Travel insurance: short guide and 5 best providers
Updated 23 July 2026.
A travel insurance pays out €30-€50/year and covers €100,000+ of medical costs abroad. Skipping it is a really bad idea.
Short or annual?
Short trip (1-3 weeks): €15-€25 single trip. More than 2 trips per year: annual insurance (€60-€100/year) is cheaper.
Most important coverage
1) Medical costs unlimited. 2) Repatriation (emergency flight home, €10,000+). 3) Luggage €1000+. 4) Cancellation €500+. 5) Liability €1,000,000.
Standard or extensive package?
Extensive package adds: ski equipment, valuables, money loss, computer/phone abroad. Worth it for €5 extra if you travel with electronics.
Best providers (2026)
Allianz Global Assistance (best in class), AIG/Travel Guard, ANWB (good for Europe), Central Beheer, Unigarant.
Pregnancy and adventure sports
Standard policies often exclude pregnancy after week 26 and 'risk sports' (climbing, off-piste skiing, scuba below 30m). Specifically check coverage.
Existing medical conditions
Tell your insurer about diabetes/heart conditions/chronic illness. Without disclosure, claims are denied. Often costs €20-€30 extra.
Skip credit-card insurance for big trips
Visa/Mastercard Gold includes basic travel insurance. OK for European city breaks. Insufficient for long-haul or adventure travel.
How to claim a payout
Always call before treatment (24/7 alarm number). Keep all receipts. Take photos of the situation. File within 4 weeks of returning home.
What does a standard travel insurance cover?
A standard annual travel insurance (around 7-12 euros per month for a family) typically covers: medical costs and repatriation, cancellation due to illness or death of a close relative, loss or theft of luggage, and flight or baggage delay. What is almost never covered: adventure sports (off-piste skiing, kitesurfing, rock climbing), epidemics or pandemics, and regions classified as 'amber' or 'red' by your government's foreign travel advice.
Comparing travel insurance: what to look for
The most important comparison points are: maximum medical coverage (look for at least 1 million euros/dollars for US travel), repatriation coverage, 24/7 emergency helpline, and excess or deductible. For trips to the USA, Canada or Australia, make sure your policy covers at least 1 million euros in medical costs - hospital bills in the US can run to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also check the sum-insured for valuables: most policies cap expensive electronics at 300-500 euros per item, which may not cover a new laptop or camera.
Credit card travel insurance: when is it enough?
Platinum and gold credit cards from ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank often include travel insurance when you pay for the trip with the card. Check the coverage carefully: most card-based policies have a lower medical maximum and do not cover cancellation. Card travel insurance is fine for a short European city break with low medical risk; for a long-haul trip or USA travel, take out a separate policy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
In Europe, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) entitles you to basic medical care in all EU countries. But travel insurance adds: full repatriation, coverage for non-emergency medical costs, liability and baggage. For travel outside Europe, travel insurance with high medical coverage is essential, especially for the USA.
What does travel insurance cost?
A single-trip travel insurance for a week in Europe costs around 15-35 euros. An annual travel insurance for a family costs 7-12 euros per month and is always cheaper if you take more than 3-4 holidays per year. Compare policies at MoneySuperMarket, comparethemarket.com or GoCompare.
Does my credit card cover me as a traveller?
Gold and platinum credit cards sometimes include travel insurance when you pay for the trip with the card. Check the policy conditions: coverage is often more limited than a separate policy, with lower medical maximums and no cancellation cover.