What you need to know about travel insurance for a trip to France
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Europe’s cultural capital offers some unexpected surprises: a sand dune among pines, a bistro down a side street, masterpieces squirreled away in a chateau. But for surprises of the unpleasant kind – a delayed connection at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport or pickpocketing on the Metro – World Nomads can back you up with travel insurance benefits and an Emergency Assistance Team behind you.
France doesn’t require U.S. residents to have travel insurance to enter for short trips, but does that mean that you don’t need travel protection? For the most part, you can spend your days promenading along the River Seine or shushing down the slopes of Mont Blanc without an incident. But if you twist your ankle or take a tumble on the slopes, it helps to be prepared for the inconnu (that’s ‘unknown’ in French). A travel insurance plan with a basket of protections – from emergency medical to baggage and personal belongings – may be able to prevent a little snafu from becoming a catastrophe that wipes out your savings.
Petty crime and the theft of personal belongings can be common in Europe, especially in popular destinations or crowded transport hubs.
With a World Nomads policy, if your personal effects get stolen, you may get covered for the depreciated value of your items, up the maximum amount specified in your policy (scan the schedule of benefits for an overview of coverage).
Missing documentation is one of the top reasons why claims are delayed (and the reason why your payout doesn’t arrive in your bank account). Always report the crime to the police and/or your travel provider, such as an airline, hotel or tour operator, as you’ll need to provide this paperwork to us when you file your travel insurance claim. You may be also be asked to show proof of ownership. Don’t have the right docs? Read our Help Center article on what to do in this case scenario.
While you might consider road trips to be safer than bungee jumping or sky diving, road-based travel comes with its own set of risks. World Nomads is here to be your roadside companion with rental car coverage on the Explorer Plan. In addition, our Emergency Assistance Team is at your service 24/7 to get you through a medical emergency or help you with referrals for roadside assistance. Whether you’re navigating lane changes on the périphérique (ring road) around Paris or bumping along a country road, there’s nothing worse than getting into an accident without the backup to get you through a crisis.
In addition to breakdowns or accidents, theft can happen anywhere – even the countryside isn’t immune to rental car break-ins. If this happens to you, be ready to show proof of ownership for your stolen items and check your policy for any exclusions. These could be anything from cash and antiques to prescription glasses and pets.
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The diversity of France’s geography means that there’s a sandy beach, river canyon or snow-capped peak for every adventurer and every skill level. World Nomads travel insurance policies cover a range of activities from cross-country and alpine skiing to hiking and mountain biking. We also cover some water-based activities, including scuba diving and sea kayaking.
Some of these activities may require you to use specific safety gear or to be accompanied by a licensed guide, so check your policy for any conditions or contact our customer service department. You’ll also want to read closely the exclusions section of your policy. Activities such as mountaineering, search-and-rescue missions, and those above a certain elevation may not be covered
Check out our Help Center article about adventure sports coverage to ensure that your activities are included. Your choice of a Standard or Explorer plan may also determine what activities are covered. Any questions? Contact us.
While French nationals benefit from a universal health care system, travelers from outside the EU may be out of pocket if they get into a cycling accident on a country road or get sick from a steak tartare or unpasteurized cheese.
Many care providers accept only cash and ask you to pay upfront for any treatment. For the most part, you’ll need to obtain a feuille de soins (a medical treatment form) and submit the document to your primary insurer before submitting your claim with us.
Medical claims can be complicated, and you may be able to be asked for additional documentation, such as an invoice showing the expenses and your payment. What’s worse than a medical emergency? When you must navigate a catastrophe in an unfamiliar language. World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can offer basic translation and interpreter services, so you can speak to doctors or pharmacists, handle admin-related issues at the hospital, or deal with other situations that could arise. You may also need pre-authorizations for medical procedures or evacuations. So, make sure you contact the EA team – or have someone call them on your behalf – as soon as possible.
Perhaps no surprise in the home of the French Revolution, protests and demonstrations happen fairly frequently. While no one has shouted ‘Off with her head!’ in recent memory, protests can turn rowdy – often in areas that tourists frequent. (Plus, police have been known to use everything from tear gas to water cannons for crowd control).
If you happen to get trampled in the fray and, say, break your ankle, you can turn to your World Nomads policy. If you weren’t actively participating in such activities, you could be reimbursed for your covered medical emergencies to a maximum benefit. In addition, you’ll have access to World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance—super utile (helpful) if you want to locate a hospital far away from the urban strife.
Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. All of the information we provide is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the plans described. Coverage may not be the same or available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
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Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
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Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.