Travel insurance covers unexpected medical costs, emergency repatriation and the various mishaps that can arise while abroad. In practice, not all policies are equal: the quality of cover depends on the destination, the traveller’s profile and the guarantees actually included. This is where Yupwego, a digital travel insurance broker, takes a different approach: by comparing and adapting offers from its partner insurers, it gives you access to precisely calibrated protection rather than an off-the-shelf policy.
Compare cover options for my tripWhy standard cover often falls short
The EHIC and bank cards: limited safety nets
Credit: 20090223027 by Waifer X, CC BY 2.0, via Openverse.
Many travellers assume they are fully covered thanks to a premium bank card or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). These options do exist, but they come with significant gaps.
The EHIC provides partial cover for healthcare within the European Union, based on local rates. It does not cover repatriation, nor the shortfall between local rates and the actual costs incurred at a private facility. Outside the EU, it does not apply at all.
Premium bank cards (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold…) offer benefits that vary by issuer, with limits that often fall well short of the real cost of serious hospitalisation. To be activated, they typically require the trip to have been paid for with that card, within a strict timeframe.
To understand exactly what each option covers, read our guide The differences between travel insurance and health insurance.
Policies too standardised for real travel needs
A weekend in Lisbon and a six-month round-the-world trip do not call for the same cover. Yet many insurers offer near-identical policies regardless of the traveller’s profile or destination. The result: guarantees you will never use on one hand, gaps where you actually need protection on the other, and a price that bears no relation to the real risk involved.
This problem is explored in detail in Travel insurance: why it’s often mis-sold (and how to choose well).
The real financial risks of travelling underinsured
This is not an abstract concern: the figures speak for themselves.
In 2025, the average cost of hospitalisation abroad exceeds €25,000 and can reach more than €60,000 depending on the destination. Some concrete examples:
- Appendicitis in the United States: between €40,000 and €60,000
- Fractured limb in Thailand or Indonesia: between €10,000 and €30,000
- International medical repatriation: between €30,000 and €150,000 depending on the distance and means required
- Emergency department visit (whatever the destination): frequently €3,000 to €5,000
These situations are unpredictable by definition. The article Travel insurance: the unexpected events that can derail everything covers the most common scenarios and what to do when they happen.
The Yupwego approach: cover tailored to every trip
A broker, not an insurer
Yupwego is a digital travel insurance broker. It does not create its own policies: it compares and distributes offers from its partner insurers (including AXA, Mutuaide and Groupama) to recommend the most suitable cover for each situation.
The process is straightforward: you enter your destination, the length of your stay and your profile. The service identifies the most relevant policy from those available. You can complete the whole application online in just a few minutes.
Pricing matched to your actual trip
Healthcare costs vary enormously from one country to another. A week in Spain carries a very different financial risk from a week in Japan or Canada. The policies available through Yupwego take into account local medical costs when calibrating cover and pricing, rather than applying a flat rate regardless of destination.
For long-term travel plans
For a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), a study abroad programme or an extended multi-country trip, standard policies are often ill-suited or difficult to renew. Policies designed for these profiles offer continuous cover for the full duration of your stay, across multiple countries in succession if needed, with relevant guarantees included: legal assistance, activities cover and seamless protection at every border crossing.
For more on this specific case: How to get insured for a round-the-world trip?
How to choose based on your traveller profile
There is no universal policy. The smart move is to match your cover to the reality of your trip rather than defaulting to a standard option.
Short trips (weekends and holidays)
For a stay lasting a few days to a few weeks, the key points to check are: the medical expense limit (adjusted for your destination), 24/7 repatriation assistance, and cancellation cover if flights or accommodation were booked in advance.
Long stays or temporary expatriation
For students, Working Holiday Visa holders or travellers away for several months, the priority is cover that holds up over time, across multiple countries if necessary. Limits must be calibrated for the destinations on your itinerary, especially if it includes the United States, Canada or Australia, where medical costs are among the highest in the world.
Specific activities and particular profiles
Practising high-risk sports, having a pre-existing medical condition, or travelling very frequently may require additional guarantees. In all cases, the exclusion clauses in any policy are worth reading carefully before signing up, given the specifics of your situation.
What really matters when you need it most
Taking out a policy is one thing. Knowing how to activate it at the right moment is another.
A few habits to adopt before and during your trip:
- Write down your assistance contact details somewhere other than your phone. If your device is stolen or stops working, you will need to reach your insurer immediately without relying on it.
- Keep all medical paperwork from the very first consultation: prescriptions, invoices, medical certificates. These are essential for any reimbursement claim.
- Report the incident as quickly as possible. Most policies set a deadline, often 5 to 10 days for non-emergency incidents: after that, the payout may be reduced or refused depending on the policy terms.
- If you are hospitalised, contact your assistance team before choosing a facility where possible: some policies include direct billing arrangements with partner hospitals, meaning no upfront payment is required.
The most useful cover is the kind you understand before you leave, not after.
FAQ
Is travel insurance compulsory?
No, it is not legally required for most destinations. However, some countries ask for proof of health insurance as part of the visa application process, notably for the Schengen Area or certain countries in South-East Asia. For travellers heading outside the European Union, it is strongly recommended given the cost of medical care abroad.
What does travel insurance cover?
Depending on the policy, travel insurance can cover medical and hospital expenses abroad, emergency repatriation, trip cancellation or curtailment, lost or stolen baggage, civil liability and legal assistance. Limits and exclusions vary between policies: it is essential to read them before signing up.
What is the difference between travel insurance and my bank card?
Premium bank cards do include travel benefits, but their limits are generally lower and their activation conditions more restrictive (the trip must be paid for with that card, with strict reporting deadlines). A dedicated travel insurance policy offers higher limits and clearer cover, especially for destinations where medical costs are high, such as the United States or Japan.
How much does travel insurance cost?
The price depends on your destination, trip length and the level of cover chosen. For a short stay in Europe, expect to pay roughly €10 to €25 per week. For a trip outside Europe, between €25 and €60 per week. For the United States or Canada, rates are higher given local medical costs, according to specialist comparison sites.
Do I need travel insurance for a trip to Europe?
The EHIC provides partial cover within the EU, but it does not cover repatriation or treatment at private facilities. For destinations outside the EU such as Switzerland or the United Kingdom, or for any trip where private hospitalisation is a possibility, a dedicated travel insurance policy is recommended even for a short stay.
Why compare policies rather than going with the first one you find?
The differences in price and cover between policies can be significant for the same profile and destination. A policy that seems cheap at purchase can prove inadequate when you make a claim, particularly regarding medical limits or activity exclusions. Comparing through a broker like Yupwego lets you identify the most relevant option without having to contact multiple insurers separately.
