Question 1

Is travel insurance mandatory in Europe?

Accepted Answer

Travel insurance is a legal requirement if you are traveling to one of the countries within the Schengen zone and you need a visa. If you do not need a visa, travel insurance isn’t an overarching requirement, but countries can choose to require it independently. Regardless, having travel insurance before visiting Europe is highly recommended by multiple governments, including the US and UK administrations.

Question 2

Do you need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory in order to be granted a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C). The chosen policy must meet specific criteria, including coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation of up to €30,000. It's important to look closely at the terms and conditions to make sure that the policy complies with the Schengen requirements and provides adequate coverage for your needs. When applying for your visa, you’ll need to take proof of your insurance cover with you to your visa appointment, along with any other paperwork necessary for your visa application, so make sure you get it all squared away ahead of time.

Question 3

Where can I compare Schengen travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

You can compare Schengen travel insurance policies using the Insurte comparison tool. Our free tool will help you identify which insurance providers are best suited to your needs, depending on pricing and the extent of cover. You can filter your search according to single or multi-trip, number of travelers, and length of stay, then browse the options to compare policies.

Question 4

When do I need to buy Schengen travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

If you are applying for a Schengen visa, you need Schengen travel insurance. You’ll be required to submit proof of your compliant policy when you submit your visa application, so it’s important to purchase your travel insurance well in advance. That said, it is possible to apply for the insurance immediately before your appointment if you are short on time. A 100% digital insurance option will work if you’re in a pinch. Remember, you will need to print your insurance certificate in time to include it in your visa application paperwork. If your visa application is unsuccessful, you can apply for a 100% refund from Insurte within 14 days of your visa refusal.

Question 5

Do I need deductible or no deductible insurance for my Schengen visa?

Accepted Answer

Some embassies may require travelers to take out an insurance policy with no deductible, so it is important to check with your visa center before taking out insurance, just to be sure.

Question 6

Can I insure my Schengen travel if I’m 65 years old, 75 years old, or over 80 years old?

Accepted Answer

Some insurance providers have age restrictions and do not provide coverage to those over 65, 75, or 80 years old. Fortunately, Insurte has no upper age limit. We provide coverage to travelers of any age, so you can enjoy exploring Europe, no matter how old or young you are. By selecting the upper age limit in our comparison tool, we’ll make sure we present you with the best insurance coverage for your age group.

Question 7

Do I have to buy my Schengen travel insurance from my country of departure?

Accepted Answer

There are no requirements as to where you buy your travel insurance. Today, online providers offer a wide range of choices when it comes to travel insurance. This has made it more convenient than ever to look at all of the options from all over the world. The only requirement the European Union has is that the insurance coverage must be recoverable from within the Schengen country in which you are staying at the time of the claim.

Question 8

Is my choice of Schengen insurance restricted based on my nationality?

Accepted Answer

Not with Insurte. Unfortunately, some insurance providers can have restrictions based on nationality, but Insurte is not one of them. Insurte’s insurance panel covers travelers of all nationalities, and your coverage can be purchased from any country.

Question 9

Can I get a refund for my Schengen travel insurance in case of visa refusal?

Accepted Answer

With Insurte, yes! While it’s disappointing, some customers are not granted a Schengen visa upon application. This is a frustrating situation that may require you to change or cancel your travel plans. Insure guarantees a 100% refund on any insurance policy in case of an unsuccessful visa application. To claim your refund, you will need to provide us with official proof of your visa refusal within 14 days of receiving it. Reach out to our team via the contact form on our website to arrange a refund. We will promptly assist you.

Question 10

Do I need Schengen visa insurance if I'm traveling to French overseas territories?

Accepted Answer

France has a number of overseas territories that, although part of France, are not considered part of the Schengen area. You therefore do not need a Schengen visa if traveling to these regions. Instead, unless exempt, non-EU nationals will need to apply for a visa specific to that region. Likewise, your mandatory travel insurance will need to be specific to that region as well, and you won’t require Schengen visa travel insurance. French overseas territories include: Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint-Barthelemy
The Collectivity of Saint Martin, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Clipperton In all cases, travel insurance is highly recommended when visiting the French overseas territories, to be sure you are taken care of in case of an emergency. You can find out more about the specific visa requirements for these regions here.

Question 11

Do I need Schengen Visa insurance if I’m traveling to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

In addition to the Netherlands in Europe, the Kingdom of the Netherlands also comprises three Caribbean islands: Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten. As with French overseas territories, these regions are not part of the Schengen area and therefore do not require a Schengen visa.
Travel insurance is always recommended when you are traveling to these regions, so that you are fully covered for any incident during your trip. It's important to check the specific entry requirements of the Caribbean territory you intend to visit to ensure you have the required insurance.

Question 12

Is my worldwide travel insurance compliant with Schengen requirements?

Accepted Answer

If you are a backpacker, remote worker, business traveler, or travel regularly for any other reason, you may already have worldwide travel insurance in place. In this case, your worldwide travel insurance plan, whether it’s for a single trip or multi-trip, may be compliant with Schengen requirements, as most worldwide insurance packages cover all countries within the Schengen zone. Double-check the terms and conditions to ensure your current policy meets the Schengen area's policy minimums. As a note, all Insurte worldwide travel insurance policies are 100% compliant with Schengen requirements. So you can continue your travels without any extra hassle.

Question 13

Are all Insurte policies recoverable in a Schengen Member state?

Accepted Answer

European Union regulations (Decision 810/2009 of 13 July 2009) state that for insurance coverage to be considered adequate for a visa application, claims against the insurance company must be recoverable from within the Schengen Member state where you are staying at the time of the claim. Insurte works with leading European insurers within the global health network, and all Insurte insurers comply with this regulation. With Insurte, any insurance claim made during a stay in the Schengen area is recoverable from within any Schengen Member state.

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