What travel insurance covers and how to get a payout in an insured event
A trip abroad can cost more than the ticket. One day in a clinic abroad sometimes equals the budget of an entire vacation. German consulates do not reimburse such expenses (Auswärtiges Amt, as of 01.09.2023).
EU residents do not need a visa to travel within Schengen, and a policy is not formally required there. For a Schengen visa it is mandatory, for example for your guests from countries with a visa regime (Schengen visa rules, as of 09/2026). The EHIC card helps in the EU, but it does not pay for returning home or private clinics (Your Europe, as of 09/2026).
Below: what types of policies exist, what basic insurance does not cover, and how to get a payout.
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Where to get a policy and what it covers
💡 In short:
- A basic policy covers emergency care and is required for a Schengen visa.
- Active recreation, trip cancellation, and baggage are insured under separate policies.
- Policy terms and visa requirements: 09/2026, verified on the official Auswärtiges Amt website.
You can get a policy from an insurance company, a bank, or online through a broker. The only difference is the price and terms. A medical policy usually pays for emergency care and injury treatment, but with exclusions.
Visa policy requirements are strict. Coverage is at least 30,000 €. The insurance is valid in all Schengen countries and covers the entire duration of the trip (Auswärtiges Amt requirements, as of 09/2026). Check the dates: one missed day makes the policy invalid.
Within the EU, you can rely on the EHIC card. It gives access to public healthcare under the same conditions as local residents (European Commission page on EHIC, as of 09/2026). But EHIC does not pay for repatriation or private clinics. That is why an additional policy is needed even in Europe.
What basic insurance does not cover
A basic policy is not unlimited. It usually does not apply in these cases:
- flare-ups of chronic conditions;
- dentistry, except relief of acute pain;
- pregnancy complications;
- treatment of mental disorders;
- injuries during active and extreme sports.
Planned treatment and follow-up doctor visits are paid out of pocket. Cosmetic procedures, plastic surgery, and preventive vaccinations are also excluded. If an incident occurs under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances, there is no right to a payout.
Need coverage for a specific risk? Get an add-on. For example, a separate clause for a chronic condition flare-up or for medical repatriation. Not all policies include repatriation payment in case of death, so clarify this in advance.
How to activate a policy and get a payout
If you get sick or injured abroad, call the insurer immediately. The contact details are printed in the policy itself. The line operates around the clock.
Keep all receipts: from taxi rides to bandages. You will present them to the insurer upon return. Without documents, reimbursement is not paid.
A separate note on the deductible. The deductible is the amount you pay yourself, for example 50 €. Everything above that is covered by the insurance company.
AIIllustrative image: AI-generatedThere are two payment options. First: the insurer transfers money to the clinic through its representative, and you do not spend a cent. Second: you pay yourself and then receive reimbursement. Find out which option applies to you by calling the number in the policy in advance.
Buy a policy before the trip, not at the airport. Compare insurance terms on EKTA in advance so you do not overpay for unnecessary options.
What types of insurance exist
Basic medical insurance covers emergency care abroad. This is the policy almost all travelers choose and is required for most visas. In addition, there are extended options: for active sports, trip cancellation, baggage, housing, and even tour operator bankruptcy.
Comparing policy types is easier in a table.
Policy type | What it covers | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
Basic medical | Emergency care, injuries, relief of acute tooth pain | All tourists, mandatory for a visa |
For active recreation | Injuries from skiing, diving, paragliding, ziplining | Sports and extreme activity enthusiasts |
Trip cancellation | Tour cost in case of force majeure | Those who bought an expensive tour |
Baggage | Loss and damage of belongings | Flights with connections and large suitcases |
Housing | Theft, flooding, fire in the apartment | Homeowners on a long trip |
Tour operator bankruptcy | Cost of the package | Purchases from tour operators |
Basic medical insurance
What is included in a basic policy:
- consultations and treatment in a hospital;
- medications and medical supplies;
- relief of acute tooth pain.
The policy pays only for urgent and emergency care. There are policies that not only pay for treatment but also provide monetary compensation for health damage. Such options are less common and cost more.
Active recreation insurance
Active recreation adds risks. Example: a person climbs a rock, cannot get down on their own, and a rescue helicopter has to be called. The bill for such a rescue can easily exceed the budget of the entire trip if the policy is not extended.
If you are going to a ski resort, pay extra for active recreation insurance. Motorbikes, jet skis, paragliding, and ziplining also require separate coverage. Basic insurance usually excludes such injuries.
Not sure whether your sport counts as extreme? Ask the insurer before the trip and request written confirmation.
Trip cancellation insurance
A package tour may be rescheduled, an embassy sometimes shifts the visa application date, and disasters happen too. If you are insured against trip cancellation or rescheduling, the money for it will be compensated.
A payout is only given in case of force majeure. Changed your mind about going? Then you will get back only part of the amount or nothing.
Notify the insurer about the trip cancellation within 24 hours. If you are in the hospital, inform the company and bring the certificate later. An official document is required in any case.
Baggage insurance
Baggage gets lost often, and the reasons vary. If your belongings are lost or damaged, you receive compensation under the policy.
Airlines are also responsible for baggage. Under the Montreal Convention, the liability limit is 1,519 SDR per passenger, about $2,175 (as of 2026, US Department of Transportation). This amount is not always enough, so an additional policy makes sense.
You can insure baggage for the entire trip or just for one flight. Some insurers even issue a policy for loss due to your own carelessness.
Housing insurance during a trip
An option for anxious people. If your apartment is burglarized, flooded, or damaged by fire while you are away, the insurance will cover the damage. But it is more sensible to insure housing permanently, not just during vacation.
Tour operator bankruptcy insurance
A rare and expensive type of insurance that nonetheless exists. It became especially widespread during and after the pandemic. If the tour operator goes bankrupt and the trip does not happen, the insurer will reimburse the cost of the package. In the EU, package tours are legally protected against tour operator bankruptcy. In Germany, this is confirmed by the Sicherungsschein document. Ask your tour operator for it when buying a package tour.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Is insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes, a short-stay visa requires a medical policy with coverage of at least 30,000 €. It is valid in all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the trip (according to Auswärtiges Amt, 09/2026). Without a policy, the application will not be accepted.
What does basic insurance not pay for?
Flare-ups of chronic conditions, planned treatment, dentistry (except relief of acute pain), vaccinations, and cosmetic procedures. Injuries from extreme sports are also usually excluded. These risks are covered only by additional policies. Check the terms in the contract before the trip.
Can I get by with just the EHIC card?
The EHIC card gives access to public healthcare in the EU under the conditions of local residents (according to the European Commission, 09/2026). But it does not pay for returning home, private clinics, or rescue operations. Outside the EU, the card does not work at all. For full protection, you need a separate policy.
How do I get a payout in an insured event?
Call the insurer immediately and keep all receipts, including taxis. There are two paths: the company pays the clinic directly, or you pay yourself and then receive reimbursement. Find out which option applies to you by calling the number in the policy before the trip.
What happens if the incident occurred while intoxicated?
The insurance will not apply. Alcohol and prohibited substances at the time of the incident are considered gross negligence, and the company will refuse to pay. The same applies to safety rule violations. So check the contract terms in advance and do not take risks.
In short: what is worth booking
Basic medical insurance covers emergency care and is mandatory for a visa. Add everything else based on your trip scenario.
- If you are going for extreme activities or skiing: an extended active recreation policy.
- If you bought an expensive tour: trip cancellation insurance.
- If you are flying with connections and a large suitcase: baggage insurance.
- For full protection in the EU: EHIC card plus a private repatriation policy.
Compare policy terms on EKTA before buying a ticket, not at the airport.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.