Travel Insurance for France

Do I need Travel Insurance for France? 

To avoid disappointment — including not being allowed to even step foot on a Parisian street or French country lane — you’ll need Travel Insurance to visit France. It all comes down to visas or the lack thereof. 

Australia and France have a good relationship. So good in fact that Aussie travellers looking to spend up to 90 days in France don’t actually need a visa. However, on arrival you’ll need to present a few different documents expanding on your stay. This includes a travel insurance certificate showing all your medical and hospital expenses are covered while you’re staying in France. 

Similarly, Travel Insurance for Europe will also be a requirement if you’re looking to visit France as part of a bigger European holiday, particularly if you’re hoping to visit any parts of the Schengen area. This is an area made up of lots of European countries who share an agreement that travellers don’t need a visa. Instead, you can hop freely between these countries for 90 days within a 180-day period.  

But if you’re hoping to visit for longer, you’ll need a visa. To be eligible for this, you’ll need to have Travel Insurance that covers at least €30,000 of medical emergencies and hospital care for the entirety of your stay. This cover needs to include all the Schengen countries as well. 

What activities in France could my Travel Insurance cover? 

Travel Insurance isn’t just to help you get into France though. It can also come in handy as you take in the sights and have those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Seeing those bucket list items

From the Catacombs of Paris to the Arc de Triomphe, Paris and France more broadly have more iconic spots than you can shake a breadstick at. And could a trip to France ever feel complete without a visit to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower?  

Unfortunately, popular tourist locations — and transport to and from them — have long been popular with pickpockets and thieves. But, with Travel Insurance, you could be compensated for any stolen money or valuables, helping clear that sour note from your trip.

Chasing adrenaline on the French Alps

If you’re seeking a thrill or a well-earned hot chocolate, the French Alps could be where you find it. Renowned for skiing and snowboarding, you could easily spend days in the powder under the shadow of Mont Blanc and other peaks. 

But what happens if you stumble or take a tumble on the slopes? If it means a trip to the doctor or local emergency department, your Travel Insurance could have you covered. Although you may have had to specifically pick out a winter sports package.

Visiting battlefields and war cemeteries

France has a lot of history, from its own royal line and battles to its involvement on a global scale. Hiring a car and planning your own itinerary can often be the best way to visit these sites. Plus, this way, you can customise a tour that suits your interests. 

By the way, if you do end up hiring a car, your Travel Insurance could cover the excess for any scrapes or accidents you get into.

Getting to know the regions through their wines

Like baguettes and cheeses, wine is quintessentially French. So, no one would begrudge you indulging your palette and getting to know the difference between a champagne from Champagne and one from the bottle-o. 

But life and its little bumps can happen even on holiday. Cancellations and delays may be out of your control, but with Travel Insurance you could at least be compensated if the winery can’t offer you a refund or different date.

Cheering on the Tour de France

While most of us will never be in the race, standing on the sidelines of the Tour de France could be just as good. Not to mention, you might even make some new friends as you wait for the cyclists to whiz past. 

And if you get injured from too exuberantly celebrating a spectacular breakaway, your Travel Insurance could cover your medical costs and have you back cheering in person at the next stage.

‘We tried out a Michelin-starred truffle restaurant called La Truffiere, where my partner and I enjoyed a five-course meal. We indulged a bit too much and felt the need to walk around the bustling streets of Paris afterwards until we reached Jardin du Luxembourg (or Luxembourg Gardens). All as we waited and watched the Eiffel Tower magically light up against the backdrop of pink sunset skies!’

Tina Sendin
Digital Writer at iSelect

Will I be covered for COVID-19? 

Pandemics tend to be excluded from Travel Insurance Policies but COVID-19 can be a bit of a special case. As a result, you may be able to find cover for it, including needing to cancel your trip before you even make it to the airport or interrupting it because you’ve become unwell. For the ins and outs of what you’re covered for, you may want to take a look at the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

Being covered is great but avoiding getting COVID-19 at all is even better. So, you may want to brush up on your good virus-avoiding hygiene skills in the lead-up to your trip.  

How much does Travel Insurance cost for France? 

And how long is a baguette? These kinds of questions, unfortunately, can only really be answered with an ‘it depends’. In the case of Travel Insurance, your premium can change depending on: 

• The insurer and level of cover you choose 
• How long you’re away for 
• Your age and health, including any pre-existing conditions 
• What you’ll be taking with you and how much those valuables are worth 
• Your excess 
• Any extreme sports packages you wish to add onto your cover 

Your insurer will also consider where you’re travelling too and the risk that comes with it. As of June 2024, France is at Level 2 of the government’s travel advisory scale, likely as a result of the 2024 Olympics attracting an increased terrorist risk before, during and after the games. Therefore, you may find that getting cover for France is more expensive than Travel Insurance for Italy, a Level 1 country.

What is usually covered by Travel Insurance? 

All Travel Insurance Policies are different, but a comprehensive policy will usually include cover for things like: 

• Medical costs, including emergency evacuation and getting you home for treatment 
• Lost baggage, valuables, money and travel documents 
• Cancellations and delays, including because of COVID-19 
• Rental vehicle excess 

Of course, there can be variations between policies, including how much you’re covered for. Checking out the PDS can give you a better handle of what’s in and what’s out. 

What won’t Travel Insurance cover in France? 

When it comes to exclusions, this is also an excellent time to read through the PDS. However, as a general rule, the following things tend to not be covered:  

• You leave your bags or valuables unattended 
• You get up to any illegal activities 
• You’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol and injure yourself 
• You didn’t let your insurer know about any pre-existing medical conditions 

As France raised its terrorist alert warning to its highest level following a terrorist attack in Russia in March 2024, it’s fair to want cover for a potential event. However, you may need to look around to find a policy that covers loss or injury from terrorism as it tends to be excluded. If you do find a policy that includes it, there may also be restrictions and limits as to what and how much you can claim. 

Where can I find and compare Travel Insurance? 

If you’re gearing up to explore France, adding Travel Insurance to your before-take-off to-do list could be a good idea. Handily, iSelect makes it easy for you to compare a range of Travel Insurance Policies from different providers. Then you can spend more time and effort on planning the ultimate trip to France.

Written by

Madeline Pettet

Digital Writer (Health)

Madeline is ready to demystify the technical so customers can save and live their best lives. She’s passionate about sustainability and overall wellbeing. In her spare time, she’s staring adoringly at her cats.

Edited by

David Rayfield

Digital Editor – Marketing, iSelect

David has extensive experience in writing, editing and marketing before joining iSelect in 2023 as Digital Editor. When not making our content better, you can find them browsing log cabins for sale in the forest.