Summer travel abroad: What insurance should you have before you leave?

A summer holiday should bring peace of mind, and good preparation starts well before you set off. This article aims to explain what type of insurance you should consider, what it covers, when the European Health Insurance Card is not enough, and how to choose the right coverage.

What insurance should you have?

For a summer trip abroad, it is advisable to have Travel Assistance Abroad Insurance, which includes medical expenses, assistance in emergency situations, medical transportation, and repatriation. If you are travelling by air, consider coverage for baggage, flight delays, and missed connections.

Risks your insurance should ideally cover before a summer trip

Medical expenses and emergency assistance

• doctor’s consultations;
• treatment in the event of sudden illness or an accident;
• medication expenses, where covered under the policy terms;
• emergency dental care;
• hospitalization, when necessary;
• medical transportation.
  

Medical repatriation and transportation

With medical repatriation coverage, the policy may provide specialized transportation back to your home country for treatment or recovery following an accident or illness. The cost of such a service can currently range from €5,000 to more than €50,000 for transportation to Bulgaria. The price depends on the distance, as well as the medical equipment and arrangements required for the journey. For many people, these costs can be unaffordable, but with Travel Assistance Insurance, they may be covered depending on the selected package, limits, and General Terms and Conditions.

Baggage, flights, and travel disruptions

Air travel to distant destinations comes with certain risks. Flight delays, airline strikes, and unexpected weather conditions are increasingly common and can result in missed connecting flights. In addition, lost or delayed baggage can seriously disrupt even the best-planned holiday. With Euroins, these risks can be covered through Travel Assistance Insurance, with the scope of protection depending on the selected package, limits, and policy terms.

Is the EHIC enough for a summer holiday abroad?

As part of the European Union, we have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives us access to necessary healthcare during a temporary stay abroad. But what does it actually cover, and how does it differ from travel insurance? We have summarized the key differences in the table below.

The EHIC is useful, but it is not a complete travel insurance policy. The European Commission states that the card provides access to public healthcare, but does not cover private healthcare, repatriation, or planned medical treatment.

How to choose coverage based on your travel plans

Before setting off, it is a good idea to consider how you will be travelling, where you are going and the purpose of your trip. This will help you choose the most suitable travel insurance and coverage.

If you are travelling by plane

If you are travelling to a more distant or exotic destination, especially if your journey involves multiple flights, we strongly recommend including the following in your policy:

• coverage for flight delays;
• missed connecting flights;
• lost or delayed baggage;
• the need to extend your stay.

If you are travelling with children

Young children can be more sensitive to changes in climate and may be more susceptible to various health issues. Therefore, consider including:

• a higher medical expense limit;
• emergency medical assistance coverage;
• medical repatriation for persons under 18;
• the assistance company’s phone number, saved in several places.

If you are planning sports or an active holiday

If you are planning sports or other active activities during your holiday, check whether they are included in your policy coverage. This is particularly important for winter sports, extreme sports, mountain hiking, diving, surfing, cycling or jet skiing. Some activities may require additional coverage or be subject to special conditions.

If you have a chronic condition, are pregnant, or have a specific health risk

Exacerbations of chronic conditions, pregnancy complications and specific health risks should not be assumed to be automatically covered. Check whether additional coverage, a specific limit, an exclusion or special conditions apply.

If you are travelling by car

In addition to travel insurance for yourself, it is important to make sure your car is in good condition and that you have all the necessary documents and valid insurance coverage.

• Familiarize yourself with the driving requirements in the different countries you will be travelling through.
• Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and in good technical condition.
• Make sure your vehicle has all valid compulsory insurance policies in place.
• Enhance your vehicle’s protection with voluntary Comprehensive Motor Insurance (Casco) if you do not already have it, and check which countries the policy is valid in.

 Insurance based on your trip – how to choose

The right insurance before travelling is not a formality, but part of sensible preparation – alongside your documents, bookings, luggage, and checking the latest information about your destination.

Easy, fast and convenient with Euroins

In today’s fast-paced world, visiting an insurance office, working around opening hours, and waiting in queues can often discourage people from taking out voluntary insurance for themselves and their loved ones. That is why Euroins offers the option to purchase travel insurance online in Bulgaria and abroad. With just a few clicks, you can get protected within minutes, wherever you are in the world. All documents are issued immediately, while online payments are secure and protected. Don’t put off protecting what matters most.