Travel Insurance for Europe
Learn why it’s smart for Americans to invest in travel insurance as they explore Europe’s cities, coasts, and mountains.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- 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 canceled, delayed, or interrupted travel in Europe
- Tips for traveling to Europe from the United States
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.
You can go dog-sledding in the Norwegian Arctic, learn how to cook traditional Italian dishes in Cinque Terre, journey into a dormant volcano in the Azores Islands, and explore the wild valleys of Albania’s newest park, Vjosa Wild River National Park. 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 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 Americans.
Whether you’re focusing on a single country or are planning to cross borders for a multi-destination excursion—by train or by car— 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 canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If Mount Etna on Sicily erupts, disrupting your travel plans or if 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 four 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 go explore Portugal by bike or surf in San Sebastian, World Nomads travel insurance covers Americans 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.
Different plans cover different activities. Before you get a quote, it might be helpful to have a general idea of your itinerary in Europe. If you know what activities you have planned, you’ll be able to choose the right insurance plan for your trip.
For example, if you want to go sea kayaking in Croatia and mountain biking in Austria, you’ll be covered under all insurance plans, including the Standard Plan. If you’re itching to do some more daring winter adventures in Switzerland, such as backcountry alpine ski touring, or if you hope to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, you’ll need to invest in the Explorer or the Epic Plan.
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, and hit your head on a rock and require immediate medical attention. Or you might twist your ankle while hiking through the storied forests of Bavaria.
In either case, emergency medical travel insurance may 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 potentially be reimbursed for the care you need.
With over 200 languages spoken in Europe, you might find yourself in an area where English 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 they don’t speak English.
If your attending physician (and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Europe may cover the costs to get you there.
To streamline your experience seeking medical treatment in Europe, we recommend signing up for FootprintID before your trip. This non-insurance service is a portable personal health record where your documents, prescriptions, test results, and emergency contacts are accessible in one place anywhere in the world. Whether you need to refill a prescription or deal with a more serious injury, FootprintID expedites the process.
Travel insurance for lost or stolen bags in Europe
Lost bags are never something we plan for, but unfortunately, they get lost 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 of replacing 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 may still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
Travel insurance for theft in Europe
As a whole, 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 for those stolen goods.
Travel insurance for canceled, delayed, or interrupted travel in Europe
You may have planned the perfect European getaway, but things happen that may cause you to cancel, interrupt, or delay 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 cancelation, trip interruption, and trip delay.
If you get sick before leaving the US 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 the United States early. Travel insurance for Europe may help you cover those costs.
From flooding to forest fires, nature can be unpredictable, and it is possible for natural disasters to affect your trip. Volcanoes on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula have been particularly active recently. If an eruption causes flight problems that prevent you from getting to your destination as planned, your trip may be interrupted or delayed. Travel insurance for Europe can help reimburse you for non-refundable, pre-paid accommodation, and activities.
If you purchase the Explorer and Epic Plan during the time sensitive period, the plans also may cover various travel inconveniences you may encounter on your European getaway. For example, if you planned a ski vacation to Norway, but the resort lacks snow and closes when you are already there, you may be eligible for coverage. Or if your rental car broke down on a road trip through the mountains and villages of Transylvania, Romania and you arrived more than 12 hours late at your destination, you may also be eligible for coverage.
Tips for traveling to Europe from the United States
Before you leave the US, we encourage you to check out the US 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 traveling across several countries using different languages, driving laws, and customs. Learn a few phrases and do some research on each destination to know what to expect from place-to-place.
Much of Europe is well-connected by trains, which is both a convenient and wonderful way to travel slowly 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.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.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 Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Need a hospital?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Damaged luggage
- Checked-in sports equipment
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.