% less.

5. "My car insurance covers me driving to Greece"

Your car insurance (third-party liability and comprehensive if you have it) covers the vehicle. Travel insurance covers you — your health, your luggage, your ability to cancel and recover costs. They are entirely separate products covering entirely separate risks.

6. "I won't declare my pre-existing condition — they'll never find out"

They often do, particularly when the claim is significant. Insurers have access to medical records and databases and can conduct investigations when processing large claims. An undeclared hypertension history when the emergency is a cardiac event is grounds for full claim refusal. Declare everything at purchase. The additional premium is almost always a fraction of the alternative risk.

7. "I'll go straight to the hospital, then claim back"

The correct procedure is: call the insurer's 24/7 emergency line first. They will direct you to a network hospital where the insurer pays directly, pre-authorise treatment, and assign a case manager. If you walk into a private hospital without prior authorisation, you may end up paying out of pocket and face a complicated reimbursement process.

In a genuine life-threatening emergency: call 112 (or the local equivalent) first. Then call the insurer. Your life takes priority over procedure.

How to use travel insurance when something goes wrong — step by step

A real scenario: severe food poisoning in Istanbul. What do you do?

Step 1. Call the 24/7 emergency number on your policy card (save it to your phone before departure).

Step 2. The operator asks for your policy number and location, and directs you to the nearest partner hospital or approved facility.

Step 3. At the hospital, show your policy (PDF on your phone is fine). The insurer pays the hospital directly — you pay nothing.

Step 4. If you end up at a non-partner hospital and pay out of pocket: keep every receipt, invoice, and discharge summary in original form.

Step 5. On return, submit the claim online with all documentation. Reimbursement typically arrives within 14–30 days.

What to keep: medical reports, prescription receipts, taxi receipts to the hospital, hotel receipts if your stay was extended due to illness. Anything with a date and amount.

How to choose the right policy — quick checklist

Step 1: Confirm the destination. EU, non-EU, or worldwide? This determines the base price range.

Step 2: Choose the medical cover amount. Minimum €30,000 for Europe (Schengen visa requirement), minimum €50,000–100,000 for non-EU, €100,000+ for the USA. The price difference is small.

Step 3: Check your activities. Skiing, snorkelling, mountain cycling? Add the winter/adventure sports extension.

Step 4: Decide on cancellation cover. Non-refundable flights and hotels? Add trip cancellation. Flexible bookings only? It may not be necessary.

Step 5: Declare pre-existing conditions. Everything chronic — diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiac history. Pay the small additional premium.

Step 6: Buy 2–3 days before departure. Online. Five minutes. Policy delivered by email. Done.

For Schengen visa applicants

If you need travel insurance as part of a Schengen visa application, the requirements are specific: minimum €30,000 medical cover, valid for the entire stay, covering all Schengen countries, with repatriation explicitly included. The policy document must be in a format the embassy accepts. Full details: travel insurance for Schengen visa.

Related guides

• EHIC vs travel insurance — full comparison
• Trip cancellation insurance — when it is worth it
• Travel insurance for Schengen visa
• Flight delay and cancellation rights under EU261