Travelling To Europe? Pack In The Essential Covers

Smart travellers must know that insurance is a must-have. From essential health coverage to theft protection and trip interruptions, know what you need for a worry-free Europe trip

- Anuradha Mishra

Travelling through Europe is a dream for many, whether it is walking down the cobbled street of Paris or exploring off-beat locations in the Balkans. But when making thorough itineraries, planning culinary expeditions and the sightseeing, there is one critical thing travellers often overlook—travel insurance.

Says Meet Kapadia, head of travel insurance at Policybazaar.com, an online insurance marketplace, “When travelling abroad, it is advisable to check whether any existing insurance policy you have in India provides global coverage. If it does not, it is advisable to purchase a separate international travel insurance policy to ensure adequate protection against medical emergencies and other unforeseen events while abroad.”

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about insurance coverage for health, emergencies, and those unexpected hiccups that could derail your trip to Europe.

HEALTH INSURANCE

For many, travelling to Europe would mean completing the Schengen visa process, which, by default requires them to meet some specific medical insurance rules. The Schengen Visa, encompassing 26 European countries, allows travellers to move freely within (and across) the boundaries of these nations. However, for non-Schengen countries, while travel insurance is not always mandatory, it is still recommended to have it for coverage against unforeseen events.

According to Parthanil Ghosh, director, and chief business officer at HDFC ERGO General Insurance, Schengen countries mandate that travellers carry medical coverage of at least €30,000 (around ₹26,79,330). This is to ensure support for medical emergencies, hospitalisations, or even medical repatriation back home. Ghosh emphasises that it is imperative for travellers to verify these requirements, even if they are visiting the Balkans, where countries like Serbia and Croatia also often recommend similar health insurance coverages.