Choosing travel insurance seems straightforward enough. You search, compare a few prices, pick something that looks reasonable, and move on. In most cases, nothing goes wrong — so you never find out whether you chose well.
The problem only surfaces when something does go wrong. And by then, it’s too late to fix it.
The Most Common Mistakes
These aren’t hypothetical scenarios. They’re the traps travellers fall into every year:
- Shopping on price, not on cover. The cheapest option often comes with the lowest coverage limits and the most significant exclusions. What looks like a saving can turn into a serious financial exposure the moment you need to make a claim.
- Not reading the exclusions. Exclusions for pre-existing conditions, specific activities, or certain destinations can leave you completely unprotected in situations you assumed were covered. The time to find out is before you travel, not after an incident.
- Underestimating the destination. Healthcare costs vary enormously between countries. A policy that provides adequate cover in Europe may be wholly insufficient in the United States, Canada, or Japan — where a single hospital stay can run into tens of thousands.
- Leaving it to the last minute. Rushed decisions rarely lead to the right choice. Buying at the airport or the night before departure leaves no time to read the terms carefully or compare what’s actually on offer.
What to Check Before You Commit
Beyond comparing prices, there are four areas worth examining closely before signing anything:
- Coverage limits. It’s not enough for a benefit to exist — it needs to be high enough to be meaningful for your destination. A low medical limit is close to useless if you’re travelling to the US.
- Ask specifically: what isn’t covered? The answer matters as much as what is. Most misunderstandings at claims time come down to exclusions that weren’t read at purchase.
- Provider network. The quality of hospitals and healthcare providers your insurer works with directly affects your experience in an emergency. A strong network means faster, smoother access to care.
- Claims handling and response time. In a crisis, you need a real person to pick up the phone. Slow response, complicated processes, or poor communication can turn a manageable situation into a nightmare.
One Step Further: Knowing What to Do When You Need It
Choosing the right policy is only half the job. The other half is knowing how to use it when something goes wrong. We cover that step by step in ” What to Do If You Get Sick While Travelling“
If you travel frequently or spend extended periods abroad, ” Travel Insurance for Expats and Digital Nomads“ is also worth reading — your needs are different from those of a typical holidaymaker, and the right approach reflects that.
✈ At a Glance
- Price is one factor — but coverage limits and exclusions matter just as much.
- Always read the exclusions, especially around pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities.
- Your destination should determine the level of cover you need, not the other way around.
- Check the provider network and claims response quality — both are critical in an emergency.
- Don’t decide in a rush. Take the time to compare properly, and seek guidance if you need it.
FAQ
How much medical cover should I have for travel to the US? A minimum of €500,000 to €1,000,000 is recommended for the US and Canada, where hospital costs are exceptionally high. A single GP visit can run into thousands of euros.
Can I buy travel insurance after my trip has already started? In most cases, no — or at least not with full coverage. Insurance must be purchased before departure to cover cancellation and any issues that arise en route.
How do I check whether an insurer has a strong network of partners at my destination? Ask directly which hospitals or medical facilities they work with in your destination country. If you receive vague answers, that is a warning sign.
Is the insurance that comes with my credit card sufficient? Usually not. Credit card cover typically comes with low limits, many exclusions, and limited medical protection. It is worth reviewing the terms carefully before relying on it.
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