When you go on a trip, you need to be well prepared, andtravel health insurance is part of that preparation. It’s an item that can represent quite a budget. Taking out health insurance for your trip is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. In the event of a medical emergency or accident, it will come in very handy. So you’re probably wondering how much it costs, and what cover is included in this type of contract. Each insurer offers these contracts at rates that can vary from simple to double. Differences in price can be explained by the guarantees provided, or by the geographical area you’re visiting.
How is travel insurance priced?
There are many different types of travel health insurance, with different coverages and options available. Generally speaking, prices are based on 3 main criteria: age, country of destination and country of departure:
- Age: Generally speaking, the younger you are, the less likely you are to fall ill, and therefore to incur significant healthcare costs. That’s why insurance contracts are partly determined by age. So you won’t pay the same price if you’re 25 or 60. Insurers define age brackets. The older you are, the higher the rate.
- Destination: As you know, health has a cost, and it’s often much higher abroad than in France. Indeed, you won’t pay the same price for a doctor’s consultation if you go to Russia or Algeria, for example. Fees also vary according to the health risks and costs of the country you’re visiting. If you’re going to a country in the Schengen area, you’ll have a specific contract for that geographical zone. Similarly, if you’re traveling to the USA or Canada, your contract will be specific to that zone, and your insurance premium will be higher there, since medical treatment in that region is very expensive.
- Country of departure: The country of departure can also have an impact on the cost of travel insurance. This variable is of particular interest to digital nomads, round-the-world travelers or simply expatriates wishing to go on vacation outside their current country of residence. Indeed, the country of departure may indicate the country to which you wish to be repatriated in the event of serious medical concern or death. Repatriation is more expensive for an insurance company when it has to take place outside the European Union.
- Duration: Most insurance companies offer formulas for less than 3 months and more than 3 months. It’s worth noting that the longer you’re away, the lower the daily cost of your travel insurance. It is also possible to find insurance for less than 3 months, for example for 2 weeks or 30 days.
Coverages and options
The price of your travel insurance will obviously depend on the cover included in your contract, the reimbursement ceilings and the options you have chosen. The cover included in contracts varies widely depending on the insurer and the range of your contract. It’s important to find out all you need to know beforehand, so you can choose the best insurance for the best price. Your contract should always include at least: hospitalization, repatriation, coverage of your medical expenses and civil liability (bodily injury and property damage).
Options will increase the final price of your contract, but will also improve your coverage. These options obviously depend on your needs during your trip. For example, you won’t have the same needs if you’re going to do extreme sports alone as if you’re going on safari with your family. The options on offer can be very diverse: baggage, cancellation or rescheduling of your plane ticket, higher compensation levels, etc.
Here are a few concrete examples of options:
- Cancellation option: this will cost you between 3% and 5% of the cost of your trip. It covers you in the event of cancellation for various reasons. This option is particularly costly, but it’s the one that allows you to be reimbursed most easily, without the need for a compelling reason or specific attestation.
- The loss and theft option: you can cover your valuables, such as your laptop. This can be very practical for freelancers who travel.
- The COVID-19 option: more and more insurers are covering COVID-19 costs, either as an option or as part of your policy cover. This type of policy covers vaccination, PCR tests and hospitalization costs.
What is the price range for travel insurance?
There are a large number of insurance companies offering travel insurance (Chapka, ACS, AVA, AssurTravel…), and prices vary widely. Some are more competitive than others, depending on the composition of your family or the part of the world you’re visiting.
Here are a few examples to give you a clearer idea. To get a clearer idea, don’t hesitate to compare offers on our website santexpat.fr. We compare over 250 different offers from 19 insurers. What’s more, if you have any specific questions, our experts are at your disposal.
Digital nomad, round-the-world and Working Holidays
Insurers tend to offer several solutions, the first of which is to insure you only in the country you’re visiting. The second is better suited to people wishing to travel around the world, or digital nomads, with a policy covering you worldwide. Please note, however, that your “round-the-world” insurance may be subject to exclusions, often in the USA and Canada, where medical treatment is extremely expensive. Some comparators now offer specific products for digital nomads.
If you’re planning to spend several months outside France on a PVT contract, you’ll need a special visa and compulsory health insurance. These are different from travel health insurance and cost between €400 and €750 for one year. Use the santexpat.fr comparator to find the travel health insurance best suited to your needs.
