Comprehensive Travel Insurance for France
France travel insurance covers you to travel to France at any age, even if you have pre-existing medical conditions. This type of insurance covers you for medical emergencies while abroad, which is vital to prevent unexpected medical bills and unnecessary complications that could arise when you’re away.
In terms of the Coronavirus pandemic, France is not currently on the FCO green corridor list (as of 2nd September 2020) but all the amazing sights, sounds and tastes will be there for you to experience when the restrictions are lifted.
Whether you plan a romantic trip to Paris, tasting some of the best bubbly the world has to offer in the Champagne region, soaking up the sun in the French Riviera, or watching the iconic 24-hours of Le Mans endurance race in person, you will want to make sure you have the best travel insurance to cover any potential problems that may occur.
Most importantly, you want to know that you will be covered for medical emergencies, including those relating to Covid-19 and your medical conditions, as well as other holiday mishaps such as lost luggage and delayed flights.
AllClear travel insurance provides cover of up to £15million for emergency medical treatment, cover for any personal belongings which may get lost or stolen during your trip, and unexpected cancellations of your trip.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for France?
Travel insurance in France is essential so that you can rest easy throughout your trip knowing that anything that happens, you are covered. While EHIC (European Health Insurance Cards) are still valid for UK residents in Europe until December 2020, they usually only cover emergency medical treatment. This means that if you need to be moved off of a mountain when skiing, you might need to pay thousands just to be taken to hospital, and an air ambulance can cost a lot.
If you’re heading to the French Alps for a bit of skiing – specialist winter sports cover is recommended to cover things like piste closure, lost ski passes, extra protection for equipment and cover for hired equipment should yours be damaged or lost.
A good travel insurance policy for France will include:
High levels of cover for medical bills in case you need treatment while travelling and for repatriation should you need to be returned to the UK as a result of a medical problem.
Cancellation and curtailment cover in case an emergency prevents you from going on holiday or means you have to cut it short.
Cover for your baggage and possessions if they are lost, damaged or stolen while you are travelling.
What does an EHIC Card Cover?
EHIC cards cover different things in different countries, and you will need to visit the EHIC website to see what is covered in the country you are travelling in.
With France, you are granted emergency healthcare. Without an EHIC card, you will be expected to pay for your healthcare in full. Due to this being just emergency cover, we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance, so that you have complete cover for any medical issues you face when abroad. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, you will also not be covered.
The current agreement between the EU and the UK only lasts until December 2020. If you are planning on travelling to France from January 2021 onwards, we advise you look at our Brexit Travel Insurance for more information on what cover you should get.
Benefits of an AllClear Policy
- Cancellation and Curtailment covered up to £25,000, including for Covid-19
- Up to £15 million emergency medical expenses cover, including for Covid-19
- Up to 30 days FREE extended cover (if due to unexpected circumstances beyond your control)
- Up to £2,000, if medically necessary, for a friend or relative to travel from your home area to stay with you if you fall ill with Covid-19 (costs for room and to accompany you home)
- Repatriation costs, when medically necessary, to bring you back to the UK where it is deemed to be in your best interests
- Following recovery from Coronavirus, costs for a continued recuperation stay, when medically necessary and under doctors advice
- Costs for your return flight following your enforced stay due to Coronavirus
- Personal Belongings covered up to £3,000
- All conditions. All ages.
Will you be covered if you’re travelling during the pandemic?
There are three things to check so that you can make sure you're covered:
- You must be fit to travel
- The FCO must NOT have advised against travel to your destination
- You must follow the local government advice for your destination, checking and following their guidelines and entry requirements
You can then be covered for emergency medical expenses or cancellation relating to COVID-19, when you have travel insurance with enhanced Coronavirus cover. If you’re an existing policyholder, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions if your trip is affected by Covid-19.
56% of those surveyed in the AllClear Annual Survey 2020 think Europe will be safe to visit within 12 months.
Get Online Quotes in 3 Simple Steps
1. Call us or click a quote button on our site
Once you are ready to start the quote process, the first step is to provide your personal details and information about your holiday plans.2. Complete our simple medical screening process
You then declare the medical conditions for you (and any other travellers) and answer the specifically designed medical questions.3. Get your quotes
You will then get your quotes and can either proceed to buy, or save your quote, at this stage.Tips When Travelling to France
Healthcare
French healthcare standards are very high and provided on the same terms as French nationals if you have an EHIC. That said, it’s important to remember the treatment may not be free at the point of service. Should the UK leave the EU without a Brexit deal, it is likely that Britons will not be able to use the EHIC, making travel insurance an even more important purchase.
If you need to top-up any prescribed drugs you need a prescription from a local doctor. To make this a little easier, make sure you carry a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s note to explain why you are taking any medicines.
Visas
If you’re a British citizen with a valid passport, you won’t need a visa to travel to France if your trip is for less than 3 months.
Money
The currency is the Euro and cards are widely accepted. Tipping isn’t expected but much appreciated if you’ve received really good service.
Driving
If you plan to drive in France you’ll need to carry your full UK driving licence, passport, V5C (registration document) and your insurance documents.
You will also need to buy a GB sticker, spare bulbs, a traffic triangle, breathalyser tests, snow chains, headlight deflector stickers and reflective jackets – you can get kits with all these items included online or if you forget, they’re available on ferries and petrol stations near the ports.
If the UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal, you may also be required to carry an International Driving Permit, available from most Post Offices, and a motor insurance green card which you’ll need to get from your insurer.
Language
While English is widely spoken as a second language in big cities, it isn’t commonly used in rural areas. It’s always a good idea to learn some phrases and use as much French as you can.
Why More Than 3 Million People Have Chosen AllClear
We’re experts in medical travel insurance since the year 2000 and 97% of customers rate us as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’.
“I found AllClear Insurance excellent”
Friendly, helpful, efficient, travel & Medical insurance dealt with immediately at an acceptable price – though it was only for 4 days in France! I would use this company again.
Heather Davie – TrustPilot
Read AllClear Trustpilot Reviews
We hope you found our guide to travel insurance for France helpful and enjoy your next trip!
Frequently Asked Questions About France Travel Insurance
When does the cover begin?
Full benefits begin on the travel dates you have selected. However, if you have chosen cancellation cover to be included, this cover begins as soon as you buy your policy. For this reason, it’s important to buy your travel insurance as early as possible – or as soon as you have your trip booked. You can book a single trip policy up to 12 months in advance of your holiday.
What is the age limit on France Travel Insurance Policy?
We’re pleased to say our AllClear Gold and Gold Plus policies have no age limits. During your quote, you’ll only be shown quotes which can cover your age category
Do you need a single trip travel insurance if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
If you have an EHIC (which used to be called the E111), you get medical treatment at the same price as the residents within EU countries you’re visiting. This often means either free or reduced costs. However, the EHIC does not cover you for all eventualities, and so you also need comprehensive travel insurance. For example, if you’re taken to a private clinic in a private ambulance, you won’t be covered. The EHIC also doesn’t cover the cost of repatriation if you need to be flown back to the UK following an accident on holiday.
What’s the maximum trip length on a single trip travel insurance policy?
Allowed trip lengths vary between policies, however, the maximum you can get for a single trip quote online is for up to 92 days. Find out more about maximum trip durations here: How long you can travel for.
Is it best to buy a single or an annual multi-trip policy?
Whether buying a single or annual multi-trip policy is best for you, it depends on how often you intend to travel during the next 12 months. If you are going on holiday multiple times throughout the year, an annual policy could work out better value for you.
With an annual multi-trip policy you can travel as many times as you like throughout the period of your insurance. There are, however, limits on the number of days you can be away for any one trip; which for some providers also depends upon your age.
What is your ‘Before you Buy’ checklist?
Check the baggage cover limits. Check the personal property cover offered and specifically cover limits for cash. If you are taking part in winter sports make sure you have paid the additional premium to ensure you are covered. Check the cancellation cover is sufficient to cover the cost of your holiday. Remember you may also be required to pay an excess in the event of you having to cancel your trip and make a claim.
