Question 1

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

An international health insurance is highly recommended for any trip outside Germany — it costs only a few euros a year and protects against medical and hospital costs, which can quickly reach thousands abroad. Even within the EU, the statutory health insurance often only covers part of the costs, and medical repatriation is not covered at all. A trip cancellation insurance is also worthwhile for expensive trips or if you have pre-existing health conditions. Check before purchasing what insurance you may already have through your credit card.

Question 2

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

Accepted Answer

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses cancellation costs if you cannot start a booked trip for an important reason. Insured reasons typically include: unexpected serious illness, accident, pregnancy, death of a close relative, job loss, or significant property damage (e.g., house fire). Generally not covered are: lack of desire, professional scheduling conflicts, or minor illnesses. Pay attention to the exact conditions — some policies exclude pre-existing conditions or require a deductible. The insurance must be taken out no later than 14 days after booking or at the time of booking.

Question 3

Is credit card insurance sufficient for travel?

Accepted Answer

Many gold and platinum credit cards include travel insurance coverage, but the benefits vary widely. Often, conditions are attached, such as that the trip must be paid for with the credit card. The coverage amounts for medical treatments are often limited, and medical repatriation is not always included. The deductible can also be high. Read the insurance terms of your credit card carefully and compare them with a standalone travel insurance. For long-distance trips and extended stays, we recommend a separate international health insurance as a supplement.

Question 4

How much does good travel insurance cost?

Accepted Answer

An annual international health insurance costs for individuals from about 10–20 euros, for families from 25–40 euros per year — a very small amount for comprehensive protection. Trip cancellation insurance usually costs 3–5% of the travel price, so for a 2,000-euro trip, it would be 60–100 euros. There are also annual policies for frequent travelers that are cheaper if you take multiple trips a year. When comparing, pay attention to coverage amounts, deductibles, and excluded services. Stiftung Warentest and Finanztest regularly test travel insurances — checking current tests is worthwhile.

Question 5

When is international health insurance necessary?

Accepted Answer

International health insurance is advisable for any trip outside Germany — even within the EU. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers treatment costs in EU countries, but only according to the rules of the host country. This means: co-payments that are common in the destination country must be borne by you. The statutory health insurance does not cover medically necessary medical repatriation at all — just the return flight from Turkey can cost 15,000–30,000 euros. The insurance is particularly important for long-distance trips, active vacations, and trips with pre-existing conditions.

Question 6

What is covered in case of trip interruption?

Accepted Answer

Trip interruption insurance reimburses the costs for unused travel services if you have to end your vacation early. Insured reasons are similar to those for trip cancellation insurance: serious illness, accident, death of a relative, or natural disasters affecting property at home. Additionally, the extra costs for an early return trip are often covered. Some tariffs also pay out in case of natural disasters or political unrest in the holiday country. The insurance is especially useful for expensive long-distance trips and cruises, where an interruption can quickly mean several thousand euros in lost services.

Question 7

Are children covered in the travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

In family plans of international health insurance, children are usually covered at no extra cost — this typically applies to all children eligible for child benefits in the household. There are also family plans for trip cancellation insurance, where all traveling family members are insured. Make sure that the contract's exact definition of 'family' fits — blended families or adult children in education are not always automatically included. For separate bookings, each person should have their own policy. Compare individual and family plans, as the additional cost for children is often minimal.

Travel Insurance