Travel insurance, especially after the pandemic, has become a must for those who want to travel safely and want assistance in case of unforeseen situations such as illness, flight cancellations and medical emergencies. I must admit, however, that it is not always easy to untangle the small print in ‘legalese’ and general conditions written in lower case at the end of an endless bulleted list. In this post we list some aspects to consider when choosing an insurance policy and general impressions of the best-known companies, so that you have a first idea to help you choose.
What to consider when choosing travel insurance?
Here are some key factors that are useful when comparing travel insurance:
- Health cover: In addition to medical expenses, it is useful to consider and include hospital treatment, care and repatriation. The maximum limits should certainly be considered when choosing, depending also on the destination and whether there is a direct payment of medical expenses or it is necessary to pay them in advance and then claim reimbursement;
- Cancellationcover: travel insurance may also include reimbursements for cancellation costs due to unforeseen reasons. However, these only provide cover in the case of serious impediments: illness or accident that effectively prevents departure, bereavement of a family member or other similar circumstances. The insurance prospectus always states what is included in the accepted reasons for reimbursement and what is not;
- Deductible: Some insurances may provide a deductible, i.e. an amount of money that must be paid before expenses are covered. It is important to assess whether the deductible is appropriate with respect to the cover offered;
- Othercovers: Some insurances also offer other covers such as loss of luggage, third-party liability, roadside assistance and coverage for sporting or adventurous activities.
Comparison of different travel insurances
Considering a wide range of travel insurance companies, it is essential to carefully compare their offers to find the best one for your needs.
Among the best-known and most established options are Europe Assistance and Allianz.
Europ Assistance, although renowned, has higher prices than other policies without offering significant additional cover such as trip cancellation included in many competing offers. Allianz, on the other hand, offers a wide range of policies but with relatively low limits for medical assistance and requires extra payments for many crucial covers such as trip cancellation.
For those looking for competitive prices and comprehensive cover, there are companies such as Coverwise, AXA Assistance, HeyMondo, Columbus and Ekta.
Coverwise offers a full range of cover at an affordable price, although it has deductibles on several categories and limitations on adding extra cover such as cancellation. On the other hand, AXA Assistance offers various covers but with some limitations, such as deductibles on medical expenses and specific requirements for adding cancellation cover. HeyMondo, a newer name on the market, offers competitively priced travel insurance with the possibility of eliminating the deductible and adding cancellation cover, as well as providing an App to communicate with the company easily and immediately. Columbus, finally, is a well-known company that offers single or annual multi-trip policies with coverage for medical expenses, trip extension or cancellation, with assistance completely in Italian.
For more specialised coverage or for specific needs, there are Globelink and Chapka.
Globelink caters specifically for travellers, offering policies with extensive cover and competitive prices, including packages for sports activities or events. Chapka, although less known in Italy, offers a variety of covers for longer and more adventurous trips, albeit with some limitations such as lower limits for medical expenses.
Travel Tips
Health Rights within the European Union
Citizens within the EU are entitled to receive healthcare in the member states as if they were local citizens. This means that in case of need, you can access the medical care you need without necessarily having to buy additional health insurance. Of course, there may be some expenses that are not covered by the national health system of the country you are in. There are travel insurance options with Europe-wide coverage, which offer a few more options but without significantly increasing costs.
Travel Insurance Costs
The cost of travel insurance can vary considerably depending on the destination, the type of cover chosen and the duration of the trip. In Europe, for example, it is generally cheaper than in the US (where the healthcare system is inherently more expensive) or compared to other ‘riskier’ destinations. There are, however, ways to save money. If you travel a lot during the year, you can opt for an annual policy instead of a single trip. For example, policies such as True Value offered by True Traveller can cost only around €3.5 per day for a two-week trip, but the daily cost can drop to just over €1 for a full-year trip.
Timeframe for the Purchase of Travel Insurance
The timing of the purchase depends very much on the options included. If you choose comprehensive cover, with cancellation protection, it is advisable to take out the policy as early as possible to avoid extra expenses. In general, although some companies allow the purchase of the policy up to the day of departure, it is always better to do so at least a few days beforehand to make the most of the cover.
Management of Medical Expenses during the Trip
In the event of a medical emergency while travelling, the procedures for payment of expenses may vary depending on the insurance company. In most cases, true emergencies and prolonged hospitalisation are covered directly by the insurance company (or at least can be a benchmark to consider when making a choice). However, it is useful to contact the company immediately to inform it of the situation and speed up the process of reimbursement or direct payment of expenses.
Annual or multi-annual policies
Annual or multi-trip policies offer cover for all trips within a year. This type of policy can be advantageous for frequent travellers, but it is important to bear in mind that there is usually a maximum duration per single trip, usually around 30 days. Some insurance companies offer extensions of this maximum duration, such as Aig’s ‘Annual Single Trip’ policy, which goes up to 45 days.
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Ultimately, in light of all the potentially critical situations from which one may be covered, travel insurance is an essential investment for any careful traveller. Remember: travelling with peace of mind is travelling prepared.
Last modified: 7 April 2025
