Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Planning a Trip to Europe? Here’s the Best Travel Insurance in 2024

Jessica Merritt's image
Jessica Merritt
Jessica Merritt's image

Jessica Merritt

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

122 Published Articles 579 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4U.S. States Visited: 23

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
Edited by: Michael Y. Park
Michael Y. Park's image

Michael Y. Park

Senior Editor & Content Contributor

28 Published Articles 484 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 60+U.S. States Visited: 50

Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and que...
& Jestan Mendame
Jestan Mendame's image

Jestan Mendame

Compliance Associate

246 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 12U.S. States Visited: 3

Since 2016, he has embraced the life of a digital nomad, making the world his office. He has built a career in social media marketing and blogging for various travel brands, which is also his bread an...
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

You’ve got a lot to look forward to if you’re planning a trip to Europe, with its blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes. Though most of Europe has a well-developed infrastructure and is generally considered safe, the unexpected can happen anywhere you travel — and travel insurance can help you when you need it most. 

Unexpected travel disruptions, medical emergencies, and lost luggage can derail your plans. Travel insurance can help mitigate risks, giving you financial protection and peace of mind. Whether you need coverage for a medical emergency, canceled flight, or other unforeseen travel mishap, travel insurance can help you arrive prepared for anything.

When planning your European trip, it’s important to consider travel insurance to safeguard against unexpected disruptions, medical emergencies, or cancellations.

This guide explains everything you need to know about travel insurance for Europe, including why you should consider it, what you can expect to pay, typical coverage areas, and a glimpse of quotes for real travel insurance plans for European travel.

The 5 Best Travel Insurance Policies for Europe

Travel insurance for Europe can offer great value and protection for your trip. Policies typically cover trip cancellations, interruptions, and medical emergencies. What you pay depends on various factors, including your age, destination and other trip details, and desired coverage. 

To find the best travel insurance for Europe, compare policies that offer extensive medical coverage, trip cancellation packages, and emergency evacuation services.

We’ve reviewed several options for Europe travel insurance to give you an idea of the cost and coverage available.

Consider these travel insurance policies for a trip to Europe:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Europe Travel Plan

Best Use

Sample Cost

Tin Leg Gold

Young travelers

$52 for a 25-year-old

Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice

Seniors

$143 for a 65-year-old

Aegis Go Ready Choice

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)

$119.82 for a 45-year-old

Travelex Travel Select

Adventure tours

$93 for a 45-year-old

IMG iTravelInsured Travel SE

COVID-19 coverage

$79.53 for a 45-year-old

‌Best Europe Travel Insurance for Young Travelers: Tin Leg

Young travelers can expect low-cost travel insurance options, as insurance companies generally offer favorable rates to young adults. For a 2-week trip to France that costs $1,500, a 25-year-old can expect to pay $52 on a Tin Leg Gold travel insurance plan. With this policy, you get trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip costs, up to 150% in trip interruption coverage, and $500,000 in primary medical coverage. There’s also $500,000 in medical evacuation benefits.

‌Best Europe Travel Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners

Seniors generally pay more for travel insurance than younger travelers, but there’s still cost-effective coverage available, such as the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan. A 65-year-old visiting France for 2 weeks on a $1,500 trip can expect to pay $143 for this policy. It’s comprehensive, including up to 100% in trip cancellation coverage, 150% for trip interruption, $500,000 in primary medical coverage, and $1 million in medical evacuation and repatriation benefits.

Best Europe Travel Insurance for Cancel for Any Reason: Aegis Go Ready Choice

A Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policy can be helpful if you’re concerned you may need to cancel your trip for reasons not usually covered under the regular trip cancellation terms. For example, a regular trip cancellation policy covers illness, injury, death, major delays or cancellations, jury duty, and natural disasters. CFAR allows you to cancel for reasons beyond those, such as a breakup or deciding you don’t want to go anymore, and you can still get up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs back.

With the Aegis Go Ready Choice policy, a 45-year-old on a 2-week, $1,500 trip to France can expect to pay $119.82. In addition to the CFAR benefit, you get up to 100% of the trip cost in trip cancellation coverage, 150% for trip interruption, $500,000 in secondary medical coverage, and $500,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation.

Best Europe Travel Insurance for Adventure Tours: Travelex

If your European adventure plans include sports such as cross-country skiing or hiking, you might need a travel insurance policy with adventure sports coverage in case you get hurt. You can get an adventure sports exclusion waiver upgrade on a Travelex Travel Select plan, which offers coverage for sports and adventurous activities that might otherwise be excluded.

The plan also covers up to 100% of your trip cost in trip cancellation, 150% in trip interruption, $100,000 in primary medical, and $1 million in medical evacuation. The high limit on medical evacuation is particularly valuable if you’re planning remote adventures where you might need help getting to medical care. Our quote for this plan came to $93 for a 45-year-old visiting France for 2 weeks and planning to do cross-country skiing and hiking below 4,500 meters.

Best Europe Travel Insurance for COVID-19: IMG

Most travel insurance plans offer medical coverage that includes trip cancellation, interruption, or medical treatment for COVID-19. Still, it’s always a good idea to verify coverage if you’re concerned COVID-19 could derail your travel plans. The IMG iTravelInsured Travel SE plan offers up to $250,000 in primary medical insurance, which includes COVID-19, and $500,000 in medical evacuation benefits. If you need to cancel your trip for COVID-19 illness or other covered reasons, you can get up to 100% of your trip costs back and up to 150% for trip interruption. We were quoted $79.53 for this policy for a 45-year-old visiting France for 2 weeks.

Is Travel Insurance for Europe Worth It?

La Seine Paris
Travel insurance can offer protection in Paris and other European destinations. Image Credit: Stella Shon

Purchasing travel insurance can be a wise decision anywhere you travel — Europe or points beyond — if you have nonrefundable travel expenses at risk. It’s also valuable for covering potentially costly medical treatment. Travel insurance can offer valuable travel assistance if you’re unfamiliar with your destination and may have a language barrier.

Europe is a popular travel destination, and costs can add up, especially during peak seasons. You may have nonrefundable travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and tours. Travel insurance can be worth it if you want to protect those costs, as it can offer money back if you have to cancel your trip or go home early for a covered event such as illness, injury, or major travel disruptions.

Medical services in Europe are generally good and often relatively cheap for citizens. However, tourists should expect to pay out of pocket for medical treatment and not expect U.S. medical insurance to work overseas. 

Some medical visits may be inexpensive, but serious illnesses or major emergencies could be costly. A travel insurance plan can offer medical coverage — sometimes primary coverage that kicks in before any other insurance applies — that can cover the cost of treating medical emergencies while you’re in Europe.

Since European countries don’t extend health care benefits to tourists, purchasing health insurance for travel to Europe ensures that any medical costs are covered.

Travel assistance is another valuable aspect of travel insurance for Europe. If you’re unfamiliar with local resources such as health care providers or need help with documents such as your passport, you can get help from your travel insurance company’s travel assistance hotline. These hotlines can offer assistance for just about everything, whether you need translation services, emergency cash, or roadside assistance.

Europe Travel Insurance Costs

How much is travel insurance for Europe? Comprehensive Europe travel insurance will cost you about 5% to 10% of your total nonrefundable trip costs

For example, on a $1,500 trip, your travel insurance cost should range between $75 to $100, though your actual costs will vary depending on your age, destination, and trip duration, among other factors. 

With comprehensive travel insurance, you generally get coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, and 24/7 travel assistance.

Your costs for Europe travel insurance depend on factors including:

  • Trip cost
  • Trip duration
  • Your age
  • The destination
  • Coverage options, including optional add-ons
  • Optional deductibles
  • Coverage limits
Hot Tip:

Read our guide to average travel insurance costs to learn more about what you’d pay for travel insurance policies.

What Europe Travel Insurance Covers

Travel insurance coverage varies depending on the policy, but you can expect comprehensive travel insurance policies to generally offer most of the same coverage. However, you’ll see more variation in benefit amounts and deductibles, so it’s a good idea to compare quotes so you can see how much coverage you’re getting for your money.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies for Europe typically include:

  • Trip Cancellation: With trip cancellation coverage, you can get reimbursed for your nonrefundable travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason such as major illness or death.
  • Trip Interruption: Trip interruption coverage offers compensation — usually 150% of your nonrefundable trip costs — if you’ve started your trip but need to cut it short for a covered reason. 
  • Travel Delays and Missed Connections: Not all travel insurance policies offer these benefits, but you could get compensation if your travel is significantly delayed or your travel plans are interrupted by a missed connection.
  • Emergency Medical: Emergency medical coverage offers benefits if you need emergency medical treatment while traveling. You may find policies with primary coverage, which is used before any other coverage, but other policies have secondary coverage, which doesn’t come first and requires you to make a claim on other insurance policies that apply before you can use your benefit. Some travel insurance plans offer telemedicine, which allows you to consult a doctor virtually without needing to visit a hospital for minor health issues.
  • Emergency Evacuation: Travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation offers transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility if you’re experiencing a serious health issue. Your travel insurance benefits pay for the cost of care and transportation.
  • Rental Car Collision Waiver: A travel insurance policy with rental car coverage can protect you from damage to rental cars and cover requirements for car insurance for travel in Europe. You need to decline the rental car company’s coverage when you rent and use your travel insurance coverage instead.
  • Baggage Delay or Loss: If your bags are lost, stolen, delayed, or severely damaged, you may need to buy clothing, toiletries, and other items to replace what you’ve lost. You get reimbursement — up to covered amounts — for these expenses with travel insurance.
  • Travel Assistance Hotline: Travel insurance companies with travel assistance hotlines can help get you connected with necessities such as medical facilities or sending communications to your family on your behalf if you’re involved in an emergency.
  • Additional Benefits: Some of the additional benefits of travel insurance include coverage for missed excursions, concierge services, and political evacuation.

Types of Europe Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies typically offer much of the same general coverage, just at different levels and with different deductibles, but there are variations. Consider these types of travel insurance for Europe:

  • Comprehensive Travel Insurance: A comprehensive travel insurance policy gives you various coverage areas that are most important to travelers, including trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical, emergency evacuation, and travel assistance.
  • Cancel for Any Reason: A CFAR travel insurance policy allows you to cancel your travel plans and receive reimbursement — usually around 75% — for reasons that usually aren’t covered by trip cancellation coverage. This is usually an add-on to comprehensive travel insurance. If you’re uncertain about your plans, adding CFAR to your travel insurance for Europe allows for flexibility in case you decide to change or cancel your trip.
  • Emergency Medical: If you’re less concerned with trip cancellation, interruption, and travel assistance benefits than medical benefits, a travel insurance policy with emergency medical benefits only could offer savings and peace of mind.
  • Adventure Sports: If your European itinerary includes high-risk activities such as mountaineering or scuba diving, you can add adventure sports coverage to ensure your policy is adequate for these activities that are commonly excluded from standard travel insurance.
  • Single-Trip Travel Insurance: For travelers taking a one-time vacation, single-trip travel insurance for Europe is an affordable way to protect against disruptions.
  • Multiple-Trip or Annual Travel Insurance: An annual travel insurance plan covers multiple trips for a year, so you don’t have to purchase a separate policy each time.
Hot Tip:

For frequent travelers, it’s worth considering annual travel insurance. A multiple-trip policy may offer more cost-effective coverage for several trips than purchasing single-trip policies each time you travel.

How To Choose a Travel Insurance Policy for Europe

As you look for Europe travel insurance policies, you should compare multiple options to find the right fit. Consider various factors, including cost and coverage, to ensure that your travel insurance policies align with your needs.

  • Cost: Price may be your primary concern, which is fair. You should look closely at prices before you purchase a policy. However, be sure that the coverage matches the cost. For example, a low-cost policy might have minimal coverage and high deductibles, so you should be sure the savings are worth it.
  • Coverage: See what’s covered in each policy so you know how much you’re covered for, whether it’s trip cancellation or emergency medical treatment. 
  • Deductibles: A higher deductible could translate to a lower policy price, but you have to pay more before your benefits kick in. Be sure you can afford the deductible amount if you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy.
  • Limitations: Be clear about what is and isn’t covered, and compare limitations across various policies to see which offer better options than others.
  • Eligibility: Travel insurance policies may have eligibility restrictions such as age and destination. Find out if any of these restrictions apply to you before you purchase a policy.
  • Preexisting Conditions: Some travel insurance policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions. If you have a preexisting medical condition, look for travel insurance that includes this type of coverage, as not all policies automatically cover ongoing health issues. You may need to add on coverage for preexisting conditions, and travel insurance companies may have time-based requirements, such as purchasing your trip insurance policy within 2 weeks of making your first trip payment.
  • Claim Details: Understand what it takes to make a claim, such as how you can get emergency evacuation, how to reach travel assistance, and whether you need authorization before you get emergency medical coverage.
  • Customer Ratings and Reviews: A travel insurance policy might look good on paper but, in practice, does not give you the support you need. Read customer reviews to understand how well a travel insurance policy supports customers, including how easy it is to make a claim, how likely you’ll have a claim denied, and if there are any major customer service issues you might prefer to avoid.
Hot Tip:

Understanding the travel insurance claims process is essential for getting smooth reimbursement. Review the details before your trip, then keep all receipts and documentation in case you need to make a claim. You may be required to contact the travel insurance company before you use your benefits or get in touch promptly after an incident.

How To Get Travel Insurance for Europe

Reykjavik EDITION Hotel View
Purchase travel insurance well ahead of your European travels — ideally within 2 weeks of your first trip payment. Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton

Europe travel insurance is available through various channels. You can purchase travel insurance directly from travel insurance companies, compare multiple options on a travel insurance website, or take advantage of offers as you book your travel.

Travel insurance companies typically offer online quotes and allow you to purchase your policy online. You can compare your options, though you need to visit all the travel insurance company websites you’re interested in to get quotes. This is a good option if you’re loyal to a particular travel insurance company and don’t want to consider others.

A travel insurance comparison website such as Squaremouth can make it easy to compare multiple policies with filters and coverage levels. On sites like these, you input your travel information, including your age, destination, trip cost, and trip duration, to get matched with travel insurance policies that meet your needs. You can narrow down the results based on your preferences and set levels for coverage and deductibles. It’s also easy to look for policies with add-ons such as CFAR or adventure sports in a comparison engine.

Sometimes, travel insurance is an option when you book your travel. For example, you may see travel insurance as you purchase airfare or make a hotel reservation, particularly if you book with an online travel agency such as Expedia or Booking.com. These are usually from third-party travel insurance companies and may be the same policies you can find on a travel insurance comparison website or the individual websites of travel insurance companies.

Hot Tip:

Take the time to look carefully at your options for Europe travel insurance so you can find the right fit, but purchase your policy promptly after booking. You’ll get the best coverage if you buy travel insurance within 2 weeks of making your first trip payment.

Credit Card Travel Coverage

Many travel credit cards offer travel benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage delay benefits, and rental car collision damage waivers

For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® has primary car rental coverage of up to $75,000, trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $10,000 per person per trip, up to $2,500 for emergency medical or dental services, up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation benefits, and more. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
Cons
  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
Card Highlights
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Some of the travel insurance benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express include up to $75,000 in secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, up to $10,000 per trip in trip cancellation and interruption coverage, a 24/7 premium global assist hotline, and complimentary coverage of emergency services arranged through the hotline such as evacuation, transport, and assistance after an evacuation.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.¤
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

These benefits are complimentary for cardholders, though the cards may have an annual fee. The travel coverage from your credit card might be enough for your needs. That can save you money if you don’t need to purchase a travel insurance policy. Look closely at your travel insurance benefit coverage limits and deductibles, as these might not offer enough protection for your needs. You can supplement with a travel insurance policy if the benefits aren’t enough.

Final Thoughts

Travel insurance can offer a valuable safeguard for your European adventure, with coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and travel disruptions. A range of policies are available, so you can tailor coverage to your needs and ensure you’re protected well but not spending more than necessary. Whether you’re taking an adventurous tour or a relaxed vacation, you can enjoy your trip fully knowing that you’re covered in case of the unexpected.


For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is travel insurance required for Europe?

Travel insurance isn’t a requirement in Europe, though it’s highly recommended. You may prefer to get travel insurance if you have significant nonrefundable travel expenses or you’re worried you could need costly medical care while traveling.

A travel insurance policy is mandatory if you’re applying for a Schengen visa and must meet specific requirements. Note that American passport holders can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days without a visa.

How much does travel insurance to Europe cost?

Plan to pay about 5% to 10% of your total nonrefundable trip costs for a Europe travel insurance policy. For example, you’d pay $75 to $150 for a typical travel insurance policy if your trip costs were $1,500.

Does Europe have free health care for travelers?

No, Europe doesn’t have free health care for tourists or other short-term visitors. Many European countries offer universal health care to citizens and residents, but those benefits do not extend to travelers. If you’re visiting from outside of the European Union, you should expect to pay out of pocket for medical care if you need treatment while traveling in Europe. EU citizens traveling within the EU can get health care at a reduced cost or sometimes free. It’s highly recommended that you get travel health insurance for Europe if you don’t have coverage where you’re visiting.

What does trip cancellation insurance cover?

Trip cancellation insurance covers nonrefundable travel expenses if you cancel your trip for a covered reason. These typically include illness, death, severe weather, and other major unforeseen events.

Can you add extra coverage for adventure activities in Europe?

Yes, many travel insurance policies let you add coverage for adventure sports such as skiing, hiking, or scuba diving. This coverage can offer protection when you’re taking greater risks than the average tourist.

Jessica Merritt's image

About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status