Travel Insurance for Spain
A Comprehensive Guide
by Nigel Clarkson 8th Apr 2024
Travel Insurance for Spain is one of the last things I have on my to-do list.
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There again, it's getting more important these days with my asthma condition and age as I get older. So I thought I would put together a guide to getting travel Insurance for a trip to Menorca or wherever you are travelling to.
I have included 4 different companies that I have dealt with over the years, all offering slightly different coverage and prices depending on your situation. The Travel Supermarket and Medical Travel Compared are great for making price comparisons.
Common Travel Insurance questions
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory to go to Spain?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory for entering Spain. Having a policy in place can save you from significant financial strain and stress in case of unexpected situations.
Most people do the right thing and take out travel insurance before going on holiday or business. Lets have a look at the benefits.
Here are some of the Benefits of Having Travel Insurance in Spain
Medical Emergencies: If you fall ill or have an accident, travel insurance can cover medical expenses, which can be costly, especially for tourists. Important to me.
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Trip Cancellation: Unpredictable circumstances like illness or a family emergency can lead to trip cancellation. Travel insurance can reimburse your non-refundable expenses. I have been stuck on several delays in the past.
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Lost or Stolen Belongings: Losing your baggage or having your possessions stolen can be distressing. Insurance can provide compensation for such losses. I have been lucky so far, but you never know.
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Personal Liability: Accidents can happen, and if you accidentally injure someone or damage property, travel insurance can cover liability costs. The only time for me so far was losing my wallet in Ibiza many years ago now.
Choosing the Right Policy
Yes, I know, you can sit there reading for ages to find the right insurance policy. It's a pain!
Let me try to help you, when selecting a travel insurance policy for Spain, try and consider the following:
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Coverage Extent: Ensure the policy covers all your planned activities and the entire duration of your stay.
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Medical Coverage: Look for policies offering comprehensive medical coverage, including emergency services and hospital stays. Important for me in my 60's.
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Pre-existing Conditions: Some policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions. If you have such conditions, I insure with Travel Insurance 4 Medical who have excellent customer service.
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Coverage Limits: Check the coverage limits and ensure they are adequate for your needs. For example, a minimum of €30,000 coverage is recommended for medical emergencies. You can a lot higher if you shop around I have found, check on the two comparison sites above. Travel Supermarket get a good score rating on this.
TSE and GHIC: What You Need to Know - can be confusing
For European travellers, the TSE (European Health Card) and the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) can provide health coverage in Spain.
However, I must point out, that these cards have limitations and don't replace travel insurance. They mainly cover public healthcare and may not cover private medical costs or other travel-related issues like trip cancellations or lost baggage. Be warned.
Handling Emergencies in Spain
In case of an emergency in Spain, it's crucial to know the steps to take so worth taking note:
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Seek Immediate Assistance: For medical emergencies, go to the nearest hospital or call the emergency number 112
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Contact Your Insurer: Notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. Keep their contact information easily accessible. Its one of the essential pieces of paperwork or pdf on your phone.
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Documentation: Collect and keep all receipts, reports, and documentation related to the incident for insurance claims. Super important or you won't have a successful claim.
Let me Debunked a few myths about Travel Insurance
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"It's too expensive": Travel insurance is a small price to pay for the protection it offers. It's worth every penny when something happens, trust me. The cost is minimal compared to the potential expenses of unforeseen events.
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"I'm already covered": Don't assume other forms of insurance you have will cover your travel. Check the specifics of your policies. We have an annual policy, but I always check the date of the end of that agreement before we go on holiday.
Final Tips for a Safe Trip to Spain
Travelling to Spain should be an enjoyable and worry-free experience.
Travel insurance acts as a safety net, allowing you to focus on relaxing and having a great time.
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By choosing the right policy and staying informed, you can ensure a safe and secure trip to this beautiful country.​
Travel health insurance companies should cover the following:
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Unanticipated circumstances and diseases that might crop up at any time. It's important to note that the insurance you choose must provide full coverage for a minimum of €30,000 in the event of an emergency. You should also keep in mind that they do not cover pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, as well as alcohol-related accidents. Terrorism or civil unrest-related occurrences are not covered by the policy.
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However, you can declare pre-conditions with Travel Insurance 4 Medical and then get a free quote for full insurance including existing medical conditions.
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In case of death, repatriation to your home country and save the family so many problems.
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If your trip is cancelled, you will receive reimbursement. If your travel is disrupted owing to circumstances beyond your control.
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Delays and missed flights. Once again, if you miss your flight due to uncontrollable events, you are protected by your insurance.
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Personal liability. When you cause the loss of property belonging to a third party or hurt them by accident as a result of your carelessness.
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Cover for stolen or lost passports and baggage.
Conclusion
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I hope that has helped you to get something sorted out. It's better to have travel insurance and if you are young and fit, you can get insurance from £7 for a week's trip through Travel Supermarket which let's face it, is not much more than a coffee.
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Cheers, Nigel Clarkson - Let's Go Menorca