Travel insurance can be a very important accompaniment to your trip, especially when you’re traveling throughout multiple countries. Europe is a prime example of this, where the border-free Schengen zone allows you to traverse multiple countries without passing passport control. Finding Schengen visa travel insurance isn’t always simple, however, and you’ll want to ensure that you have coverage regardless of your location.
Let’s take a look at Schengen travel insurance and five easy tips for making sure you’re good to go — no matter where you travel within the region.
1. Decide which type of insurance you’d like
Although there aren’t generally any Schengen visa travel insurance requirements, there are multiple types of travel insurance coverage available depending on your needs. Consider carefully the type of coverage you’re looking for. Common types includes:
Note that the U.K. left the Schengen zone a few years ago, so you’ll want to double-check whether coverage in the U.K. is valid for your travel insurance policy.
It’s always in your best interest to get multiple quotes before purchasing insurance. The amount you’ll pay will be heavily dependent on the type of coverage you receive, its length and any deductibles that you may have.
There are plenty of different websites that’ll allow you to compare different insurance plans such as TravelInsurance.com or SquareMouth.com (a NerdWallet partner), which will gather together multiple quotes in one easy search.
There are several details you’ll need to have on hand when looking for quotes. These include:
The total cost of your trip.
When you booked your trip.
Once you’ve got all your information gathered together, it’s simple to find a policy that fits your need for travel insurance in the Schengen zone on one of the comparison websites.
3. Use this as an opportunity to maximize credit card bonus points
If you’re planning a vacation to Europe, hopefully you’ve already acquired a travel credit card or two. However, cards that focus on travel rewards won’t necessarily optimize insurance purchases.
In this case, you’ll want to double down on rewards with a card that’ll maximize everyday spend. These cards will give you bonus points on all purchases, no matter their category. Great options for this include:
While you likely won’t be earning a ton of points for your travel insurance purchase (unless your costs are exorbitantly high), maximizing your earnings is always a good idea. Don’t leave money on the table.
4. Double-check the policy before purchasing
Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. This is probably no great revelation, but it’s definitely something of which you’ll want to be aware.
This is especially pertinent when it comes to the current travel climate in the COVID-19 era. While you may purchase a health insurance plan that covers most medical costs, it may specifically exclude those incurred by COVID-19. And even if it does reimburse you for any hospital costs, it may not pay for a forced quarantine in the event of illness.
These are things you’ll want to check for when buying travel insurance for any trip. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your policy carefully, and if there’s very specific coverage you’re looking for (such as that offering protection in the event you catch COVID-19), you can often use search filters to narrow down your options.
5. Consider using a credit card that provides trip insurance instead of buying a new policy
One great feature of travel credit cards is the complimentary trip insurance they often provide. In order for your trip to be eligible for coverage, you’ll need to use the card to pay for your trip. In exchange, however, you can receive some pretty powerful benefits without needing to pay out of pocket.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card, for example, provides primary rental car insurance. This means that when you decline the insurance offered at the counter, your entire rental will be covered against collision up to the actual value of the rental car.
What’s most powerful about this feature is that, as primary, it comes before your own personal insurance — possibly saving you expensive premium jumps and claims on your policy.
If you’re looking to buy travel insurance for a Schengen visa
It makes sense to purchase travel insurance in many circumstances, especially with the uncertainty in today’s travel world. Take advantage of these five tips to make sure you’re properly prepared for your trip — whether you’re heading to France, Finland or any of the over two dozen Schengen countries.
To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page.To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan
Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
How to maximize your rewards
Source link : https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/travel-insurance-schengen-visa-tips
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Publish date : 2024-06-13 11:09:04
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