This article was last updated and fact checked on December 11, 2022 by Mani Karthik.
Being a melting pot of cultures, home to world-famous sculptors and artists, a nation of historic buildings and amazing architecture and unbeatable cuisine, Europe is one of the most popular tourist destinations. In 2016, approximately 590 million people spent a night in a European country, placing Europe on top of the World Tourism statistics, says an article by Jakub Marian.
Traveling to Europe requires you to abide by various formalities and gather some key documents, one of which is travel medical insurance. In case of any unfortunate events, such as an accident or sudden emergency in a foreign land, such insurance can take care of all the expenses.
A travel insurance policy that covers all nations that you wish to visit during your Europe trip is a mandatory document to be submitted with the Schengen visa application form.
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Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements
Here’s a look at what you need as mandatory insurance cover for a Schengen visa:
- The minimum coverage should be of €30,000
- The policy must cover all the countries in the Schengen Area
- It should cover all financial requirements associated with medical issues, such as health assistance, emergency treatment, emergency evacuation and so on.
Travel insurance is a must for anyone visiting Europe from a nation that is not visa-exempt. These strict laws are prevalent because the authorities wish to ensure that in case travelers fall ill or require any other medical assistance, they are financially capable of meeting the expenses associated with such medical care. Health care tends to be expensive in European countries, so even if it isn’t mandatory, it would still be a good idea to get insurance cover.
Apart from health care, Schengen insurance also covers trip cancellation or interruption, passport loss, luggage damage or loss, and so on. Comprehensive insurance policies also cover terrorist attacks, hijacking and more.
Also read: Best travel insurance for Europe
When traveling to USA, travel insurance is much recommended.
Two great plans are, Atlas America and Safe Travels USA.
However there are other choices like these, as well.
AXA Schengen Travel Insurance
The AXA Schengen Travel Insurance Policy starts at a premium of as low as €0.99 per day. You can easily calculate the total cost by filling in a few details on their website. In fact, the site is user friendly and allows you to get a quote for Schengen travel insurance by filling in those details. You can even buy the policy online.
After you have purchased the policy, you will receive the insurance certificate immediately. This is accepted at the embassies/consulates of all Schengen countries. There have 3 types of Schengen insurance offered by AXA that you can choose from:
Low Cost Visa Travel Insurance
This provides local medical assistance and pays for medical expenses up to €30,000. This plan is best suited for couples, families, and individuals who wish to enter the Schengen area for a maximum of 6 months. The low-cost visa insurance starts from €0.99 per day.
Europe Travel Schengen Visa Insurance
The cost of this insurance is €1.50 per day and covers all your medical expenses and hospital bills up to €100,000. It provides extensive coverage in both the Schengen area and in other European Union regions. It also covers communication and support your children, in case of death.
Multi Trip Visa Travel Insurance
This is suitable for those travelling to Schengen Zone or Europe frequently. It provides coverage for an entire year. You can travel as many times as you want to, staying up to 90 days in the Schengen area each time. The policy cost starts at €298 per year and covers medical charges up to €100,000.
Travel insurance should be a crucial part of any international travel plan, given that mishaps don’t really differentiate between people or announce their arrival in advance.
