Travel Insurance for Europe
Learn why Canadians may want to buy travel insurance as they explore Europe
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
- Travel insurance for activities in Europe
- Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Europe
- Travel insurance for lost or stolen bags in Europe
- Travel insurance for theft in Europe
- Travel insurance for cancelled, delayed, or interrupted travel in Europe
- Tips for travelling to Europe from Canada
Home to 44 countries, centuries-old cities, sweeping coasts, highland forests, and delectable cuisine, Europe offers an incredibly varied experience over a relatively compact space.
History buffs come to explore medieval towns, sleep in historic castles, and marvel at renowned works of art. Nature lovers can wander through fields of wildflowers, scale alpine mountains, and soak up the sun along rugged coasts. Festival goers can celebrate King’s Day in Amsterdam, toast with pints at Oktoberfest in Germany, and throw tomatoes at La Tomatina in Spain. Foodies can indulge in cheese in France, find the best pasteis de nata in Portugal, and drink wine among rolling vineyards. It’s easy to see why Europe is so popular among Canadians.
Whether you’re focusing on a single country or are planning to cross borders for a multi-destination excursion—— you may want to consider travel insurance for Europe to help you explore the wonders of this continent with ease.
Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
International travel can come with many surprises—such as finding a tiny winery in Tuscany that has been in the family for hundreds of years, or spotting the northern lights dancing through the night skies in Iceland.
Some surprises are not as great, though. Nobody wants to think about things like cancelled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If your trek to Mount Etna is blown due to a travel advisory issued by the Canadian Government or your travel plans are disrupted because you fall off your bike and get hurt while cycling through Slovenia, you may then wish that you had travel insurance for Europe.
World Nomads has two plans to select from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
Travel insurance for activities in Europe
Whether you’re planning to explore Portugal by bike or surf in San Sebastian, World Nomads travel insurance covers Canadians for over 250 activities. Rock climbing in the Dolomites, skiing in Andorra, and sailing around the Greek islands are all covered under travel insurance for Europe too.
It’s important to have a fairly concrete idea of your trip plans before you get a quote. You must list all your activities out when purchasing the plan—and if something happens while you are participating in an activity you didn’t list on your plan, then you won’t be covered. For example, if you go hiking while on your trip and you didn’t list that activity out when making your plan purchase, you won’t be covered if something were to happen on the trail. You may want to overshoot and list out all possible activities you may do, just in case.
Also keep in mind that you will be covered under the base plan to participate in various adventure sports, activities, volunteer, and work experiences, shown as Level 1, under both our Standard and Explorer Plans. For coverage for adventures sports, work and activities listed as Level 2 or Level 3, you will need upgrade your adventure sports coverage to pay an extra premium. Note: Special conditions and exclusions may apply to while taking part in certain sports and activities. For the full policy terms and conditions please review the policy wording.
Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Europe
As prepared as you may be for your European vacation, sometimes the unexpected happens. You might be trying to catch a big wave in Nazare, Portugal, get swept under the water by a wave, and hit your head on a rock. Or you might twist your ankle while hiking through the storied forests of Bavaria. You might require immediate medical attention as a result.
In either case, emergency medical travel insurance could reimburse you for certain medical expenses. While the health care system in Europe is typically quite good, travel insurance for Europe can help you access and be reimbursed for the care you need. However, there is an important thing to note: you must have GHIP coverage in your home province for your entire trip in order to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefits. Without GHIP coverage, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to CAD$40,000.
With over 200 languages spoken in Europe, you might find yourself in an area where English or French isn’t spoken. The 24/7 emergency assistance team will be able to help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your medical team if there is a language barrier.
If your doctor determines that it’s best for you to go home to Canada to get medical care, if approved by us in advance, the emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Europe may cover the costs to get you there.
Travel insurance for lost or stolen bags in Europe
Lost bags are never something we plan for, but unfortunately it happens from time-to-time. You may have packed your favorite swimsuit and sundress for your Italian summer vacation or all your snow gear for a ski trip to the Bavarian Alps. If you land at the airport and then realize that the airline lost your bag, your travel insurance for Europe may reimburse you for the cost to replace your belongings.
If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If this happens, you could still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
Travel insurance for theft in Europe
Europe is pretty safe, although some cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome experience petty theft and pickpocketing. Be aware of your belongings in crowded areas, including major tourist spots or while riding the metro—and read up on some tips for avoiding pickpockets.
If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that if you have to make a claim and get reimbursed for stolen goods with your travel insurance for Europe.
You’ll also need to do your part to keep your belongings safe. If you had one too many drinks during a night out in Prague, you leave your bag at the bar, and your wallet is stolen, World Nomads won’t cover you for your lose.
Travel insurance for cancelled, delayed, or interrupted travel in Europe
You may have planned the perfect European getaway but things can happen that may cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip. Travel insurance for Europe may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Remember- travel insurance does not cover everything. The insurance plan will outline the covered risks for trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay for your trip to Europe.
If you get sick before leaving the Canada and your doctor tells you not to travel at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. Or, if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency while you’re on your adventure, you may need to go back to Canada early. Travel insurance for Europe may provide reimbursement for your prepaid, nonrefundable insured trip costs and may provide additional benefits to help you cover expenses you incur to get back home.
From flooding to forest fires, nature can be unpredictable and it is possible for natural disasters to affect your trip. If, after you have purchased your insurance, a natural disaster causes you to be unable to occupy your Canadian principal residence, you may need to cancel your trip. Volcanoes on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula have been particularly active recently. If, during your trip, an eruption causes flight delays causing you to miss a connection, your trip may be interrupted. Travel insurance does not cover everything, but you may be eligible for reimbursement if you suffer a loss due to one of the covered risks under the insurance policy. Travel insurance for Europe may reimburse you for non-refundable, pre-paid accommodation, and activities.
Tips for travelling to Europe from Canada
Before you leave Canda, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s travel advisories for all the countries you’re planning on visiting. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.
If you purchase travel insurance for Europe, it’s a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
You’ll potentially be travelling across several countries using different languages, driving laws, and customs. Brush up on a few phrases and do some research on each destination to know what to expect from place-to-place.
The trains are a wonderful way to slow travel through Europe and watch the scenery pass by. As you’re preparing for your adventure, brush up on our safety tips for Europe and our favorite destinations to explore on this continent.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the plan. It is important you read and understand your plan as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.
True Claims Stories
Never travel without travel insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain, and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
U.S resident in Spain
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Been made redundant?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.