We admit, we asked ourselves a lot whether it was necessary to get insurance before leaving for New Zealand... But after talking with our parents, the verdict was clear: we can't go without it!
Yes, it's an extra cost to plan for, but you never know what might happen once you're there. An accident (big or small) can happen so quickly, and it's much more reassuring to be protected no matter what.
The answer is pretty obvious: to be covered in case of an unexpected event, whether minor or major (and we’re not talking about age here, but about "severity").
Indeed, travel insurance isn’t just there to cover "serious" accidents and hospitalizations. It will also be there to cover more "ordinary" situations, such as if during your trip you need to visit a doctor for an allergy, stomach pain, headaches, or something else.
And besides, accidents can happen so quickly that it's no joke, especially when you're traveling abroad.
First of all, the language barrier can be an initial problem. With insurance, you'll generally have a French-speaking contact to talk to, who can guide you through the steps to take on-site, depending on your situation.
Secondly, you should know that medical costs abroad can quickly become very expensive (this is when you realize how fortunate we are in France). With your insurance, a significant portion of the medical expenses will be covered.
For example, a simple consultation with a general practitioner in Italy costs €150, and in New Zealand, it costs 80 NZD (almost €50), compared to €25 in France (covered by Social Security and the mutual insurance).
And if the accident is really serious, typically, the medical care and repatriation to France are covered.
So, even though no one wants to have an accident on vacation, and we often overlook the possibility of any such event, it’s important not to rule it out. It’s not about being pessimistic or inviting bad luck, but simply being prudent and planning your trip with safety in mind.
Thus, getting insurance remains the best option!
Many insurance companies and comparison websites exist. Online, we have access to so many offers that it’s not always easy to know which one to choose.
These tools are somewhat like flight comparison sites... They are useful for comparing prices and finding the offer that suits you best, but that's about it. We really don’t recommend using these sites to purchase your insurance. It’s better to go directly through the chosen insurer (for better guarantees and customer service).
It’s not necessarily the first organization that comes to mind when thinking about insurance, yet for our first major trip (New Zealand), to avoid mistakes, we turned to Thomas Cook (the travel agency that also sold us the plane tickets). Yes, some might say that we could have found cheaper options elsewhere if we had made some effort to search... But that’s clearly not the choice we made, and we don’t regret it. We opted for security, speed, and peace of mind. It’s just another choice.
The travel agency then advised and sold us the "Assistance Santé Jeunes à l’Étranger" insurance, provided by Mondial Assistance on behalf of AWP P&C. We paid €378 for the two of us, for 7 months of coverage.
During our more recent travels, we contacted our insurer (MAIF) to learn about the coverage conditions of our policy abroad. Since the contracts we already had suited us (covering us throughout Europe), we didn’t look any further and did not purchase any new insurance. For those interested, it’s the PRAXIS Solutions contract.
Moreover, don’t forget that if you have a credit card, you likely have insurance coverage with it. It’s also worth contacting your bank advisor to learn more about the coverage and conditions of this existing insurance. Very often, for short trips, this insurance is sufficient.
It’s useful to know and remember. It might save you from paying for additional insurance.
The right insurance depends on your trip and your needs: where you're going, how long you'll be away, what you’ll be doing and visiting, etc.
For example, if you’re going on a month-long trek in the desert, sleeping in a tent or under the stars, you’ll definitely need more comprehensive insurance than if you’re spending a week lounging in an all-inclusive hotel in the Canary Islands. We’re exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea. Finding the right insurance will depend on your travel plans. However, there are conditions and coverage details you should check closely.
In your insurance policy, you must carefully review the "personal assistance" section. This specifically refers to coverage for illnesses or bodily accidents that might occur during your trip.
It is advisable to have the following coverage:
You may also encounter more specific coverage, such as:
These types of coverage can be included in your policy or offered as add-ons. It’s up to you to inquire and determine if you need them.
If you travel with a lot of equipment (photography, video, hiking, diving, research, etc.), also check the coverage for your gear:
Regarding the processing time, the longest part of this step is getting thoroughly familiar with the contract, its coverage, and your rights. Even though it can be time-consuming and tedious, it is essential to take the time to read the contract carefully to avoid any surprises about what it covers.
Once you have selected and paid for the type of policy, all the documents that might be useful to you (certificate of coverage, contract, insurance certificate, contact number, etc.) will be provided to you immediately, and you will be insured.
In summary, having insurance is a necessity. However, among the multitude of companies and services available, it's important to take the time to review all the details. If you’re overwhelmed by the number of offers online, consider turning to professionals: your current insurer, travel agencies that can provide good advice, or your bank.
1. Before subscribing to any insurance, make sure to review and examine the contracts and coverage you already have to avoid paying twice for the same thing.
2. Before you leave, remember to take your insurance and assistance certificate with you. Also, keep your insurance contract in a safe and accessible place so you can easily consult it in case of an issue. Make sure to print and securely store both the physical and digital copies to have access during your trip.
How about we chat?