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

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 France? 
4. How much does Travel Insurance cost for France? 
5. Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan
6. What types of medical coverage does AXA Travel Protection plans offer?
7. Are There Any COVID-19 restrictions for Travelers to France?
8. Traveling with pre-existing Medical Conditions? 

What Should Your Travel Insurance Cover for a Trip 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.  

• Medical Coverage – The priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to medical coverage and quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies. 

• Trip Cancellation & Interruptions – Unexpected trip interruptions can dampen the mood., AXA Travel Insurance offers coverage against unforeseen events.   

• Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Insurance offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.  

• Coverage for Personal Belongings – AXA Travel Insurance offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.  

• Optional Cancel for Any Reason – For added flexibility, AXA Travel Insurance offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons. This feature is E exclusive to AXA Platinum Plan holders.  

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

​How Does Travel Insurance for France Work?

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 Insurance 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 Insurance, you can turn any unexpected twist into a well-managed tour de force. Here’s how travelers can benefit from AXA Travel Protection Plans:  

Medical 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 faces 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. 

Additional Travel Benefits  

• Lost Skier Days: Exclusive to Platinum policyholders, the lost ski days 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. 

• Lost Golf Days: Exclusive to AXA Platinum Plan policyholders, the lost golf days 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.  

Optional Travel Benefits  

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

• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum 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: AXA Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum 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 – the AXA Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Plan, each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that French hospitals often do not accept US health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely suggest travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.   

The AXA Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage aligned with 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, “Emergency 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 Alps' world-renowned ski resorts, unpredictable factors such as adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen events can lead to the closure of ski slopes. 
 
The AXA Platinum Plan’s "Lost Ski 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 burden. 

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.

Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers Visiting France? 

As of now, international tourists traveling abroad to France do not face active COVID-19 entry restrictions, but visa requirements still apply for many foreign visitors. Those applying for a Schengen visa must meet France travel insurance requirements, including coverage for emergency services and medical costs linked to a covered reason, such as an unexpected illness.  

Travel documents must provide proof of this coverage, ensuring travelers are prepared for possible disruptions like severe weather or health-related issues during travel. 
 

Traveling With Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Traveling 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 Gold and Platinum Plans offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The AXA 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 AXA 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 what your destination is. 

FAQs About Travel Insurance France  

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

You can get a travel insurance policy even after your flight is booked. 

2. When should I buy a Travel Protection Plan for visiting France? 

It's advisable to purchase a travel protection plan 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. 

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

US 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 an 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 Insurance can contact the AXA Assistance hotline at 855-327-1442. Contact information is typically provided within the travel insurance documentation. Please ensure to read through your policy details and information.