Travel Insurance Considerations for a Trip to Paris
Paris, also known as “The City of Lights”, draws tens of millions of tourists per year with its iconic landmarks, world-class cuisine and romantic culture. France makes exploring easy, offering a small footprint and high-speed trains.
Even though Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, it is wise to consider purchasing travel insurance for your trip. International travel comes with inherent travel risks, including missed flight connections, lost baggage and unforeseen health emergencies that may not be covered by your insurance at home. Keep reading to learn more about how to protect your trip and get the most out of your visit to Paris.
Do I Need Travel Insurance to Visit France?
Travel insurance is not required for American tourists to visit France. U.S. citizens with a valid passport can tour France for up to 90 days. After 90 days, a visa application must be submitted to stay in the country legally. If you are a U.S. resident but not a citizen, remember a Schengen Visa may be required to travel within Europe.
Even though it is not legally required, purchasing travel insurance when taking a trip abroad is always recommended. Travel insurance can provide you with financial assistance should complications arise on your Parisian vacation. Most travel insurance plans offer around-the-clock customer service to provide assistance, which can be helpful when you are not familiar with the local language or customs.
Health coverage is also a concern when traveling abroad. Most U.S. medical insurance plans do not provide coverage overseas and will not help defer costs in the event of sickness or injury.
With this knowledge, let’s look at the types of trip insurance you should consider when traveling to France.
Trip Delay
Getting to Paris is a journey in and of itself. Even if you are lucky enough to fly directly into Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, you may experience unexpected delays. Also, if your flight is canceled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, having trip delay coverage can help reimburse you for travel-related expenses such as meals, transportation, and hotel stays.
Trip delay coverage can also provide reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable excursions that you miss because of travel delays. For example, if you had a Montmartre food tour booked for your first day in Paris but you arrived a day late due to a flight delay, you could file a claim to be reimbursed for the cost of your missed tour.
Always check your policy details before leaving for vacation. There may be a waiting period of three to 12 hours before your trip delay coverage can take effect.
Trip Interruption
Family emergencies are more common than you might think. You could lose out on prepaid, non-refundable reservations if your trip is cut short and you have to fly home early.
Trip interruption coverage can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable vacation expenses if you have to leave Paris unexpectedly for a covered reason.
Having a trip interruption policy can also be helpful if you need to get back to the U.S. quickly in the case of an emergency. Trip interruption insurance can provide reimbursement for a last-minute, one-way flight so you can be with a loved one or handle a situation at work or home.
Trip Cancellation
A trip to France can be a significant financial investment. Most travelers spend more on a once-in-a-lifetime journey, from airline tickets to accommodations and excursions, than they would on any other single trip.
Unfortunately, even if you plan your trip carefully, emergencies can happen with your health, work schedule, and loved ones that can require you to cancel your trip.
With trip cancellation insurance, you can receive financial compensation for prepaid, non-refundable expenses if the cancellation reason is covered by your policy.
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)
Unfortunately, it is possible that you might need to cancel your trip for a reason that is not covered by your standard travel insurance policy. For example, if you have anxiety about traveling or need to attend a milestone birthday party, those would not be covered reasons under a standard travel insurance policy.
If you need to be able to cancel your trip for any reason at all, consider purchasing a cancel for any reason (CFAR) upgrade to your travel insurance policy. You will pay more for the upgrade, but you can also cancel your trip for any reason.
Remember, even with CFAR, you must cancel no less than 48 hours before departure and it is important to know the details of your policy to avoid unpleasant surprises about coverage. CFAR claims generally help you recover 75% of your overall prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, which makes it a good investment if you have booked an expensive vacation that would otherwise be a complete loss if canceled.
Emergency Medical
Most U.S. insurance carriers do not provide coverage outside of the country. Medicare is among the plans not accepted in France. The cost of healthcare in France and other European countries is high, and paying for unexpected medical costs out of pocket could ruin an otherwise magical trip. Even relatively small things, like misplacing prescription medication, visiting a doctor for a cold, or spraining an ankle while sightseeing, can add up. Purchasing emergency travel medical insurance for your trip to Paris is wise, especially when you consider the exorbitant costs that can be incurred without valid health insurance coverage.
Most travel medical insurance plans offer varying amounts of coverage, so you can choose your plan based on your budget and health concerns.
Medical Evacuation
Serious medical issues could be challenging to treat in certain parts of France. If you are outside of Paris or would prefer to be seen by a specialist in the U.S., a medical evacuation policy could be right for you.
Medical evacuation services can get you the treatment you need fast. It can even provide flights home, ambulance transportation from one medical facility to another, or quick access to a specialist.
Baggage Loss
Checking baggage on an international flight can be a gamble, especially if you have transfers. If your luggage fails to arrive or arrives late, baggage loss and baggage delay can help you get the supplies you need to continue your trip.
Baggage loss also protects you if your property is lost or stolen when sight-seeing. Always report to the appropriate authorities if your property is lost or stolen. When you file a claim with your travel insurance company, you will need this report to support your account of what happened.
Before you start filing multiple claims, remember that your policy will only reimburse you for the depreciated value of your items and only up to the limit of your policy. You may also have to file a claim using your home insurance before baggage loss insurance will start to pay.
Traveling to Paris FAQs
What are the passport rules when traveling to France from the U.S.?
Your valid U.S. passport must have three months left beyond your departure date. You cannot use a U.S. emergency passport as a visa-free entry.
You can be in France for up to 90 days without a visa as a tourist. Travel past 90 days requires a visa or travel permit.
What currency does France use?
France’s currency is the Euro. It is wise to check the exchange rate before your trip so you know how far your U.S. dollar will stretch.
Credit cards are widely accepted in France, so you can pay for most expenses using your existing credit cards. Be aware that your credit card may charge exchange rates or foreign transaction fees. Check with your credit card company before your trip so you can have time to sign up for an international-friendly credit card, if needed.
Exchange a small amount of U.S. dollars for Euros before your trip. Having Euros when you enter France will be less stressful, so you don’t have to locate a currency exchange booth when you first arrive. You will need Euros for tips and possibly for public transportation.
Will my U.S. cell phone work in France?
The short answer is yes. You can save money by following these tips:
- Get a local SIM card in France by visiting one of their mobile network providers at the airport or local phone stores. You can also order a prepaid eSIM card online. There are several plans available to fit most budgets.
- Check with your U.S. carrier about upgrading to an international roaming plan while on vacation. Depending on your carrier, this can be a more affordable option than purchasing a local SIM card.
Enjoy your Trip!
When traveling to Paris, don’t leave your financial investment and peace of mind to chance. Visit TravelInsurance.com to view and compare travel insurance policies from top insurers. Our comparison platform makes it easy to buy the right policy for your Parisian vacation.
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