France Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance for France

Welcome to France, where wine flows like poetry and cheese is an art form. This global hotspot has been seducing travelers for ages, and it's no wonder – from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the abundance of Michelin-starred restaurants and the art powerhouse that is the Louvre. Yet, before you embark on your French escapade, there's a vital detail to attend to: your travel insurance.

This guide clues you in on everything you need to know about travel insurance for France. When those inevitable travel hiccups come knocking, just give them a nonchalant "C'est la vie" and let your reliable travel insurance work its magic.

What should your travel insurance cover for a trip to France?
How does Travel Insurance for France work?
Do I need Travel Insurance for France?
How much does Travel Insurance cost for France?
Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan
What types of medical coverage does AXA Travel Protection plans offer?
Are There Any COVID-19 restrictions for Travelers to France?
Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions?

What should your travel insurance cover for a trip to France?

At a minimum, your travel insurance to France should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. When it comes to international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage. AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind.

Medical Coverage – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.
Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.
Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Coverage for Personal Belongings – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.
Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons. Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders.

In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase the best travel insurance for France.

GET YOUR FREE QUOTE

How does Travel Insurance for France work?

Imagine this: Say you're strolling through the streets of Montmartre, exploring local boutiques and art markets. Suddenly, you feel unwell. Those delightful pastries you tried may not have agreed with you, and suddenly, the allure of French cuisine loses its charm. AXA Travel Protection is your reliable ally in these unforeseen situations.

From guiding you to the nearest medical facility to helping you navigate unexpected medical expenses, we've got your back. Travel mishaps can happen even in the City of Light, but with AXA Travel Protection, you can turn any unexpected twist into a well-managed tour de force.
Here’s how travelers can benefit from an AXA Travel Protection Plan:

Medical Benefits:

Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation.
Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms.

Baggage Benefits:

Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries.
Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings.

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits:

Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury.
COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions.
Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations.

Post-Departure Travel Benefits

Trip Interruption: In case of an unexpected event, you could be eligible for reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip.
Missed Connection: If you miss a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, this coverage may help with expenses like rebooking fees and accommodations.

Additional Optional Travel Benefits:

Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft.
Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy.
Loss Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures.
Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures.

Do I need Travel Insurance for France?

Many travelers, depending on their nationality, are not required to secure travel insurance. However, there are scenarios where having travel insurance is required:

If you are applying for a short-stay visa to enter France: Travel insurance that covers the entire Schengen territory is required. Your French visa application may be rejected without one.
If your Schengen entry includes a country with travel insurance requirements: Some Schengen zone countries require travelers to show they have purchased travel insurance when they arrive at their entry point.

Why? There are several reasons:

Medical Emergencies: Your health is a top priority. If you face a sudden illness or injury in New York, travel insurance offers the means to receive prompt and quality medical care.
Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without your essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue.
Flight Delays: Travel disruptions like flight delays can happen. If you miss a connecting flight or incur additional expenses due to delays, travel insurance can help cover the costs.

How much does Travel Insurance cost for France?

In general, travel insurance costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans:

Total Trip cost: The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc.
Age: Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals.

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to France will be offered three tiers of insurance: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs.

Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan, each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that France hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.

The Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with the France’s experience. "Cancel for Any Reason" offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the "Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver)" offers assistance when you're out exploring France's stunning landscapes in a rental car.

In case of a serious medical emergency, “Emergancy Evacuation and Repatriation” is crucial. It provides provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation so you can receive the necessary medical care, especially if your condition requires specialized treatment. Finally, if you're skiing in the French Alp's world-renowned ski resorts, unpredictable factors such as adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen events can lead to the closure of ski slopes.

The Platinum Plan’s "Lost Skier Days" benefit may offer coverage against expenses tied to unusable pre-paid ski tickets. This may ensure that even if your skiing plans face unexpected disruptions, you don't have to bear the full burden.

What types of medical coverage do AXA Travel Protection plans offer?

AXA covers three types of medical expenses:

Emergency Medical
Emergency evacuation & repatriation
Non-medical emergency evacuation & repatriation

Emergency medical: Addresses unforeseen situations, including but not limited to broken bones, burns, sudden illnesses, and allergic reactions.
Emergency evacuation and repatriation: Can cover your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness.
Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation: Offers assistance in leaving a destination promptly due to non-medical-related events. These events may include occurrences such as natural disasters or civil unrest.

Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for travelers to France?

No. France has dropped all COVID-19 restrictions for travelers from the United States.

Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions?

Traveling with pre-existing medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip.

Our Gold and Platinum Plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
The Platinum plan, in particular, is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons.

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plan with a preexisting medical condition, so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60 day look back period. We're here to make sure you travel with ease, no matter your health situation.

FAQ

1. Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight?

You can buy travel insurance even after your flight is booked.

2. When should I buy Travel Insurance for France?

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.)
AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip.
Additionally, our policies offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14-days of making your initial trip deposit.

3. Do Americans need travel insurance in France?

No, travel insurance is not required for U.S. citizens traveling to France.

4. What is needed to visit France from the USA?

U.S. citizens visiting France for tourism or business and staying for 90 days or less do not need a visa. However, a passport valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area is required. Additionally, several documents such as proof of purpose of stay, evidence of sufficient funds, and onward/return ticket may be requested.

5. What happens if a tourist gets sick in France?

If you become sick in France, travelers with AXA Travel protection can contact the AXA Assistance hotline at 855-327-1442. Contact information is typically provided within the insurance documentation. Please ensure to read through your policy details and information.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions. AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.