Travel Insurance for Italy

You don’t need an excuse to visit Italy – the satisfying cuisine, sun-drenched weather and friendly people make it one of the world’s top destinations. Easygoing by nature, Italy is perfect for a single-trip or a pit stop on a larger European adventure. 

Along the way, you’ll discover relaxing beaches and soaring mountains while scooting around ancient streets on a Vespa. However, getting appropriate Travel Insurance is important when departing on an Italian adventure – it can make exploring the unknown much less daunting. 

Do I need Travel Insurance for Italy? 

You aren’t obligated to get Travel Insurance before arriving in Italy, but it’s a wise move if you want to protect yourself against unexpected hiccups. Of course, illness and accidents are a big concern. But an appropriate Travel Insurance policy can also help you recoup the cost of lost luggage or rental vehicle excess if you get in a tangle on a narrow street. 

Which popular activities in Italy can be covered? 

Travelling to Italy offers abundant opportunities, with culinary adventures, volcanic expeditions and coastal cruises presenting fascinating insight. Travel Insurance helps globetrotters experience eclectic sights and sounds with greater peace of mind. 

Active volcanos

Active volcanoes like Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna are popular tourist destinations, but you should explore them with caution. Although many Travel Insurance policies cover natural disasters, you could be expected to take reasonable steps to avoid financial loss or injury. Review the latest travel advice before committing to a seismic adventure. 

Alpine sports

The Italian Alps are stunning – think skiing by day and gnocchi by night. Sounds pretty good, right? Just make sure that your Travel Insurance includes winter sports cover, as basic policies often don’t. Extreme activities like off-piste skiing could require you to hire a professional guide to maintain cover, while some activities are excluded from cover altogether. 

Coastal road trips

Driving the Amalfi Coast immerses visitors in breathtaking scenery. However, getting behind the wheel in Italy can be a stressful experience. If you’re planning to drive, always get the right permits and review your Travel Insurance policy to see how it covers driving-related incidents, including rental vehicle excess, in case you have an accident. 

Roman ruins

What’s a trip to Italy without seeing sights like the Colosseum? Unfortunately, you’ll need to keep your wits about you, as pickpockets operate in popular tourist areas. Meanwhile, if you decide to live like a Roman and ride a scooter around the city, remember the law requires both drivers and passengers to wear a helmet. 

Inland wine tours

Sipping red wine with a plate of pasta has to be up there for many tourists as a must-do Italian experience, and the wine in Chianti is some of the best. But if you’re doing your wine tour by car, remember to enjoy that wine with caution and keep under the limit. It’s unlikely your Travel Insurance policy will cover you for drink-driving accidents. 

Will I be covered for COVID-19?   

COVID-19 cover is now included in many Travel Insurance policies. However, the terms can differ between providers, so read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see how getting sick could affect your journey. In some cases, medical and repatriation costs are only covered if you get COVID-19 in the destination listed on your certificate of insurance. You might also find some policies don’t cover healthcare costs after you return to Australia.  and all pre-existing conditions, as failure to do so can invalidate your policy.

I would recommend visiting Piemonte (Piedmont), especially Torino (Turin) and Alba. Torino was the first capital of Italy and maintains beautiful architecture. It is also renowned for its rich history in chocolate-making and its vibrant cultural scene, including museums and historic cafes. Lavazza and Martini call Turin home. Torino is also home to the best* football team in the world, Juventus. *subject to bias

Aldo Mencaraglia
iSelect Marketing Insight and Effectiveness Manager

How much will Travel Insurance for Italy typically cost? 

Purchasing a Travel Insurance policy is wise before departing for Italy. Fortunately, it shouldn’t cost a fortune, with basic cover for a week-long trip starting at around $35, depending on the provider, your age and pre-existing medical conditions. 

This means Travel Insurance for Italy costs about the same as India, Thailand and many parts of Europe while less than the United States. Just remember, adding cruise or ski cover means you can expect the premium to double or even triple in cost. 

What does Travel Insurance cover for Italy usually include?  

There’s no shortage of options when choosing a Travel Insurance policy, but you can usually expect the following benefits to help cover your journey.  

Medical expenses 

Travel Insurance should cover medical bills, emergency evacuation and ambulance costs and repatriation flights up to the stated limit of your policy. 

Personal liability 

If an incident occurs where you injure someone or damage property in Italy, personal liability cover could help cover your costs up to the limits specified in your policy. 

Cancellation fees and lost deposits 

If, due to circumstances outside of your control, you have to cancel your trip at the last minute, many Travel Insurance policies cover cancellation fees and lost deposits, helping you get back some of your expenses. 

Rental vehicle excess 

Driving across Italy in a rental car is incredible. However, if you have an accident, a policy with rental vehicle excess cover can help cover what you owe to the rental company. 

What won’t Travel Insurance cover in Italy? 

Travel Insurance can provide security, but it doesn’t cover every situation that could happen during your journey. For example, unattended items that get lost or stolen often won’t be covered. A claim could also be denied if you get sick but haven’t declared a pre-existing medical condition. 

Not surprisingly, if you injure yourself while doing something illegal, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your claim likely won’t be paid out. 

If you’re heading into the mountains, you’ll usually require extra cover for winter sports and natural disasters, like avalanches, which could interrupt your journey. This is where Ski Travel Insurance comes in handy, although some policies may still exclude extreme sports like solo off-piste skiing. 

Compare Travel Insurance policies with iSelect 

Ready to do as the Romans (or Turinians) do? Compare Travel Insurance from a range of providers today to look for a great policy that supports your Italian extravaganza.