Travel Insurance – How to Choose and What to Watch Out For
A comprehensive guide to travel insurance. Medical costs abroad, EHIC, personal accident, luggage, liability – what a good travel policy should include.
10 min czytaniaTravel Insurance – How to Choose and What to Watch Out For
A skiing accident in Italy, food poisoning in Thailand, a sprained ankle on a Greek island – any of these situations could cost you tens of thousands of złoty if you don't have travel insurance. The EHIC card isn't enough. In this guide, we explain how to choose a policy that actually protects you.
Why Is Travel Insurance Essential?
Medical Costs Abroad – Real Examples
- USA: ER visit – $3,000–5,000. Broken leg surgery – $30,000–80,000. Medical transport to Poland – $50,000–150,000
- Japan: hospitalisation – $5,000–15,000/day
- Switzerland: doctor's visit – CHF 300–500. Hospitalisation – CHF 2,000–5,000/day
- Thailand: private visit – $50–200. Surgery – $5,000–20,000
- Egypt: medical evacuation – $20,000–50,000
Without insurance, you pay out of pocket. And no, Poland's NFZ won't help – even with an EHIC card.
EHIC – What Does It Really Cover?
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not travel insurance. EHIC:
- Works only in EU/EEA countries and Switzerland
- Covers treatment on the same terms as citizens of the given country
- Does not cover medical transport back to Poland
- Does not cover treatment in private facilities
- Does not cover mountain search and rescue costs
- Does not cover co-payments required in the given country
In many EU countries patients pay substantial co-payments – for example, in France 20% of hospitalisation costs. EHIC is the bare minimum, not full protection.
What Should a Good Travel Policy Include?
1. Medical Costs (KL) – The Most Important Element
This is the foundation of any policy. Recommended sums:
| Destination | Minimum Medical Sum |
|---|---|
| Europe | €50,000 |
| USA, Canada, Japan, Australia | $200,000–500,000 |
| Asia, Africa, South America | €100,000 |
| Worldwide | €200,000 |
Look for a policy that covers:
- Doctor visits and hospitalisation
- Diagnostic tests
- Prescribed medication
- Emergency dental treatment
- Medical transport to hospital
- Repatriation to home country – crucial!
2. Personal Accident Insurance (NNW)
A lump-sum payment in case of permanent disability or death resulting from an accident. Standard sums: PLN 10,000–50,000.
3. Luggage and Personal Belongings
Covers theft, damage, or loss of luggage. Typical sums: PLN 1,500–5,000. Watch for per-item sub-limits (often PLN 500–1,000).
4. Civil Liability (OC)
Covers damage caused to third parties – e.g. a broken vase in a hotel or damaging someone else's equipment on a ski slope. Standard sum: PLN 50,000–200,000.
5. Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Reimburses costs if you must cancel your trip (illness, accident, death of a close relative) or return early. The sum usually matches travel costs.
6. Flight/Luggage Delay
Covers essential purchases when luggage is delayed (e.g. PLN 200–500 after 6–12 hours) and accommodation/meal costs for flight delays.
7. Legal Assistance
Covers legal help abroad – bail, lawyer, interpreter. Particularly useful outside the EU.
Sports and Activities – A Key Extension
A standard policy does not cover sports deemed risky. If you plan to:
Winter sports (skiing, snowboarding) – require an extension. Extra cost: 20–50%.
Scuba diving – requires a separate extension. Check the depth limit (usually up to 30–40 m).
High-altitude trekking – above 2,500–3,000 m requires an extension. Above 5,000–6,000 m – a specialist policy.
Motor, aerial, and extreme sports – require separate, significantly more expensive extensions.
Manual work abroad – a standard tourist policy does NOT cover workplace accidents. You need a policy for posted workers.
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
Cost depends on destination, duration, scope, and age:
Sample Prices (2026, Single Person)
| Trip | Basic | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| Europe, 7 days | PLN 20–50 | PLN 50–120 |
| Europe, 14 days (with skiing) | PLN 50–100 | PLN 100–250 |
| USA, 14 days | PLN 80–200 | PLN 200–500 |
| Asia, 21 days | PLN 60–150 | PLN 150–400 |
| Worldwide, 30 days | PLN 100–250 | PLN 250–600 |
| Annual policy (Europe) | PLN 150–400 | PLN 400–800 |
| Annual policy (worldwide) | PLN 300–800 | PLN 800–1,500 |
Annual Policy – For Frequent Travellers
If you travel more than 2–3 times per year, an annual policy pays off. It covers an unlimited number of trips, usually with a per-trip limit (30–60 days).
How to Choose a Travel Policy
Step 1: Assess Your Risk
- Where are you going? (medical costs in the USA vs Croatia are worlds apart)
- What will you be doing? (beach vs skiing vs trekking)
- How long? (a week vs a month)
- Do you have any chronic conditions?
Step 2: Compare Offers
Use comparison sites: Rankomat, Ubezpieczenia Online, Mubi. Compare scope, not just price.
Step 3: Read the Exclusions
The most common traps:
- Alcohol – an incident while under the influence = no payout
- Chronic conditions – flare-ups of pre-existing conditions may not be covered
- Sports – without an extension, a skiing injury won't be covered
- Pregnancy – after week 32, most policies exclude complications
- COVID-19 – check whether the policy covers treatment and quarantine costs
- Countries under MFA travel advisory – the policy may not apply if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travel
Step 4: Check the Claims Procedure
- Does the insurer have a 24/7 emergency centre?
- Can you communicate in English (or Polish)?
- Do you have to pay upfront and request reimbursement, or does the insurer pay the provider directly?
- What is the deadline for filing a claim?
Insurance via Credit Card
Many premium credit cards (Visa Gold, Mastercard World) include travel insurance. But beware:
- Sums may be low (medical costs €10,000–50,000)
- Scope is limited
- Condition: the trip must be paid for with the card
- No winter/extreme sports coverage
- Claims handling can be problematic
A credit card is a supplement, not a replacement for a dedicated policy.
Chronic Conditions and Travel Insurance
If you have a chronic condition (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease), make sure to:
- Declare the condition when purchasing the policy – concealing it = no payout
- Look for a policy with a chronic conditions clause – covers flare-ups
- Bring medical documentation – in English
- Take enough medication – for the entire stay + a few days' reserve
The surcharge for a chronic conditions extension is usually 20–50%.
What to Do in Case of an Accident Abroad
- Call the insurer's emergency centre – keep the number with you at all times (phone + printout)
- Follow their instructions – the insurer will direct you to a facility, cover costs, or ask you to pay and reimburse later
- Keep all receipts – for treatment, medication, transport
- Get medical documentation – diagnosis, treatment records, prescriptions
- Report theft to the police – obtain a report/certificate
- File a formal claim – after returning, within the deadline stated in the policy terms (usually 7–14 days)
Planning Your Travel Budget
Travel insurance is a fraction of the trip cost – but without it, you risk financial catastrophe. When planning your travel budget in Freenance, don't forget to include the policy as a fixed expense for every trip.
Summary
- Always buy travel insurance – EHIC is not enough
- Medical costs are the priority – min. €50,000 in Europe, $200,000+ in the USA
- Match the scope to your activities – skiing, diving, trekking require extensions
- Compare offers – price and scope differences are significant
- Read the exclusions – alcohol, chronic conditions, sports
- Annual policy – pays off from 3+ trips per year
- Always have the emergency centre number with you
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Consult a licensed advisor before making decisions.
Want full control over your finances?
Try Freenance for free