Guide To Obtaining A Schengen Visa Travel Insurance

Schengen travel insurance is a type of insurance that is required for travelers who need to apply for a Schengen visa.

Yes, if you need to apply for a Schengen visa, you must have travel insurance. The Embassy will automatically reject your visa application if you do not have a valid insurance policy.

However, if you do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, you are not required to obtain travel insurance, however it is still strongly advised!

Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements

The Schengen visa travel insurance plan must meet these requirements:

• It should cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
• It should be valid in all 27 countries in the Schengen Zone.
• It should be valid for the entire duration of time you are in Europe.

Companies such as Europ Assistance and MondialCare offer travel insurance certificate that is required by Embassies when applying for a Schengen visa.

How Much Does Schengen Medical Travel Insurance Cost?

Schengen insurance is not usually too expensive in comparison to the overall price of the trip. For example, for a one-week trip, you would pay between €20 to €50, depending on the policy.

There are three main factors which affect the price of your travel insurance policy:

• Your age – The cost of the insurance policy increases along with your age. For example, older individuals (especially over the age of 60) have to pay higher premiums for the same insurance plan than someone who is younger.
• The duration of your trip – Usually, insurance companies calculate the cost of the policy on a daily basis. So, the longer you plan to stay in Schengen, the higher the price of your policy.
• The maximum coverage limit – There are usually 2-3 insurance plans you can choose from, regardless of the insurance company. As such, the basic plan with health insurance coverage of up to €30,000 will be cheaper than the one with maximum coverage of up to €100,000 or more.

Where Can I Purchase Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?

Here’s where you can purchase your policy:

• Through online travel insurance providers.
• Through your travel agency.
• Through a local Schengen-accredited travel insurance company.
• Online travel insurance providers

Here is a list of companies that you can purchase travel insurance for Schengen Visa from:

• Europ Assistance
• MondialCare.
• AXA Schengen.
• Allianz.
• Bupa.

If you are unsure about which company to choose, you can head to an online comparison marketplace such as Insurte, or review the list of the best companies offering travel insurance for Schengen visa and compare the companies.

Through your travel agency

If you plan your trip to Europe through a travel agency, the business may include a complimentary insurance policy in the overall fee. These are typically the most costly offerings, as agencies may occasionally overstate the price of the coverage. Always read the policy ahead of time, and if you don’t agree with it, see if you can opt out.

Local insurance companies

To purchase Schengen travel insurance from local companies in your country, you can just visit the offices of an insurance company in your country, request a Schengen insurance policy, and purchase one.

How To Buy Schengen Visa Insurance Online?

Most insurance companies operate online, so you can simply purchase a travel insurance plan directly from their website. To purchase one, visit the company website, look for the “Get a Quote” or “Start Now” button, and:

• Complete the online application form: You have to give your name, nationality, age, destination, and the dates of travel.
• Select which plan you want: Usually, more than one plan is offered. As a result, you must carefully select the policy that is best suited to your personal travel plans by reading the features of each plan. You can choose between the most economical and the most comprehensive insurance package. For example, if you buy from Europ Assistance, one of the biggest insurance providers, you can choose between two policies.
• Make the payment: You can usually pay by a credit/debit card or through PayPal. The cost of the insurance plan depends on the information you provided (age, length of trip) as well as the plan you chose.
• Download and print the Insurance Certificate: You need this to hand in to the Embassy when you apply for a visa. It will be in PDF format.

How to Present Proof of Purchased Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?

The Embassy will request proof of bought Schengen travel insurance when you apply for a visa. This is known as a “travel insurance certificate” in most cases. When you sign up for one of their plans, your insurance company will offer you one, which you can show to the Embassy.

If the Embassy you apply to has specific requirements for the insurance certificate, simply contact your insurance company and they will most likely issue you a certificate that is appropriate for your situation.

What Should the Schengen Travel Insurance Plan Cover?

A basic policy has to cover the following to be valid for a visa application:

Cost of medical treatment. This includes:

• In-patient and out-patient medical treatment.
• Doctor visits.
• Hospitalization.
• Surgery.
• Prescription medication.
• Emergency dental care.
• Cost of repatriation or evacuation. If you become gravely ill or get into a serious accident which requires medical attention from your home country, then travel insurance covers the cost of repatriation. It also covers repatriation in the event of death.
  However, companies may also offer additional coverage, such as insurance for your trip or liability.

How Do I Get Schengen Visa Insurance From the USA?

If you live in the United States, you can purchase travel insurance for your vacation to Europe in the same manner that everyone else does: by purchasing a plan online. Companies such as Europe Assistance and MondialCare allow you to purchase travel insurance online and receive the Insurance Certificate as a downloadable, printable electronic file. If you want a visa, simply present this Certificate to the Embassy.

How Exactly Does Travel Medical Insurance Work?

Travel health insurance protects you from financial damages caused by medical crises while in Europe. If you have a valid insurance policy during your travel, the insurance company will cover the costs of medical treatment. It usually operates in two ways:

• The hospital sends the bill directly to the insurance company. You do not need to pay anything upfront.
• You pay the bill yourself, then make a claim with the insurance company to reimburse you. Make sure to save the bill you receive from the hospital.

If you are in an emergency situation, make sure to contact the assistance center as soon as you can so that they can help you or inform you on how to proceed.

Should I Purchase Schengen Health Insurance If I Have Domestic Insurance?

Yes, you should. Domestic insurance plans have coverage only within the country they were purchased in, and do not cover international travel. If you have domestic insurance but you also plan to travel to Europe, then you will have to get a Schengen visa insurance plan to cover you abroad.

Can I Get a Refund If My Schengen Visa Application Is Refused?

Many companies offer you a refund of your insurance policy if you do not receive a Schengen visa, but not all. Usually, you can learn whether or not you can get a refund by looking at the FAQ section on a company website, or by contacting them directly.

Does Schengen Medical Insurance Cover me for Countries That Are Not Part of the Schengen Area?

No, Schengen insurance is aimed only at the countries within the Schengen Area. However, if you plan to travel somewhere outside the Schengen Zone, you can get an international travel insurance plan or an additional insurance plan aimed specifically at those countries.

Will I Get Covid-19 Coverage When Buying a Schengen Visa Travel Insurance?

If you become unwell while traveling with Covid-19, most travel insurance companies will only cover your medical bills if you follow your country’s or the destination country’s travel recommendations, as well as those provided by the World Health Organization.

In other words, if you visit a location with travel limitations or a large number of Covid-19 illnesses, you are unlikely to have coronavirus coverage.