Travel & Leisure
Travel health insurance
Do you need travel insurance
Travel Insurance: Your comprehensive guide for worry-free travel
An unexpected illness or a lost suitcase can quickly make a holiday expensive. A suitable travel insurance protects you from high costs and ensures relaxation from the very start. Find out which coverage is right for your next trip.
The topic in brief and concise terms
An international health insurance is essential for practically any trip abroad, as statutory health insurance often only provides basic coverage and does not cover important services such as repatriation.
Travel cancellation and interruption insurance is particularly sensible for expensive trips, families with children, and older travelers to avoid high cancellation fees or additional costs due to unforeseen events.
Carefully compare offers, paying attention to coverage scope, sums insured, deductibles, and cancellation periods to find the optimal and tailored travel protection.
Understanding Travel Insurance: Defining Necessity and Benefits
Travel insurance steps in when unforeseen events disrupt your holiday plans. The necessity depends heavily on travel costs and personal risk factors. High cancellation costs, which can amount to up to one hundred percent of the travel price, often make coverage sensible. Especially for expensive trips or for families with children, the protection can quickly pay off. Comprehensive travel insurance provides financial security against many eventualities. Consider that without insurance, costs of several thousand euros can quickly arise. Therefore, the decision for or against travel insurance should be well thought out.
Identify key components: An overview of the most important types of travel insurance
There are various types of travel insurance that cover different risks. The most important include trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel health insurance. Trip cancellation insurance covers cancellation costs if you are unable to start the trip due to an unexpected serious illness, for example. It is particularly recommended when booking early and for high travel costs. Trip interruption insurance provides coverage if you have to end a trip you have already started prematurely, reimbursing costs for unused travel services. Travel health insurance covers medical costs abroad, which are often only partially or not at all covered by statutory health insurance. These three components often form the basis of solid travel protection.
Additional Coverage for Specific Needs
In addition to these core elements, there are other useful travel insurances. Baggage insurance can be worthwhile if you travel with valuable luggage, as it compensates for loss or damage. Travel accident insurance offers financial support in case of accidents during the trip leading to disability or death. For rental cars abroad, a special policy can be sensible to cover deductibles in the event of damage. Many insurers offer packages that combine several of these services, often at a more favourable price than individual policies. Evaluate your individual needs to assemble the appropriate protection. Choosing the right components optimizes your coverage and prevents unnecessary expenses.
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis: When is travel insurance worthwhile?
The costs of travel insurance vary greatly and depend on several factors. These include the travel price, the duration of the trip, the destination, and the age of the insured persons. A cancellation insurance policy for a trip valued at one thousand five hundred euros can, for example, cost between fifty and one hundred euros. The benefits often become apparent only in the event of a claim, but can then save immense costs. For instance, cancellation fees for a last-minute cancellation can quickly reach eighty percent of the travel price. Early insurance is often cheaper and recommended. Consider whether the premium is proportionate to the potential financial risks. For frequent travelers, an annual policy that covers all trips within a year may be worthwhile.
Practical Examples: When the Insurance Pays
Imagine you book a long-haul trip for three thousand euros and have to cancel it two weeks before departure due to an unexpected operation. Without cancellation insurance, cancellation fees of up to ninety percent could apply, that is, two thousand seven hundred euros. With insurance, these costs, minus any possible deductible, would be covered. Another example: A medical emergency abroad involving hospitalization and repatriation can quickly cost tens of thousands of euros. An overseas health insurance policy covers these costs, which are often not covered by statutory insurance. Even a single claim can exceed the premium costs of many years. These examples illustrate the financial protection that travel insurance can offer.
Consider specific target groups: travel insurance for families and those with chronic illnesses
Families with children often particularly benefit from travel insurance. Statistically, the risk of a family member falling ill shortly before or during the trip is higher. Many providers offer special family rates that are cheaper than multiple individual policies and often cover up to seven children. An annual travel insurance for families can be worthwhile with just two trips per year. Ensure that the insurance also applies when family members travel separately. The definition of “family” can vary, so check the conditions carefully, especially for blended families. Another advantage is that often carers for children are insured if the parents fall ill.
Travelling with Pre-existing Conditions: What You Need to Know
For individuals with chronic illnesses, travel insurance is particularly important, but obtaining it can be more complex. It is advisable to have fitness to travel certified by a doctor before the trip and inform the insurer. Many insurers exclude services for treatments of pre-existing conditions if they were foreseeable. However, an unexpected worsening of a chronic illness is often covered. Make sure to clarify in advance with the insurer which services are covered in the event of a worsening of your chronic illness. Some insurers offer special tariffs or additional modules for those with chronic conditions. Open communication with the insurer and the treating doctor is crucial here for comprehensive protection.
The following points are particularly relevant for travellers with chronic illnesses:
Obtaining a medical certificate of no objection before the trip.
Checking the insurance conditions regarding existing conditions.
Clarification of whether an unexpected worsening of the chronic illness is covered.
Information about medical care options at the holiday destination.
Bringing sufficient medication and relevant medical documents.
These preparations help ensure you are well protected in case of an emergency.
Legal vs. Private: Understanding Health Insurance Coverage Abroad
The statutory health insurance (GKV) offers basic coverage within the EU and in countries with social security agreements. However, this coverage often only corresponds to the level of services in the respective travel destination and does not cover all costs. Private medical treatments or a medical repatriation to Germany are generally not covered by the GKV. This can quickly lead to costs of several tens of thousands of euros. A private foreign health insurance closes these gaps and is therefore highly recommended for travel within Europe. Outside of Europe, private foreign travel insurance is indispensable, as the GKV usually does not provide any coverage at all there. The cost for an annual foreign health insurance is often low, starting at around ten euros per person.
Understanding differences in services and important clauses
Private foreign health insurance often offers significantly more comprehensive benefits than the GKV abroad. This includes the freedom to choose doctors and hospitals, coverage for dental treatments, and the aforementioned medical repatriation. Pay attention to the clause regarding the "medically advisable" repatriation, as "medically necessary" is interpreted very restrictively. Also check whether the insurance provides advance payments or only covers the difference in costs to the GKV. The duration of insurance coverage per trip is usually limited to six to eight weeks for annual contracts. There are special long-term tariffs for longer stays abroad. A detailed comparison of conditions is crucial for optimal protection.
Important differences and aspects include:
Coverage for private clinics and doctors.
Scope of dental treatment benefits.
Conditions for medical repatriation (advisable vs. necessary).
Maximum travel duration for annual contracts.
Exclusion of benefits during pandemics or travel warnings.
Regulations concerning pre-existing conditions.
These details can make a significant difference in case of an emergency.
Conclusion: The right travel insurance as the key to a worry-free journey
The question of whether you need travel insurance cannot be answered universally, but it clearly tends towards a "yes" for most travellers. The cost of good coverage is often small compared to the potential financial risks. A careful analysis of your own needs and a comparison of different offers are essential. Particularly, travel health insurance is a must for any trip abroad. Cancellation and interruption insurance is highly recommended, especially for expensive or long-term planned trips, as well as for families and older adults. Remember, good preparation and the right insurance cover significantly contribute to a relaxed holiday. With the right partner by your side, you can plan your travel with ease.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
The Auswärtiges Amt offers comprehensive travel and security information, including important health details for travellers.
Specific health information for individual travel destinations can also be found on the Auswärtiges Amt pages.
The Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) provides detailed data and statistics on the hospitality and tourism industry in Germany.
Current press releases and further information on tourism developments in Germany are available on the Destatis website.
The Bundesgesundheitsministerium provides information about health insurance coverage for travel abroad and key aspects of healthcare abroad.
The Centrum für Reisemedizin (CRM) offers comprehensive travel medical advice, vaccination information, and current health guidelines for travellers worldwide.
FAQ
What does travel cancellation insurance cover?
It covers cancellation fees if you are unable to embark on a booked trip for insured reasons. These often include unexpected serious illness, accident, death of a close relative, or job loss.
Is travel interruption insurance worthwhile?
Yes, it is worthwhile, as it reimburses costs incurred if you have to cut short a trip you've already started for insured reasons, e.g., for unused travel services or additional return travel expenses.
Does my credit card cover travel insurance?
Some credit cards include travel insurance. However, check the extent and conditions carefully, as coverage is often tied to card usage, has lower coverage amounts, or involves high deductibles.
What should be considered in family travel insurance?
Look out for family rates, which are often cheaper. Clarify how many children up to which age are insured and whether the protection applies to family members traveling separately.
Do I need health insurance for travel within the EU?
Yes, foreign health insurance is highly recommended even within the EU. Statutory health insurance often only covers basic costs and does not include medical repatriation.
What happens if I have to cancel a trip due to Corona?
Many standard travel insurances exclude pandemics. However, some providers offer special Covid-19 add-on insurance or have adapted their terms and conditions. Check this carefully before purchasing.
