Best Travel Insurance for Europe — Skiing & More

A vacation to Europe always attracts looks of envy. Protect your dream vacation with affordable and all-inclusive travel insurance. 

Many Singaporeans love to visit Europe for its historic landmarks, diverse cuisines, and scenic landscapes. But sometimes, we hear unpleasant stories about theft and pickpockets there. Being far from home and the trip costing a lot, you’ll want to financially protect yourself from travel and medical mishaps during your trip to Europe.

Discover the best travel insurance from Singapore to Europe, which offers comprehensive benefits and doesn’t cost you a bomb.

Table of contents:

• Do You Need Travel Insurance for Europe?
• Is It Worth Getting Travel Insurance for Europe?
• How Much Does Travel Insurance to Europe Cost?
• Best Travel Insurance for Singapore to Europe
• Tiq Travel Insurance for Europe Travel
  • Comprehensive Scope of Cover and Low Premiums
  • A Flexible and Customisable Plan
  • Travel Insurance to Europe for Travellers With Pre-existing Medical Conditions
• FWD Travel Insurance for Europe Travel
  • Comprehensive Scope of Cover and Low Premiums
  • A Flexible and Customisable Plan
• Singlife Travel Insurance for Europe Travel
  • Best Travel Insurance for Elderly Travellers With Highest Medical Coverage
  • A Flexible and Customisable Plan
• Conclusion
• FAQ
  • Does ‘worldwide’ travel insurance cover Europe?
  • Can I buy travel insurance after leaving Singapore?

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Europe?

It is not mandatory to have travel insurance to go to Europe. You can visit without buying any insurance. 

Earlier, the European Union announced that from 2024, Singaporeans going to Europe would need an additional document known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or Etias. But that’s delayed until 2025. 

So, Singaporeans can now enter Europe’s Schengen Zone without a visa or prior authorisation. However, starting in 2025, Singaporeans traveling to any EU/Schengen member countries must register with ETIAS before entering.

Is It Worth Getting Travel Insurance for Europe?

Getting travel insurance for Europe is a good idea even though it's not required. The protection you get is worth more than what you pay.

Unlike short getaway trips to Southeast Asia, trips to Europe can be pricey, easily going over S$2,500 just for flights and accommodation. If something unexpected occurs and you must cancel the trip, much of the pre-paid money will be gone. 

Plus, delays can happen with all the connecting flights and moving around. If you miss a flight, you may incur extra travel expenses for a place to stay.

Personal safety is another thing to consider. Lots of theft happens in Europe, with 5.7 million cases reported yearly. And if you're renting a car in Europe, you could be more prone to getting into accidents since you aren't used to driving there. 

Travel insurance offers financial protection when unexpected events happen, giving your trip greater peace of mind.

How Much Does Travel Insurance to Europe Cost?

Travel insurance costs more for destinations like Europe and the United States than for Asia. 

For a 12-day trip to Europe, the insurance cost can range from S$46 to S$120, depending on the insurance plan and level of coverage you select. 

Best Travel Insurance for Singapore to Europe

These are the 3 best travel insurance plans for your upcoming European trip. 

• Tiq Travel Insurance: Premium starts from S$45.24 for a 12D11N trip to Europe. 
• FWD Travel Insurance: Premium starts from S$53.46 for a 12D11N trip to Europe.
• Singlife Travel Insurance: Premium starts from S$77.41 for a 12D11N trip to Europe.

Let us look at these plans in greater detail.

Tiq Travel Insurance for Europe Travel

Comprehensive Scope of Cover and Low Premiums

Tiq Travel Insurance is a fantastic choice because it is versatile and low-priced. When buying travel insurance for Europe, most people feel the pinch due to the high cost, but with Tiq Travel Insurance, you'll be surprised by how little it costs. 

For a 12-day trip to Europe, the cost per traveler starts at only S$45.24.

The plan has all the key coverages a traveler to Europe would want: 

• Covers you for recreational sports, such as skiing, scuba diving (up to 30 meters), and hiking/trekking (not more than 3,000 meters from sea level).
• Medical expenses overseas and emergency medical evacuation
• Coverage if your travel agent goes bankrupt
• Trip cancellation for specific reasons
• Travel delay and baggage delay
• Loss of travel documents (including money)
• Death or disability due to acts of terrorism
• Personal liability overseas, and more

Specifically, their 'Travel Delay' benefit pays out if your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more. It is one of the fastest payouts in the industry - most plans only pay out after 6 hours. This benefit helps cover additional costs you might incur from a flight delay.

A Flexible and Customisable Plan

You can customise the plan according to your travel needs. That way, you only pay for the things you actually want to be covered. Here are the optional add-ons: 

Travel Insurance to Europe for Travellers With Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Typically, travel insurance doesn't pay for medical costs linked to health issues you had before your trip.

But with Tiq Travel Insurance, they have a plan type that extends to cover medical expenses overseas resulting from a pre-existing medical condition. It is helpful if you are worried about high medical expenses in Europe. 

The premiums cost more for this extra coverage. But it's worth it as it helps to defray high medical costs if you need urgent medical services in Europe. 

FWD Travel Insurance for Europe Travel

Comprehensive Scope of Cover and Low Premiums

FWD Travel Insurance is another great option. It is similar to Tiq Travel Insurance regarding affordability and how you could customise the plan according to your travel needs.

A 12-day Europe trip starts at S$53.46 per traveler. 

FWD costs slightly more than Tiq, but it has higher coverage limits. For example, if you must cancel your trip because a family member is very sick, FWD’s basic plan covers up to S$7,500 of your pre-paid expenses (Tiq covers S$5,000).

FWD Travel Insurance covers important things for traveling in Europe: 

• Covers you for recreational sports, such as skiing, scuba diving (no depth limit), and hiking/trekking (not more than 3,000 meters from sea level).
• Medical costs overseas and emergency medical evacuation
• If your travel agent goes bankrupt
• Trip cancellation
• Travel delay and baggage delay
• Loss of passport, travel documents & theft of money
• Covers losses due to terrorism
• Personal liability overseas, and more

Their "Cancel for Any Reason" optional add-on gives you added financial protection to get back 50% of the travel expenses you’ve paid upfront if you cancel the trip. 

Most insurance only covers trip cancellation for specific reasons, like a critically ill family member. But with this add-on, you have more flexibility if you cancel the trip. Since vacations to Europe can be expensive, this option is very beneficial. If you had to cancel because of work or a sick pet, you could still recover 50% of your pre-paid cost up to your selected plan’s coverage limit.  

A Flexible and Customisable Plan

You can customise your FWD Travel Insurance based on what you need. Here are the extra options you can add:

Singlife Travel Insurance for Europe Travel

Best Travel Insurance for Elderly Travellers With Highest Medical Coverage

Singlife Travel Insurance is an excellent choice for older travellers. Most travel insurance plans reduce the overseas medical coverage for people over 70 years old. However, Singlife keeps the same level of coverage for all ages. 

It is the only insurer that provides unlimited overseas medical coverage with its top-tier plan. 

A 12-day Europe trip starts at S$77.41 per traveler. 

A Flexible and Customisable Plan

You can customise your Singlife Travel Insurance and add extra protection for the activities you'll do in Europe. Here are some add-on options:

Conclusion

Traveling to Europe can be an unforgettable experience filled with adventure and discovery.  However, ensuring a smooth and worry-free trip requires the right protection. Choose a travel insurance tailored for your European adventure to safeguard your journey.

With the recommended plans highlighted here, you can easily find one that protects your vacation at an affordable cost. Use SingSaver to compare travel insurance policies quickly and easily. Bonus: You also get to enjoy additional discounts and attractive rewards! 

FAQ

Does ‘worldwide’ travel insurance cover Europe?

Yes. A ‘worldwide’ travel insurance plan covers Europe. 

‘Worldwide’ usually means the plan covers travel destinations within Asia, Europe, and the United States. Because it covers many countries, a ‘worldwide’ plan costs more than one, covering only ‘Asia.’ If you are unsure whether Europe is covered in a ‘worldwide’ plan, check with the insurance company before purchasing. 

Note: Travel insurance won't cover countries under US, UK, and EU sanctions.

Can I buy travel insurance after leaving Singapore?

You can't buy travel insurance once you leave Singapore. Getting your travel insurance early, right after you book your flights and accommodation, is advisable. It helps in case you forget later, plus the travel insurance can also cover you for trip cancellations that might happen.