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Oh, Paris — we swoon at the thought of it. But France has so much to offer beyond the City of Lights. Before you leave for its world-class museums, sweeping landscapes and regional delicacies, protect your adventure with a travel insurance policy.
More often, your risks will involve limited room in your stomach for the food and drink that abounds. Situations for travelers to keep an eye out for include:
You can adventure to your heart’s content in France, but your standard policy may exclude the more heart-pounding among them. Look for extra coverage if you’re considering:
Cycling is a popular means of getting around in Paris, which hosts 400 miles of dedicated routes. So many cyclists on the roads combined with infamously erratic Parisian motorists can spell danger if you don’t know what you’re doing. Cycling around the Arc de Triomphe is particularly perilous, with traffic coming from all directions and no one willing to concede right of way.
If you plan to cycle in Paris, make sure it’s covered by your travel insurance. Carefully read your policy for exclusions. And read up on the road rules for cyclists to avoid inadvertently voiding your coverage.
If you’re sick or injured, contact your insurer as soon as possible to learn the steps you need to take to make a claim. Collect doctor’s notes, bills, discharge papers and any other relevant documents to support your claim.
Carefully read your policy so that you understand the deductibles or copays that come with your claim. You may need to pay smaller-dollar bills up front and request reimbursement when you’re home.
Julie waitressed long hours to save up for her six-month adventure to Europe. Just before she left, she bought a basic travel insurance plan. After more than five months of exploring the continent, Julie spent her final week relaxing in Southern France. Unfortunately, Julia cut her foot on broken glass at the beach — a cut that required a visit to Saint-Roch Hospital.
On checkout, she learned that the ambulance and ER visit totaled more than $5,000. And her insurance company required a $500 deductible up front. Luckily, Julia asked for her dad’s help with the deductible, allowing her to return home to settle the claim.
If you encounter an emergency while traveling in France, you aren’t alone:
It’s not just France: Scammers all over the world fair consider tourists fair game for tricks that part them from their money. To avoid falling prey to a scam, carry your money securely in a money belt or internal pocket, and be on the lookout for pickpockets, thieves and scam artists, particularly around major tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower.
Popular scams to look out for include:
If you’re the victim of a scam, contact your travel insurance company immediately.
To determine the level of insurance you need, narrow down:
Travel insurance can cover your medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen belongings, and trip cancellations or delays. That being said, your travel policy won’t cover everything. You’re typically on the hook for your own costs if:
France is the ultimate vacation destination for romantic getaways, thrill seeking and jaw-dropping vistas and landscapes. A travel insurance policy can make sure you come home with memories to brag about and pictures to post, rather than looming medical bills or missing electronics you can’t afford to replace.
Do you already have coverage for road trips or should you buy a separate travel policy?
Seven Corners launches four new policies to protect travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a road trip plan.
Many travel insurers list epidemics under their exclusions — which means they’re not usually covered.
Refund or credit your trip’s costs even if your travel insurance is restricting coverage.
Consider whether pet or travel insurance could help with unexpected trip interruptions.
Visiting the US could come with its share of delayed flights or doctor visits during your trip.
Some policies exclude coronavirus claims entirely, while others treat it like other covered causes.
What to know if you’re currently in one of the 26 affected nations or have an upcoming trip planned.
Normal processing takes six to eight weeks, but you could get a limited-validity passport temporarily.
Refund as much as 150% of your travel costs if your trip is cut short.