Many European citizens think that they do not need any travel insurance to travel to France because they‘re staying inside the European Union. However after having a car accident, losing luggage or having an item stolen, many will regret their decision.

It’s true that as a European citizen going to France for a short break you’re entitled to access to emergency treatment thanks to the European health insurance Card (replacing the old E111) but this card will only cover simple healthcare and will not cover you if you have to be brought to the UK in an emergency.

Moreover even during short stays you might lose or have your luggage and personal items (credit card, wallet, passport, mobile…) stolen or have transport problems and your home and credit card insurance policies might not be sufficient to cover you properly. This is why when you are planning to travel even if it is to a European country such as France you should have a good travel insurance policy that will cover you and your family in any situation for the duration of your trip.

A good travel insurance policy may comprise:

• Medical and health cover for injury and illness including repatriation
• 24h emergency assistance and personal accident cover
• Public liability insurance and legal expenses cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damage to the property of a member of the public
• Cover for lost and stolen personal items
• Financial protection in case of transport problems: cancellation, ticket exchange, curtailment or bad weather.

If you extend your journey do not forget to ask your insurer to extend your policy and in case of refusal look for a specialist policy.

Generally insurers offer different kind of insurances and you will have to choose the one which is the most appropriate for you:

-          Single insurance

-          Family insurance

-          Group insurance

-          Student or senior insurance

-          Business insurance

-          Winter sports travel insurance

-          Golf travel insurance

-          …

When you are choosing travel insurance, be sure of what you need and what the policy you are choosing is covering exactly (read the small print).

Although you are covered by your travel insurance, take care of your luggage and personal items or the policy will not insure you!

Here are some examples of travel insurance companies:

Created in 2002, EssentialTravel.co.uk is one of the UK’s best online travel essentials providers. With EssentialTravel.co.uk you will have safer holidays inexpensively. For more information visit the website: http://www.essentialtravel.co.uk/aboutus.asp

For over 10 years insure and go has provided cheap travel insurance and has developed a large range of products to cover any kind of trip. With Insure and go you will be able to customise your own policy and pay only for what you really need. For more information visit the website: http://www.insureandgo.com/travel-insurance/travelhome.html

TravelInsurance.co.uk is the UK’s number one travel insurer.  Open 7 days a week, TravelInsurance.co.uk has been offering a large choice of cheap travel insurance policies for over 10 years. For more information visit the website: http://www.travelinsurance.co.uk/

Direct travel Insurance provides a large choice of travel insurances for holidays and business travel at all prices. All their travel insurance policies comprise 24 hour access to an Emergency Assistance line and Talking Nurses service. For more information visit the website: http://www.direct-travel.co.uk/

Insurance companies comparison website:

See France is a travel comparison site which will help you find the best deals to travel to France. On this website you will be able to compare different websites offering plane, train or ferry tickets but also accommodation and travel insurance policies. Thanks to See France you will be able to plan your trip to France according to your requirements and your budget. For more information visit the website: http://www.seefrance.org/travel-insurance/index.php