What it must cover, Europe's mandatory minimum, annual versus single-trip, which insurer by market, how to file a claim without getting stiffed, and which cards actually include coverage.
What it must cover, Europe's mandatory minimum, annual versus single-trip, which insurer by market, how to file a claim without getting stiffed, and which cards actually include coverage.
Medical expense is the only number that truly matters. Europe legally requires **EUR 30,000** under Schengen rules; for the US, Canada and Asia, anything under **USD 100,000** leaves you exposed in a real hospitalization.
COVID in 2026 is no longer a separate rider on good policies. It sits inside medical expenses. If an insurer still sells "COVID coverage" as a paid add-on, be suspicious.
**Reimbursement** vs **direct billing** changes everything. Policies that pay the hospital directly are worth double one that makes you front USD 10,000 and chase the money later.
An **annual multi-trip** policy pays off from **3 international trips per year**. It costs USD 200-500 and covers trips of up to 30-90 days each.
"Risky" sports (scuba, skiing, trekking above 4,000m, surf) need an add-on. The standard policy **excludes** them and denies the claim if you get hurt doing them.
What it must cover, Europe's mandatory minimum, annual versus single-trip, which insurer by market, how to file a claim without getting stiffed, and which cards actually include coverage.
