Travel Insurance: Compare Coverage, Prices & Find the Best Policy

The “best” travel insurance is the one that truly matches your destination, age, trip duration and activities. A policy suitable for the United States will not have the same limits as a stay in Europe.

On HelloSafe, you can compare dozens of policies in seconds based on your criteria (medical limit, deductible, exclusions, sports, senior, long stay…). The ranking highlights the coverage-to-price ratio, not advertising. This is the most reliable way to find protection that genuinely fits your needs.

The most effective solution is to use an independent comparison platform.

HelloSafe compares multiple insurers in real time and clearly displays:

• medical coverage limits,
• major exclusions,
• deductibles,
• available options (sports, senior, cancellation…).

Millions of travellers use comparison tools to avoid paying too much for insufficient coverage. Be careful: the “cheapest” policy is often the one with the lowest medical limit or numerous exclusions. Always compare coverage before price.

No, in most cases credit cards have significant limitations.

Medical limits are often too low for high-cost destinations (USA, Canada, Japan). Duration is limited (often a maximum of 90 days). Activation depends on paying for the trip with the card. Sports, pre-existing conditions and certain activities are frequently excluded.

A credit card may complement coverage but does not replace dedicated travel health insurance.

For medical and repatriation coverage, subscription is generally possible until the departure date.

For cancellation, many insurers impose a short subscription window after booking. On HelloSafe, some contracts allow cancellation coverage even after booking, under specific conditions. This is an important differentiating factor to check when comparing.

Pre-existing conditions are often excluded if they are not stabilised or not declared.

Each contract precisely defines “medical stability” (for example, no treatment change in the X months before departure). On HelloSafe, you can compare policies offering enhanced conditions for travellers with medical history.

Exclusions are the primary cause of reimbursement refusal.

You should check:

• high-risk sports and activities,
• scooter or motorcycle use,
• travel to high-risk zones,
• pre-existing conditions,
• pregnancy-related limitations,
• alcohol or drug-related exclusions.

Comparing exclusions is just as important as comparing medical coverage limits.

A deductible is the portion that remains at your expense in the event of a claim.

It may be:

• fixed (e.g. €50 per claim),
• proportional (e.g. 10% of the amount),
• or specific to certain benefits (baggage, dental, etc.).

A low-priced policy may include high deductibles. On HelloSafe, deductibles are displayed to allow transparent comparison.

It depends on the policy. Some contracts explicitly exclude declared pandemics or epidemics, while others cover emergency medical expenses even in case of infectious disease. You must check the specific exclusions in the general conditions.

It is particularly relevant if the trip cost is high or non-refundable. On average, it costs between 3% and 6% of the total trip price. It becomes strategic for long-haul travel, cruises or non-changeable tickets.

Yes. It becomes cost-effective from two to three trips per year. However, pay attention to the maximum duration covered per trip (often 30, 60 or 90 days).

No. Two policies at the same price may have very different medical coverage limits. The level of coverage, exclusions and deductibles are far more important than the displayed price.

No. It facilitates access to public healthcare in Europe but does not cover repatriation, private care or rescue costs.

The EHIC is not travel insurance. It only provides coverage for medically necessary treatment in the public healthcare system of the visited country, according to local rules.

Yes for medical and repatriation coverage. For cancellation coverage, subscription must generally occur at booking or shortly after purchase, except for specific contracts available via comparison platforms.

So-called “high-risk” sports are often excluded by default (off-piste skiing, diving, motor sports). A specific extension is required.

On HelloSafe, you can filter policies that include high-risk sports, specific activities or intensive practice.