Travel insurance for Europe
Travel medical insurance, baggage protection and trip delay coverage for single- and multi-destination trips.
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Europe is a mosaic of distinctly unique nations. Landscapes vary from cliff-bound archipelagos to highland forests and isolated beaches, in countries where you can take a deep-dive into history, brave an outdoor adventure, and taste your way across the continent… all in a single trip.
Whether you’re focusing on a single country or planning to cross borders, here are some tips on how to have a safe journey and what to do if you run into a problem and need to file a travel insurance claim.
- Getting protection for your personal belongings
- Getting help for medical emergencies
- Adventure sports coverage
- Keeping safe on the road
- Preparing for travel setbacks
Getting protection for your personal belongings
While most countries in Europe are considered safe, there is always a chance of being pickpocketed or having something stolen.
Many European cities have reliable public transportation systems, which make it easy to get around, but crowded places, such as trains and buses, can also be targets for thieves.
If your wallet, purse or other personal belongings get stolen, make sure you report the incident to the local police. When you make your claim, you’ll need to submit the police report, as well as proof of ownership of the missing items, such as receipts.
Travel insurance won’t cover certain items, such as cash or credit cards, but can help with the replacement of passports and other travel documents as well as other property, up to per article and maximum benefit limits.
Getting help for medical emergencies
Just because many European countries have universal health care systems doesn’t mean that non-residents don’t have to pay medical bills. Before you twist your ankle on a cobblestoned street or get into an accident on the ski slopes, make sure you have coverage for medical emergencies, no matter where you’re headed.
There are a lot of intricacies when dealing with medical claims, but you don’t have to muddle your way through the policy or face a crisis on your own. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team connects you to health care providers, including those who speak English, monitor your care, and communicate with you directly about your case. Need help understanding your coverage? Just ask us.
Adventure sports coverage
With snow-capped mountains, clear-as-glass lakes, and island gems, Europe’s diverse landscapes are perfect for adventurers who enjoy scenery as much as a dose of adrenaline.
You might be hiking in Corsica or surfing the big waves in Portugal, but make sure that your plan covers adventure sports and activities. Read this Help Center article on adventure sports coverage to see if activities are covered. Some sports may require an additional premium. Don’t see your sport or activity on the list? Just reach out to our customer service department and ask if you can get coverage.
Bonus: don’t forget our adventure travel hotline, where you can get access to tons of information, including weather reports and locations of nearby outfitters, gear shops and guides, and more.
Keeping safe on the road
Europe’s scenic mountain drives can pose a danger if you’re focused more on the views than the road. Turns can be tight and winding, and some of the routes may lack safety barriers or be riddled with potholes.
Different countries have different road rules, including speed limits (you may need to brush up on the road rules); you may be required to obtain an International Driver’s Permit, even if you’re already licensed in Canada.
World Nomads travel insurance does not include collision damage insurance. However, if you get into an accident, do what you would normally do in Canada: obtain the name, address, insurance information and driver’s license number of any parties involved and report the incident to the local police and to your rental car company. When you file your claim with your rental vehicle insurance provider, you’ll need to submit your rental agreement, a police report and a damage estimate.
For country-specific road safety tips, go to our Travel Safety section.
Preparing for travel setbacks
With so many countries in close proximity, it’s easy to cross the border and be transported to a completely different place. But anywhere along your journey, hiccups can happen.
World Nomads’ trip interruption coverage can help you get you get back on your feet – and back home – if the unexpected strikes. Just be sure to check that the event qualifies as a covered risk under your policy.
Depending on your case, you may need to collect and safeguard all your receipts for the expenses you’ve had to incur because of your change in plans, whether that be a hotel stay, dinner at an airport restaurant, or the purchase of a toothbrush and toothpaste. (A subsistence allowance is available for select covered risks.) Try to keep your expenses to just the basics, as our plans can cover only up to a per-day and total maximum limit.
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.
True claim
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. As luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery. I got a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy. 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
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Got into an accident?
- Travel companion sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Need a hospital?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Hurt abroad?
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport stolen?
- Luggage lost?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the team