Brimming with history and bursting with culture, France has exciting adventures aplenty. Our travel insurance for France covers over 100 different sports and activities. You can take us with you, whatever you’re doing!
What is France travel insurance and do you need it?
After Spain, France is the UK’s top holiday destination and it’s no wonder the country’s so popular. From snowboarding in the Alps to sunning yourself in the South, its varied landscapes offer so many ways to enjoy yourself!
France travel insurance covers your trips across the border. You need it because carrying the GHIC card won’t protect you from all the unforeseen events that can crop up while you’re in the country.
It may be just a short hop away, but a trip to France can have its mishaps. Paris can be a pickpocket hotspot. Meanwhile, frequent industrial action across the country can lead to disruption and delays. According to the French National Observation System for Mountain Security, skiing injuries in France have risen, with 24,132 people injured in one recent season alone.
And that’s where InsureandGo’s travel insurance for France comes in. It can help with costs for unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, stolen bags or trip cancellations. And, by adding insurance for winter sports, there won’t be any gaps in your cover to spoil your skiing holiday.
Here’s what makes travel insurance to France a true holiday essential:
- Repatriation cover: No one wants to think about getting ill or injured on holiday and having to be flown home. However, typical medical repatriation costs from France to the UK are estimated at £12,000. These unexpected expenses can leave you seriously out of pocket. And, unfortunately, they’re not covered by the GHIC or EHIC schemes.
- Cover for industrial action: France isn’t just famous for cheese and wine. Strikes can be a significant part of French working culture. That’s why our travel insurance covers you for delay and cancellation, as long as you arranged your flights and insurance before the strike was announced.
- Do more on your holiday: From water sports to leisure cycling, our France travel insurance policies cover you for over 100 popular activities at no extra cost. We also have optional extreme sports cover if you’re taking part in the more adventurous activities the country has to offer.
- Protect your valuables: Thieves and pickpockets operate on the Paris underground, RER lines and at mainline stations. Travel insurance for France can cover your personal belongings, baggage and passport. Plus, we have optional valuables cover if you’re taking away something a little more expensive.
- Cover for your pre-existing medical conditions: With no upper age limit and cover for pre-existing medical conditions, everyone can enjoy a holiday to France with InsureandGo.
Always check the latest FCDO advice for travel to France and make sure you read our policy wording. That provides full terms and conditions, including what is and isn’t included with our cover.
What does InsureandGo’s France travel insurance cover?
What’s covered?
Our travel insurance for France includes:
- Medical emergency expenses.
- Cover for cancellation of your trip.
- Our 24-hour emergency assistance team, available to call, day or night, wherever you are
- Over 100 sports and activities covered (see your policy wording for a full list of activities)
- Personal belongings and baggage cover.
- Personal money, passports and travel documents cover.
- Accommodation cover.
- Legal expenses cover.
What’s not covered?
There are some situations travel insurance will not cover. For example:
- You cannot cover events or reasons to claim which took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control
- Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
- All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip. There may, however, be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
Find out about our optional add ons for activities like extreme sports, cruises and golf. Please note: Our winter sports add on cover is only available to those under 65.
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions. Find out more about medical travel insurance.
The excess and amount of cover available varies depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. Check the policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.
The best travel insurance for France
Considering cafe-hopping in Paris or hitting the pistes in Chamonix? The best travel insurance to France covers all the activities you’ve got planned. Tailor your policy to suit your holiday with InsureandGo’s optional extras.
- Taking the kids to Disneyland? Our family travel insurance covers everyone under one policy. Plus, gadget cover can protect your most valuable items against loss.
- Hitting the slopes? If you’re under 65, you can add winter sports travel insurance to any InsureandGo policy. You get extra cover for various activities, from skiing and snowboarding to bobsleighing and tobogganing.
- Cruising the French Riviera? Sail the glistening waters of the Mediterranean worry-free. Our cruise cover protects against costs of missed port departures and cabin confinement.
- Seeing France on two-wheels? Saddle up for an adventure through rugged French terrain with insurance for your cycling holiday.
- Want to live like a local? Single trip travel insurance lets you travel to France for up to 365 days. You’ll pick up the language in no time! (Just remember that British passport holders need a longer-stay visa if you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days.)
- Planning more than one European adventure this year? Annual multi-trip insurance lets you travel as often as you want.
- Feeling active? We’ll keep you covered, whether you’re hiking in the mountains or golfing in Northern France. You can even get travel insurance for more extreme sports.
To find out what is and isn’t included in these options, read our policy wording.
Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs
| Black | Gold | Silver | |
| Medical expenses and repatriation | Unlimited | £15 million | £10 Million |
| Cancellation and curtailment | £10,000 | £7,500 | £5,000 |
| Travel delay | Up to £650 | Up to £540 | Up to £450 |
| Personal belongings | £5,000 | £2,500 | £2,000 |
| Legal Expenses | £60,000 | £50,000 | £15,000 |
| Standard Excess | Nil | £50 | £60 |
How to book travel insurance for France
We make getting a quote for France travel insurance quick and easy:
1 . Tell us a few details about your trip
Let us know where you’re going, when you’re going, and who you’re travelling with. Then tell us about any pre-existing medical conditions you wish to cover.
2. Get your France travel insurance quote
We’ll show you your quote, then all you have to do is decide if you want to buy it now or save it for later.
“So easy to get to and crammed full of culture, France is a fantastic destination for UK holidaymakers. But while getting a GHIC is a sensible idea, it won’t cover things like cancellations due to industrial action or a stolen wallet at Disneyland Paris. Our France-specific policies provide comprehensive coverage for all sorts of activities. That means you can explore the beauty of France knowing you’re fully protected.”
Russell Wallace– Travel insurance expert
What our customers have to say
Great Service And Cover
“Courtesy and assistance from ‘Hilda’ who talked me through my quote for a skydiving trip to France in May. Lovely lady and a fabulous deal giving me superb cover for the premium. Second time I have used InsureandGo. Will use them for every trip now.”
Paul
Date of experience: 12 April 2023
Our reviews speak for themselves
Looking for travel insurance to France from the UK? Join the happy customers who gave InsureandGo a four or five-star rating for our European cover.
Travel insurance for France with pre-existing medical conditions
Although the standard of healthcare in France is good, travelling with a pre-existing medical condition can be a worry. At InsureandGo, we’ll consider all medical conditions, including diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer.
Our online medical screening process is so easy, you can get a quote in no time.
You must declare your pre-existing medical conditions when you buy your France travel insurance. Otherwise, you won’t be covered if you have an emergency that’s related to your condition while you’re away.
Make sure you read more about travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, as well as our policy wording.
Frequently Asked Questions on travel insurance for France
Do you need travel insurance for France?
Although travel insurance is not compulsory for holidays to France, it’s still important. Travel insurance means you’re covered for a range of issues that could crop up on your trip, including:
- Medical expenses and hospital stays
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departure
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
How much is travel insurance for France?
France travel insurance tends to be cheaper than insurance for trips further afield. Travel to France is usually considered lower risk, so you’ll find it cheaper than insurance to the USA, for example. France is also closer to the UK in distance, so repatriation costs are lower.
However, several factors could impact how much you pay for your travel insurance to France:
- The level of policy cover you go for: At InsureandGo we offer four levels of cover – Budget, Silver, Gold and Black – so we’re sure to have a policy to suit you.
- Whether you want an annual or single trip policy: Planning on just travelling once? Then single trip travel insurance could be more cost-effective. Annual multi trip travel insurance would be more cost-effective if you travel around Europe multiple times during the year. We include France in our European travel insurance.
- Any policy add-ons you need: If you need extra protection for your gadgets or a golfing trip.
- Any pre-existing medical conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions can impact how much your France travel insurance costs. Existing health factors can increase your chance of needing emergency medical treatment while you’re away.
- Your age: Generally, travel insurance becomes more expensive as you get older.
- The length of your trip: In general, the longer you are away from home the more you’ll pay for your policy. That’s because the chance of you having to claim on your insurance for emergency healthcare or misplaced possessions increases.
Call our team on 0808 281 0594 or get a quick and easy quote online now.
Is healthcare free for tourists in France?
British citizens can apply for a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to use in France. This covers any necessary treatments in public healthcare centres or hospitals. If you have the previous EHIC card and it’s still in date, you can use it until it expires.
But having an EHIC or GHIC doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy travel insurance. Neither cover all eventualities, including any private healthcare you may need, or repatriation to get you home.
Do I need specific travel insurance for skiing in France?
Does part of your trip involve time on the slopes? Our winter sports policies provide travel insurance for skiing in France. If you’re under 65, you can add winter sports cover to any InsureandGo policy. It provides extra cover for different snow-based activities. This includes anything from skiing and snowboarding to bobsleighing and tobogganing.
Can I get assistance if I fall ill or injure myself while in France?
Yes. In the unfortunate event of needing emergency medical treatment while in France, our 24-hour assistance team are always on hand to help you. All our travel insurance policyholders can contact our specialised team.
Do I need travel insurance for Paris, France?
Travel insurance is a great idea wherever you’re planning on visiting France, but in Paris it’s essential.
Large cities like Paris can mean an increased chance of losing items such as your phone or camera through theft (or on the rides at Disneyland Paris). Having France travel insurance will cover your lost items. This means you don’t have to worry about what will happen if something goes wrong.
Do I need a visa to visit France?
If you’re a British citizen with a valid passport, then you won’t need to apply for a visa to visit France.
UK tourists can visit France for up to 90 days without needing a visa. If you have plans to stay longer, you will need to apply for a longer-stay visa or a residence permit.
You may also have to show proof of where you intend to stay. For example, a hotel booking or an ‘attestation d’accueil’ (welcome invitation) if you’re staying with family or friends.
You can find more information about visas and entry requirements for France here.
What do I need if I’m driving in France?
Taking your car to France is a great way to see more of what the country has to offer. If you’re taking your own car, your UK car insurance should cover you third party to drive in France. You don’t need to carry an additional International Driving Permit.
There are some other rules and regulations that you need to be aware of when driving in France.
- Like all EU countries, the French drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- Drivers must be at least 18 years old and in possession of a full UK driving licence..
- You must have insurance, passports and vehicle registration documents (such as a V5C) to hand.
- Your car will need a GB sticker if it doesn’t have EU number plates.
- To avoid any potential fines, always carry a warning triangle, spare bulbs, a traffic triangle, breathalyser tests, snow chains, headlight deflector stickers and reflective jackets. Buying a French driving kit before you go ensures you have all you need.
- Displaying a Crit’Air (clean air) sticker is mandatory when travelling to certain French cities.
Who can buy an InsureandGo France travel insurance policy?
All our France travel insurance for policies are available to UK residents. This means:
- Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
- They must be in the UK at the time of purchase
- All trips must start and end in the UK
Unfortunately, we can’t provide cover to anyone who doesn’t fit this description.
Get a quote online or browse our policy documents for more information.
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Frequently asked questions
If you’ve got more questions about how our France travel insurance works, or more general travel insurance queries, have a read through our FAQs.
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