5 Affordable Travel Insurance Plans for Your France Trip

5 Affordable Travel Insurance Plans for Your France Trip

Why Travel Insurance for France?

While France's healthcare system is first-rate, visitors may find it expensive. Your US health insurance most certainly won't cover you there. Over 100 million foreign visitors to France in 2023 will bring in €63 billion. Those figures make it very evident that unanticipated events—from minor ailments to trip cancellals—can and do happen. While overseas, travel insurance safeguards your health and financial outlay. Travel insurance showing at least €30,000 in medical coverage is required for anyone needing a Schengen Visa (not US citizens on travels under 90 days).

What to Look For in a Plan

Essential coverage includes trip cancellation/interruption (covering non-refundable expenses like flights and tours), emergency medical expenses (aim for at least $50,000 in coverage, as advised by Squaremouth), medical evacuation (covering transport to a suitable facility or back home, costs can exceed $50,000), and baggage loss or delay. Usually, for an extra fee, some policies provide optional "cancel for any reason" coverage, reimbursing a percentage—usually 50–75% of non-refundable expenses. Extreme sports and skiing are among the activities that sometimes call for extra coverage.

Comparing Affordable Options

Age, trip length, coverage level, and deductible affect plan rates. Comparison sites like Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip offer side-by-side comparisons of several insurance policies from providers, including Allianz Travel, AXA, and others.

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

Provides three plans with differing coverage levels: Economy, Preferred, and Deluxe. Under Preferred, trip cancellation up to $50,000 is offered. One can cancel for any reason. Although known for reasonable rates, evaluate recent customer claims regarding payment accuracy.

Aegis General Travel Insurance

It offers a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade on some annual plans and reasonable costs. See its limits on baggage loss coverage. Review recent consumer comments on company responsiveness and claim handling.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance

Advised for coverage solely for medical needs. They could be a good fit if your main worries are medical bills and evacuation rather than trip cancellation or baggage loss—part of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield system.

C&F Travel Insured

It is said to be a wise decision for families. They provide several programs for couples traveling together, usually with particular advantages for kids.

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Reputed for great value, particularly on cruises. Their cruise-specific insurance provides up to 100% trip cost refund for concealments. On some plans, cancel for any reason at will. Compare their medical coverage restrictions with those of other companies.

Trawick International Travel Insurance

Thought of being credible, with usually favorable client comments. Provides several options with different degrees of coverage and optional extras. Check Squaremouth for current average premium statistics and client experiences.

Important Considerations

Declare all pre-existing medical conditions you know of when you get insurance. While specifications vary, some policies cover the "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions. Purchasing insurance right before your vacation usually guarantees better coverage for pre-existing conditions.

While a GHIC/EHIC gives access to state-provided healthcare in France, it does not cover private treatment, repatriation, or non-medical matters. It also does not entirely rule out the necessity for travel insurance, particularly if one worries about missing items or trip delays.

Medjet Assist policies guarantee your return home should medical evacuation become required instead of transportation to the closest institution. This kind of policy would greatly enhance travel medical insurance.

Pay close attention to the deductible or excess you will be liable for before the insurance starts to pay. Lower deductibles usually result in higher premiums.

Policy Wording: Always read the fine print! Know what is covered—e.g., alcohol-related events and extreme sports without particular add-ons—and what is excluded. I also need to know the claim procedures and what is excluded.