/
Planning a holiday, business trip or international journey?
Travel insurance is not one single product. Different policies cover different risks — from medical treatment abroad to cancellation costs and travel interruption.
The most common types are:
- International health insurance (Auslandskrankenversicherung)
- Travel cancellation insurance (Reiserücktrittsversicherung)
- Travel interruption insurance (Reiseabbruchversicherung)
- Travel baggage insurance (Reisegepäckversicherung)
The right combination depends on your destination, trip length, booking costs and personal situation.
Travel Insurance Comparison: What Does Each Policy Cover?
| Travel Insurance | What Does It Cover? | When Is It Relevant? |
|---|---|---|
| International Health Insurance | Medical treatment abroad and, depending on the tariff, medical repatriation | Illness or accident abroad |
| Travel Cancellation | Cancellation costs for an insured reason before departure | You cannot start your trip |
| Travel Interruption | Additional costs and unused travel services after an insured interruption | You must end your trip early |
| Travel Baggage | Certain losses, damage or theft of luggage | Your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen |
| Annual Travel Insurance | Multiple trips during the insurance year, depending on the tariff | Frequent travellers |
These four core travel insurance products are also identified in the source comparison.
1. International Health Insurance
Auslandskrankenversicherung can cover medically necessary treatment abroad.
Depending on the policy, it may also include medical repatriation.
This is one of the key areas to check before travelling because the coverage provided by statutory health insurance abroad can be limited. ADAC notes that the German statutory health insurance system does not necessarily cover all costs abroad and that medical repatriation to Germany is not covered by the EHIC itself.
Allianz currently advertises worldwide international health insurance with coverage for medically necessary treatment and medical repatriation under its stated conditions.
Questions to ask:
- Is medical treatment covered?
- Are hospital stays covered?
- Is emergency treatment covered?
- Is medical repatriation included?
- What countries are covered?
- Are there exclusions?
- How long can each trip last?
2. Travel Cancellation Insurance
Reiserücktrittsversicherung is designed to protect against certain cancellation costs when you cannot take a booked trip for an insured reason.
Possible insured reasons depend on the policy.
The key point:
Travel cancellation insurance applies before the trip starts.
Allianz currently describes its cancellation insurance as protection against cancellation costs arising from insured events and also offers protection for certain cases of early trip interruption.
Questions to ask:
- Which cancellation reasons are insured?
- How much of the cancellation cost is covered?
- Is a deductible applicable?
- When must the insurance be purchased?
- Does it cover all travellers on the booking?
3. Travel Interruption Insurance
Reiseabbruchversicherung is different from travel cancellation insurance.
The simple rule is:
Reiserücktritt = the trip has not started.
Reiseabbruch = the trip has already started.
If an insured event forces you to end the trip early, the policy may cover certain additional costs and unused travel services.
The exact benefits depend on the tariff.
4. Travel Baggage Insurance
Reisegepäckversicherung can cover luggage against specific insured events such as theft, loss or damage.
However, the conditions, exclusions and compensation limits can vary significantly.
Before buying this coverage, check:
- ✓ What counts as insured baggage?
- ✓ Is theft covered?
- ✓ Is accidental damage covered?
- ✓ What are the compensation limits?
- ✓ Are valuable items subject to special limits?
- ✓ What exclusions apply?
Annual Travel Insurance vs. Single-Trip Insurance
If you travel several times per year, an annual travel insurance policy may be worth considering.
An annual policy can cover multiple trips during the insurance year, depending on the product.
For example, Allianz currently offers an annual travel protection package covering multiple trips worldwide, with individual trips subject to the stated maximum duration.
ERGO also currently offers several annual travel insurance options, including:
- Annual comprehensive travel protection
- Annual travel cancellation insurance
- Annual travel health insurance
The important question is not simply:
“Is annual insurance cheaper?”
Instead ask:
“How many trips do I take, how long are they, and which benefits do I actually need?”
What Should You Check Before Buying Travel Insurance?
Use this checklist before choosing a policy:
Medical Coverage
Check the maximum coverage, hospital treatment and medical repatriation.
Cancellation Reasons
Make sure the reasons you want covered are actually included.
Trip Interruption
Check whether additional return travel and unused travel costs are covered.
Destination
Make sure your destination is included in the geographical area of cover.
Maximum Trip Duration
This is especially important with annual policies.
For example, current Allianz annual travel health insurance options cover multiple trips with a maximum duration per trip, while longer individual trips can require a different product.
Exclusions
Always check exclusions and conditions before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need travel insurance if I have German statutory health insurance?
Having German statutory health insurance does not automatically mean that all medical costs abroad are covered.
ADAC notes that statutory health insurance can provide only limited protection abroad and does not itself cover medical repatriation to Germany.
What is the difference between travel cancellation and travel interruption insurance?
The easiest way to remember it:
Cancellation = before departure.
Interruption = after the trip has started.
The exact insured events and benefits depend on the policy.
Is international health insurance necessary within Europe?
European health coverage does not necessarily mean that every medical cost or repatriation expense is covered.
An international travel health policy can provide additional protection depending on its conditions.
Is annual travel insurance better than single-trip insurance?
It depends on how often you travel and what coverage you need.
Annual insurance can be convenient for frequent travellers because one policy can cover multiple trips during the insurance year.
However, always compare the maximum trip duration, geographical coverage and included benefits.
Does travel insurance cover every reason for cancellation?
No.
Travel cancellation insurance generally covers specified insured reasons, not every possible reason for cancelling a trip.
Always check the current policy conditions before purchasing.
Does travel insurance cover lost luggage?
Travel baggage insurance can cover certain cases of loss, theft or damage.
The exact conditions and compensation limits depend on the tariff.
Travel Insurance Comparison: What Do You Actually Need?
For many travellers, the decision comes down to three questions:
1. What happens if I become ill abroad?
→ Consider international health insurance.
2. What happens if I cannot start my expensive booked trip?
→ Consider travel cancellation insurance.
3. What happens if I have to return home during my trip?
→ Consider travel interruption insurance.
If you travel frequently, an annual policy may also be worth comparing.
Compare Travel Insurance Options
The right travel insurance depends on your destination, trip duration, booking costs and personal circumstances.
Want to compare your options before your next trip?
[Compare Travel Insurance]
Get an individual comparison and find the coverage that fits your trip.
Official provider information:
- Allianz Travel Insurance
- Allianz International Health Insurance
- ERGO Annual Travel Insurance
- ADAC International Health Insurance
- AXA Travel Insurance
Insurance products, conditions and tariffs can change. Always check the current policy documents and specific tariff conditions before purchasing.