What you need to know about travel insurance for a trip to France
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Europe’s cultural capital offers some unexpected surprises: a sand dune among pines, a bistro down a side street, masterpieces squirreled away in a chateau. But for surprises of the unpleasant kind – a delayed connection at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport or pickpocketing on the Metro – World Nomads can back you up with travel insurance benefits and an Emergency Assistance Team behind you.
France doesn’t require Canadian residents to have travel insurance to enter for short trips, but does that mean that you don’t need travel protection? For the most part, you can spend your days promenading along the River Seine or shushing down the slopes of Mont Blanc without an incident. But if you twist your ankle or take a tumble on the slopes, it helps to be prepared for the inconnu (that’s ‘unknown’ in French). A travel insurance plan with a basket of protections – from emergency medical to baggage and personal belongings – may be able to prevent a little snafu from becoming a catastrophe that wipes out your savings.
Petty crime and the theft of personal belongings can be common in Europe, especially in popular destinations or crowded transport hubs.
With a World Nomads policy, if your personal effects get stolen, you may get covered for the depreciated value of your items, up the maximum amount specified in your policy (scan the schedule of benefits for an overview of coverage).
Always report the crime to the police and/or your travel provider, such as an airline, hotel or tour operator, as you’ll need to provide this paperwork to us when you file your travel insurance claim. You may be also be asked to show proof of ownership. Missing documentation is one of the top reasons why claims are delayed (and the reason why your claim reimbursement doesn’t get issued ). Don’t have the right docs? Read our Help Center article on what to do if this happens to you.
The diversity of France’s geography means that there’s a sandy beach, river canyon or snow-capped peak for every adventurer and every skill level. World Nomads travel insurance policies cover a range of activities from cross-country and alpine skiing to hiking and mountain biking. We also cover some water-based activities, including scuba diving and sea kayaking. Some of these sports may require an upgrade for an additional premium.
Some activities may also require special conditions, such as a scuba diving certification or adherence to resort regulations or the International Ski Federation code. You’ll also want to read closely the exclusions section of your policy, as some activities may not be covered.
Check out our Help Center article about adventure sports coverage to ensure that your activities are included. Any questions? Contact us.
While French nationals benefit from a universal health care system, travellers from outside the EU may be out of pocket if they get into a cycling accident on a country road or get sick from a steak tartare or unpasteurized cheese. If you aren’t enrolled in a GHIP (government health insurance plan) for the entire duration of your trip, your coverage could be affected. Remember that you must contact us before seeking medical attention, emergency evacuation or repatriation, unless your medical condition prevents you from calling, in which case you must call as soon as medically possible or have someone call on your behalf.
Many care providers accept only cash and ask you to pay upfront for any treatment. For the most part, you’ll need to obtain a feuille de soins (a medical treatment form), which you’ll need to submit this to us when you file your claim.
Medical claims can be complicated, and you may be able to be asked for additional documentation. We may ask you for the medical bill, but also proof of payment. You will need to provide us with original receipts for expenses incurred.
When you have to navigate a catastrophe in an unfamiliar language, your emergency situation can go from bad to worse. World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can offer basic translation and interpreter services, so you can speak to doctors or pharmacists, handle admin-related issues at the hospital, or deal with other situations that could arise.
Perhaps it’s no surprise in the home of the French Revolution that union strikes, protests and demonstrations happen fairly frequently. Protests can turn rowdy — often in areas that tourists frequent (Plus, police have been known to use everything from tear gas to water cannons for crowd control.) You should exercise extreme caution and seek safety away from the commotion.
If your plane or train has stopped running due to a strike, preventing you from getting to your destination or continuing your itinerary, you could get reimbursed for your pre-paid expenses under the trip cancellation or trip interruption sections of your policy, depending on if the strike happened before your departure or during your trip.
And, if you happen to get injured in the fray and, say, break your ankle, you can turn to your World Nomads policy. If you weren’t actively participating in such activities, you could be covered for your medical emergencies to a maximum benefit. In addition, you’ll have access to World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance — super utile (helpful) if you want to locate a hospital far away from the urban strife.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
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Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
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Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
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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.