Travel insurance fills the gaps in your standard cover the moment you leave home: French social security pays little or nothing abroad, the European Health Insurance Card is worthless outside Europe, and medical bills can easily run into tens of thousands of euros. Taking out a policy before you go is the only way to avoid a bill you simply cannot pay on your own.
What your standard cover does not do abroad
The EHIC: handy in Europe, useless everywhere else
Credit: Atr-72 aircraft at Pakse airport Laos by shankar s., CC BY 2.0, via Openverse.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to urgent and unplanned medical care in EU countries, the EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It covers treatment at local rates in public hospitals. What it does not cover: private clinics and medical repatriation, even within Europe.
Step outside that zone and the EHIC is worthless. It does not apply in the United States, Canada, Morocco or anywhere in Asia.
Outside Europe: pay upfront and hope for a partial refund
French social security (CPAM) can, on your return, consider reimbursing emergency treatment received outside the EU/EEA. But this is not automatic: it is subject to a medical officer’s assessment and calculated on fixed French domestic rates, which bear no relation to what a hospital in America or Thailand will have charged you. In practice, you pay everything upfront and recover only a fraction.
The real figures nobody likes to mention
Travellers almost always underestimate how expensive medical care is abroad. In 2025, the average cost of a hospital admission overseas exceeds €25,000 and can top €60,000 depending on the destination and severity of the condition.
A few verified benchmarks:
- Accident and emergency visit: €3,000 to €5,000 in many countries
- One day in hospital in the United States: €2,500 to €10,000
- Appendectomy in the United States: €40,000 to €60,000
- Fracture in South-East Asia: €10,000 to €30,000
- Medical repatriation: €15,000 to €80,000 depending on the distance and type of medical transport
These figures assume you have immediate access to the cash or a high enough credit card limit, which is rarely the case. For a detailed look at how a common situation can quickly spiral into a financial crisis, our article on the real cost of an accident abroad walks through concrete scenarios.
Get my travel insurance quoteThe misconceptions that cost people dearly
“My bank card covers me”
Some premium bank cards do include travel assistance guarantees. But the limits, activation conditions and exclusions vary widely depending on the card issuer and tier. Most require you to have paid for the trip with that card, cap coverage at a maximum duration (often 90 days) and exclude long-stay trips, working holidays or employment abroad. Check your card’s terms and conditions before relying on it.
“Accidents only happen to other people”
Severe food poisoning, appendicitis, a fracture from a fall: these things happen regardless of how careful you are. Travel insurance does not change your behaviour; it changes what happens when something goes wrong anyway.
“It’s expensive and a hassle to arrange”
Travel insurance can be taken out online in a few minutes. In 2026, expect to pay between €20 and €80 for two weeks in Europe, and between €50 and €180 for the United States. Set against the amounts at stake if you end up in hospital, it is one of the best cost-to-protection ratios you will find.
How your needs change depending on your trip
Short tourist break
For a two-week holiday, the key factors are: medical expense limits (at least €150,000 outside Europe, and €500,000 recommended for the United States or Canada), repatriation cover, and exclusions related to the activities you plan to do (water sports, motorbike riding, high-altitude trekking, and so on).
Studies and internships abroad
A student or trainee can find themselves with no cover at all if their stay exceeds the period funded by French social security, or if they are travelling to a country with no bilateral healthcare agreement with France. Dedicated international health insurance is often required to obtain a visa or to enrol at the host institution. Our guide on how to prepare successfully for a trip abroad lists the documents and steps to sort out before you leave.
Working holiday visas and long-term stays
Working holiday visas (WHV) and stays of several months require cover that lasts long enough, includes occasional paid work, and provides 24/7 assistance. Several countries require proof of insurance when applying for a working holiday visa.
The critical points to check in any policy
Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. Before you buy, look closely at:
- Cover limits: a ceiling of €50,000 is not enough for the United States or Canada.
- Waiting periods: some policies only take effect after 24 to 48 hours.
- Exclusions: high-risk sports, pre-existing conditions and being under the influence of alcohol often appear in the small print.
- Payment arrangements: some policies require you to pay upfront and claim back later; others settle directly with the healthcare provider.
- Phone assistance: is it available around the clock, in your language, from abroad?
For a closer look at these contractual details, the article the illusion that travel is straightforward makes a useful companion read.
FAQ
Is travel insurance compulsory?
It is not universally required, but some countries demand it for a visa: the Schengen area for certain nationalities, Canada for the working holiday visa, Cuba, and many other destinations. Regardless of any legal requirement, it is strongly recommended whenever you leave home, given the real cost of healthcare abroad.
Does my French health card (Carte Vitale) cover me abroad?
In Europe (EU, EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), the European Health Insurance Card gives you access to urgent treatment at local rates in public facilities. It does not cover private clinics or repatriation. Outside Europe, reimbursement by French social security is not guaranteed and is calculated on fixed domestic rates with no relation to actual foreign hospital bills.
What does travel insurance actually cover?
Cover varies between policies. A standard plan typically includes medical and hospital expenses abroad, medical repatriation and 24/7 assistance. Optional extras may cover trip cancellation, lost or delayed baggage, personal liability or adventure sports. Always read the limits and general conditions before buying.
How much does travel insurance cost?
In 2026, expect to pay between €20 and €80 for two weeks in Europe, and between €50 and €180 for the United States. The premium depends on your destination, the length of your stay, your age and the level of cover you choose.
When should I take out travel insurance?
If you want cancellation cover, take out your policy as soon as you book. For medical and repatriation cover alone, you can wait until the day before departure. Do not leave it to the last minute if you are heading somewhere known for high medical costs.
