Travel insurance: short guide and 5 best providers

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.