Do I Need to Get Travel Insurance for France From the US?

I live in France and travel frequently, and have conducted extensive research on French travel insurance. But to answer your question, should I get travel insurance for France? YES. Although it isn’t a requirement to enter the country, you’d be mad to travel without it.

It’s about peace of mind and knowing you’re 100% covered if something should happen.

And what I find is that if you have it, you usually don’t need to use it, but if you don’t have it, that’s when you need it. 

So the question you should really be asking is: What’s the best travel insurance for France?

What is the Best Travel Insurance for France?

After spending several hours researching the different options, I now use only one company, SafetyWing. 

They offer the best and most comprehensive travel insurance for Americans visiting France.

Why Do You Need Travel Insurance for France

You must have heard the phrase ‘the best-laid plans,‘ which is particularly apt when discussing travel insurance.

Because sometimes the best-laid plans can and do go wrong, even in beautiful cities like Paris.

I recall a trip I took not so long ago, flying from Bordeaux to Nice. It was a nice, quick trip, so it should have been easy.

But it wasn’t because my luggage got lost.

I stood waiting at the carousel watching everyone grab their suitcases, and mine didn’t appear.

I had that horrible sinking feeling standing, wondering where my suitcase was and, more importantly, what I was going to do without my luggage.

All I can say is thank goodness for SafetyWing and my travel insurance policy.

But lost luggage isn’t the only reason you need travel insurance.

You just have to think about COVID to know that flights can and do get cancelled, and without travel insurance, it can be hard to get your money back.

Then there are flight delays, which can cause you to miss connecting flights. 

And what about car rental insurance? If you have a traffic accident and aren’t fully covered, you could be liable for some BIG out-of-pocket expenses.

But even more importantly, what happens if you get sick?

A basic consultation with the doctor is reasonable at only €25, BUT emergency treatment, hospitalization, etc., can run into thousands of dollars. 

And you can’t write an IOU, I’m afraid. You’ll be expected to pay for any treatment or hospital stays before you leave France.

That’s where a good travel insurance policy comes into its own, as it gives you peace of mind.

No. 2 – Credit Card Travel Insurance

A lot of the big credit card companies offer travel insurance as part of your card, and it can be a good option for shorter domestic trips.

However, always check the small print, as you’ll often find that the cover is quite limited, especially when it comes to medical coverage.

The last thing you want is to discover that you aren’t covered for hospital stays, emergencies, or medical care. Nobody wants that when they’re away from home and find themselves in need of medical attention.

No. 3 – European Health Insurance Card (EHIC Card)

As a US citizen, you won’t qualify for an EHIC card. And for those that do, which includes all EAA countries and Switzerland, you are only covered for a percentage of your medical costs.

The card itself is free, and you can register online for one, but it is not a travel insurance policy. It provides you with access to the same healthcare coverage you receive in your own country. This means that the coverage you get will differ from country to country.

In France, 70% of our medical expenses are covered by our Carte Vitale, and top-up insurance covers the rest.

How Much is Travel Insurance for France?

If you’re travelling as a family, you can cover up to two children between the ages of 14 days and 10 years old completely free. The only caveat to this is that the policy allows only two children per family.

These figures are based on a standard two-week cover period

Travel insurance pricing by age brackets

• 0-39 years old $24.15 for 15 days
• 40-49 years old $39.60 for 15 days
• 50-59 years old $62.10 for 15 days
• 60-69 years old $84.30 for 15 days

Plus, as I mentioned, you can start your policy at any time during your travel. Although I’d recommend getting your policy in place before you go on your trip, to ensure you’re covered for flights and luggage.

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What Travel Insurance is Needed for France?

Peace of mind is important when you’re travelling. Let’s look at 7 ways travel insurance can save money and protect you if things go wrong.

No. 2 – Delays and interruptions during your trip

Sometimes, the unexpected happens. You might need to delay your trip if you become ill or if you need to go home because of the death of a family member.

Bad weather might mean your flights are delayed or cancelled. These things can and do happen and are often beyond our control.

Trip or interruption cover comes in handy here and will cover you for similar things to trip cancellation.

No. 3 – Lost or delayed luggage or baggage

Remember the story of my lost luggage in Nice? Without travel insurance, I would have had to pay to replace all the items in my luggage. Things like my hair straighteners and some fairly expensive makeup.

There are often maximum amounts applied, so remember to check how much you’re covered for and what is covered, and always read the small print.

And if you expect to be doing a lot of shopping, make sure your new purchases are covered for your return trip.

No. 4 – Medical emergencies and illness

Nobody wants to get sick on their travels or have accidents, but sometimes things happen. 

You could be doing a cycle tour around the vineyards in Bordeaux and fall off your bike. Or you could end up like me with a mouth full of ulcers.

Either way, you’d want to be fully covered for all medical expenses. 

Unfortunately, if you’re traveling from the US, your private health insurance policy won’t cover you in most cases, and neither does Medicare. You can obtain a Medigap policy, but it’s limited and will not cover everything.

Also, check for pre-existing conditions to make sure they are covered, along with emergency dental care.

No. 5 – Medical evacuation and repatriation

Most travel policies will include ‘medical evacuation’, which covers the cost of transporting you to a medical facility.

However, the insurance company chooses the facility, not you. What if you need specialized treatment that requires being flown to a specific location? 

This is where repatriation cover comes in. It isn’t always covered as standard, so again, read the small print and check exactly what you’re getting.

No. 6 – Rental car insurance

You will be covered for basic insurance when you rent a car from the people you’re hiring from. BUT, they will always try to sell you an expensive insurance policy when you get to the desk to pick up your car.

Often, your travel insurance policy will include car rental coverage or offer an option to add it, which won’t include the large waiver quoted by the rental company.

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No. 7 – Repatriation of your remains

I know it’s not a cheerful thing to think about, but if the worst happened, I’m sure you’d want your remains shipped home to your family.

Not to mention it will cost to keep you in France, too.

To avoid the costs, which can run into thousands of dollars, ensure your travel insurance policy includes this coverage. You’ll usually find it with emergency medical inclusions.

Travel Insurance for France from the US FAQs

If you’re planning a trip to France from the US, these are some questions I often get asked by my American friends.