Guide to European travel insurance
Be covered wherever your European adventure takes you
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Underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited.
Get ready for your trip
Travelling to Europe? Whether you’re off for a quick city break or a relaxing beach holiday, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance.
No one likes to think of the worst case scenario while planning the perfect trip, but sometimes it happens. Flights can be delayed, luggage goes missing, and people fall ill. With Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance, we’ve got you covered, should anything like this happen to you.
Do you need travel insurance in Europe?
While it's not a legal requirement, it’s advisable to take out travel insurance for trips to European destinations. Although it may feel like you’re not travelling too far from home, if anything unexpected was to happen you might end up out of pocket.
European holiday insurance will give you peace of mind should anything unexpected happen. It can help cover medical bills and the price of replacing lost items, such as mobile phones – depending on what type of policy you choose.
The GHIC scheme
UK residents may be entitled to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This covers state-provided, medically necessary, healthcare at a low cost or free of charge when you're traveling in an EU country.
The GHIC is a replacement for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Still got your EHIC? You can use your valid EHIC card until it expires. Then you can apply for your new GHIC.
Ready to apply? You’re eligible for the GHIC scheme if you’re a UK resident. There are a few exceptions. For more information, or to apply, visit the NHS website.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the GHIC isn’t a replacement for European holiday insurance. Although it includes cover for chronic or pre-existing medical conditions. It also doesn’t cover certain costs, such as help to get back home after a medical emergency, in the same way that holiday travel insurance would.
Remember, each country in Europe has a different healthcare system. That means the level of care may not be the same as you’d receive free of charge at home on the NHS. With a GHIC, and no travel insurance, you'll have to pay for any health care out of your own pocket. The GHIC card is only valid in EU countries and Switzerland.
Do you need travel insurance for the UK?
What about if you’re enjoying a staycation – do you still need to buy travel insurance? While it's not a legal requirement, it’s advisable to take out travel insurance. You'll be covered for cancellation and loss/theft of money and gadgets. We offer both single trip and annual multi-trip policies for holidays within the UK only.
Types of European travel insurance
We offer three different travel insurance policies. What you need will depend on your holiday plans. And remember, if you’re staying within the UK it’s a choice between single trip and annual multi-trip.
Single Trip
Planning one special holiday somewhere in Europe? Consider our Single Trip policy
Annual Multi-trip
Ticking a few European countries off your bucket list? Our Multi-trip policy might work best
Extended trip
Heading off on an extended trip around Europe? Get up to 548 days cover, depending on the level of cover you choose
Why choose Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance?
We offer Silver, Gold and Platinum level cover for all our travel insurance policies, whether you’re holidaying in the UK or elsewhere in Europe.
Policy limits, excesses and exclusions apply, please see the policy summary for full details.
Single Trip & Annual Multi-trip
| Key benefits | Silver Cover (up to) | Gold Cover (up to) | Platinum Cover (up to) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical emergency expenses | £10 million | £15 million | unlimited |
| Cancellation or cutting short your trip | £3,000 | £5,000 | £7,500 |
| Personal baggage | £1,250 | £2,000 | £3,000 |
| Personal accident | - | £25,000 | £50,000 |
| Gadget cover | £500 | £750 | £750 |
| Personal money | £400 | £500 | £750 |
| Mugging cover | - | £250 | £500 |
Extended Trip
| Key benefits | Silver Cover (up to) | Gold Cover (up to) |
Platinum Cover (up to) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical emergency expenses | £10 million | £12.5 million | £15 million |
| Cancellation or cutting short your trip | £1,000 | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Personal baggage | £1,000 | £1,500 | £2,000 |
| Personal accident | - | £10,000 | £15,000 |
| Personal money | £200 | £300 | £500 |
| Winter sports cover (optional extra) | £500 | £750 | £1,000 |
Ready to get European travel insurance?
Wherever you’re off to, make sure you’ve got the right travel insurance in place before you go. Find out more about the countries we cover and get a quote for your European travel cover online today.
Flying with children
Off on a family holiday? We’ve covered everything you need to know about flying with children
Travel disruption
What to do if your flight's delayed, cancelled or overbooked
Go global
Decided to venture a little further afield? Check out our guide to worldwide travel insurance
Any questions?
Check out our FAQs about travel insurance. If you still need to talk to us, our friendly team will be happy to help.
Call 0345 305 2621.
Sales and service lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekend and Bank Holidays. Calls may be monitored or recorded. Calls are charged at local rates from landlines and mobiles.
Terms and conditions
Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting; register.fca.org.uk.
Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Hood Travel Limited, registered at Companies House 08318836. Hood Travel is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 597211. Hood Travel Limited’s registered address is at 2nd Floor, Decora Court, Tylers Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2BB.