Travel insurance for France helps protect you against unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, travel delays, and baggage issues while you're abroad. Whether you're planning a vacation in Paris, a ski trip in the French Alps, or a multi-city tour across France, the right travel protection plan can help you manage unexpected costs and, for some travelers, meet Schengen visa insurance requirements.

This guide explains what travel insurance for France covers, how much it costs, when it's required, and how to choose the right level of coverage for your trip.

Key takeaways

• Travel insurance for France can help cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, travel delays, lost baggage, and emergency medical evacuation.
• Some travelers must purchase Schengen-compliant travel insurance before entering France.
• The cost of travel insurance typically depends on your age, trip cost, destination, and selected coverage.
• Comparing medical benefits, cancellation coverage, and optional upgrades can help you choose the right plan for your trip.

1. What Should Your Travel Insurance Cover for a Trip to France?
2. How Does Travel Insurance for France work?
3. Do I Need Travel Insurance for Visiting France?
4. How Much Does a Travel Protection Plan Cost for France?
5. Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan
6. What Types of Medical Coverage Do AXA Travel Protection Plans Offer?
7. Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers to Visit France?
8. Traveling WIth Pre-existing Medical Conditions?

What Should Your Travel Insurance Plan Cover for a Travel to France?

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 essential coverages in mind.

In a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase a suitable travel insurance policy for visiting France.

​How Does France Travel Insurance Work?

Travel insurance for France works by reimbursing eligible expenses when a covered event disrupts your trip. Depending on your plan, this may include emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, travel delays, lost baggage, or emergency medical evacuation. AXA's 24/7 Assistance team can also help you locate appropriate medical care and coordinate emergency services when needed.

Imagine you're exploring Montmartre or wandering through one of Paris' open-air markets when you suddenly feel unwell. Instead of trying to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system on your own, you can contact AXA's Assistance team, who can help you find a local doctor, clinic, or hospital and explain the next steps. If your situation is more serious, your plan may also help cover emergency medical treatment or arrange evacuation when medically necessary.

From unexpected illnesses to delayed baggage or disrupted travel plans, travel insurance helps reduce the financial impact of covered events so you can focus on enjoying your trip.

Medical Insurance Benefits

• Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your travel protection plan may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctors' fees.

• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation. Emergency medical evacuation may be necessary during a family emergency or in case of civil unrest, or natural disasters.

• Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover non-emergency evacuation or repatriation services, 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 due to the luggage delay provision.

• Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss of or stolen 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 opt for a trip cancellation due to a covered reason such as sudden illness or injury.

• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: 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 you face a trip delay due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations.

Post-Departure Travel Benefits

• Trip Interruption: In case you need to cut short your trip, you could be eligible for reimbursement under trip interruption coverage for the unused portion of your trip.

• Missed Connection: If you miss a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, missed connection coverage may help with expenses like rebooking fees and accommodations.

Optional Travel Benefits

• Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver): Exclusive to Explorer Select & Explorer Elite policyholders, this optional benefit gives travelers a rental car collision damage waiver against damage and theft.

• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Explorer Select & Explorer Elite policyholders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Visiting 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 a Travel Protection Plan Cost for France?

AXA Travel Insurance can provide coverage for potential medical expenses, flight cancellations, and unexpected expenses. In general, travel protection plans cost about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel protection plan depends on two factors:

• Total Trip cost: The total non-refundable cost you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc. The average trip cost plays a key role in determining the price of your travel protection plan.

• 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 policy unattainable for older individuals.

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to France will be offered four tiers of travel insurance: Explorer Select, Standard, OnTrip & Elite Travel Protection plan. Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individuals' preferences and travel needs. The average traveler visiting major cities or the French Riviera benefits gets the same benefits in every region.

Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plans

AXA presents travelers with four travel plans, each offering a different level of insurance plan coverage to suit your trip. Given that French hospitals often do not accept US health insurance or Medicare, we highly recommended travelers consider medical insurance through one of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.

Explorer Select and Elite are your go-to choose a plan options if you want extra flexibility aligned with France's experience. "Cancel for Any Reason" covers unexpected twists in your travel plans, and Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver)" offers assistance when you're exploring France's stunning landscapes in a rental car.

In case of a serious medical emergency, "Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation" is crucial, whether that means specialized treatment in a Paris hospital or transport out of a remote stretch of the French Alps. If you're skiing in the Alps' world-renowned resorts, unpredictable factors like adverse weather can lead to slope closures, which is where Trip Interruption coverage becomes relevant, reimbursing you for the unused, prepaid portion of your ski trip.

What Types of Medical Coverage do AXA Travel Protection Plans Offer?

AXA Travel Insurance can help you access quality medical services while in France in the event of an emergency. We covers three two types of medical expenses:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation & repatriation

Emergency medical expenses: 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.

Traveling With Pre-existing Medical Conditions

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

Our AXA Explorer Select and Elite Plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The AXA Explorer Elite 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 AXA Explorer Select and Elite Travel Protection Plans 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 what your destination is.

Frequently asked questions About Travel Insurance for France

1. Can you get a travel insurance policy after booking a flight?

Yes, you can get a travel insurance plan even after your flight is booked, and it's still worth it while planning your trip, since hospitals in France often require upfront payment before treatment. Whether you're planning your trip to cities like Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille or elsewhere, the right coverage can still protect you against travel expenses you didn't see coming.

2. When should I buy a travel insurance to visit France?

It's advisable to purchase a global health 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?

Travel insurance is not required for US citizens traveling to France. 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 an onward/return ticket may be requested.

4. Is France a safe destination for travelers?

Yes, France is generally considered a safe travel destination, and the vast majority of visits go smoothly. Like any major destination, it has its risks: pickpocketing in crowded areas of big cities in France, occasional strikes affecting trains or flights, and periodic protests that can disrupt travel plans without posing a direct threat to tourists. Travel insurance can't prevent these situations, but it can soften the financial impact, whether that's trip cancellation and interruption coverage if a strike derails your plans, or medical care in France if you get sick or hurt, including while skiing in the Alps.

5. How does healthcare in France work for tourists?

If you become sick in France, call AXA's 24/7 Assistance hotline at 855-327-1441 as soon as it's safe to do so. The assistance team will help you find appropriate healthcare in France, whether that means a local doctor, a clinic, or hospital care, and can coordinate treatment or evacuation if your condition requires it. Keep your policy documents and receipts, since you may need them later to file a claim for reimbursement.

6. Do I need a Schengen visa to visit France?

Most US citizens don't need a Schengen visa for tourists visiting France, since a valid passport allows 90 days without a visa across the Schengen countries. If you're not visa-exempt, you'll need to secure travel authorization and show proof of Schengen travel insurance meeting the minimum coverage requirement before you're allowed to enter. Either way, given how much france has to offer, and that you may still need to pay for services at hospitals or clinics, comprehensive coverage remains worth considering for any european travel.