What is travel insurance?

It protects you against any unforeseen circumstances that may arise during your stay and covers some expenses. Choosing the right travel insurance gives you peace of mind. Comparing the cover on offer, checking exclusions and opting for a package suited to your trip are all useful tips for selecting the best protection. Tailor-made travel insurance is the key to a successful trip.

1. Do you know is a travel insurance ?

2. What are the advantages of travel insurance ?

3. When should you take out travel insurance ?

4. How do I choose the right insurance?

1. Do you know is a travel insurance ?

Financial protection during your trip

Travel insurance offers financial security in the event of unforeseen events occurring before or during your trip. It allows you to be reimbursed in the event of cancellation, interruption of your stay or loss of luggage. It also covers you for medical expenses in the event of illness or accident abroad. So you can travel with peace of mind.

A 24-hour assistance service

Travel insurance also offers a 24/7 telephone assistance service. Policyholders benefit from expert help before and during their trip. It can also direct you to a doctor or hospital if you have a health problem on the spot.

2. What are the advantages of travel insurance ?

Luggage and personal effects

Travel insurance generally provides compensation in the event of loss, theft or damage to baggage during the trip. Personal effects such as clothing, photographic equipment or valuables may be covered up to a certain limit. However, be sure to read the policy exclusions concerning uninsurable items. This cover means you won't have to buy things again in a hurry if there's a problem with your luggage.

Emergency medical expenses

When travelling abroad, the insurance covers all or part of unforeseen medical expenses such as doctor's consultations, medicines or urgent hospitalisation. Depending on the policy, these costs are reimbursed up to a limit of €100,000 to €300,000. So you're covered in the event of an accident or unexpected illness, without having to pay in advance in a country where medical costs can be high.

Assistance and repatriation

The insurer offers 24/7 assistance in the event of medical or other problems abroad. For example, it organises medical repatriation or early return, covers the cost of extending an accompanying person's stay and advances medical and surgical expenses. You benefit from rapid help and support in the event of an emergency far from home.

3. When should you take out travel insurance?

Before departure

Travel insurance can be taken out at any time before departure. In fact, it can be taken out even the day before departure. However, it is best to take out insurance at least a week in advance to ensure full cover. The earlier you take out insurance, the more cover you will have.

During your trip

Once you've started your trip, some insurance companies allow you to take out cover from abroad, but a waiting period will apply. The waiting period is a period during which the insured is not covered. It is counted from the date you take out your policy.

If the policy is taken out from the country of stay (abroad), the consequences of an illness occurring during the first 15 days will not be covered. The same applies if your policy is extended late, i.e. more than 48 hours after the end of your initial policy.

Under no circumstances will any costs relating to an event occurring during the waiting period be reimbursed. This waiting period applies to all cover, except in the event of a bodily injury to which you are the victim or for which you are responsible, provided that it is certified by a competent authority (fire brigade certificate, police report, etc.).

At the end of the trip

It covers only the period between the departure date and the return date indicated when the policy was taken out. Travel insurance is valid until the end of the trip, when you return home. It covers only the period between the departure date and the return date indicated when the policy was taken out. It is not possible to extend the duration of the insurance once the trip has ended. If a new trip is planned, a new specific contract must be taken out.

4. How do I choose the right insurance?

Comparing coverage

In most cases, the first step is to compare the cover on offer. As well as reading the general terms and conditions, potential policyholders should examine what cover is provided in the event of cancellation, interruption of stay, loss of luggage or medical expenses abroad. Reimbursement ceilings deserve particular attention.

Check for exclusions

By carrying out an in-depth study, you can determine whether any activities or destinations are excluded from cover. Extreme sports, high-risk areas and epidemics are among the frequent exclusions that it is worth checking. Pre-existing illnesses are also often excluded.

Opting for the right insurance

At the end of the day, the wise traveller chooses an insurance policy that corresponds to the nature and duration of his stay, as well as to the geographical area. An annual multi-risk insurance policy is recommended for a backpacker, while a simple policy is sufficient for a seaside holiday in the European Union. The cost of the premium should remain reasonable in relation to the trip.

Travel insurance from AVI International

When choosing travel insurance, AVI International stands out for its commitment to providing comprehensive and reliable protection. In addition to standard benefits such as coverage for emergency medical expenses and reimbursement for lost luggage, AVI International offers 24/7 assistance, ensuring constant support for travellers, whether for medical advice, organising medical repatriation or unforeseen emergencies. Short trip with Routard insurance or long trip with Marco Polo insurance