Travel insurance policies range from bare-bones €15 plans to comprehensive €80+ policies. The cheap plans look attractive until something goes wrong. Here's what you actually get at each level and when to upgrade.
Comparison Table
Provider
Price
Medical Coverage
Trip Cancellation
Baggage Protection
Emergency Evacuation
Peace of Mind
Basic Travel Insurance
★★★★★
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
★★☆☆☆
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
★★★☆☆
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★☆
★★★★★
★★★★★
ℹ️ Good to Know
Scores are based on our hands-on testing, user reviews, and price monitoring across multiple European countries.
1. Basic Travel Insurance
Pros
Cheap — €10-25 for a European trip
Covers the absolute basics: emergency medical treatment and some trip cancellation
Better than no insurance at all
Adequate for very short trips (1-3 days) with low-cost, refundable bookings
Cons
Low medical limits (€50,000-100,000) — a serious accident or illness can exceed this
High excess/deductible (€200-500) makes small claims pointless
Trip cancellation only covers narrow reasons (illness, death) not 'change of plans'
Emergency evacuation and repatriation often excluded or severely limited
For trips with significant non-refundable costs (€500+ in flights and hotels), comprehensive insurance is essential — the €50-80 premium protects thousands in potential losses. For cheap weekend breaks with refundable bookings, basic coverage provides adequate medical protection. The rule of thumb: if your trip costs more than 10x the insurance premium, buy comprehensive. A €2,000 trip deserves €80 in comprehensive cover. A €150 weekend break? Basic or even credit card coverage is fine.
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BTS
BestTravelScout Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches and tests travel products hands-on, comparing prices and policies across dozens of providers to bring you honest, data-backed recommendations.