Overview
- A German tourist in Mauritius had to pay upfront for urgent care until her travel insurer intervened, showing that public coverage often reimburses only local EU-standard rates or offers no benefit outside EU or social-security agreement countries.
- Recommended policies should offer unlimited treatment coverage, no deductibles, repatriation when medically necessary or advisable, and protection for sports injuries.
- Basic single-trip plans start around €8–10 per person and €19 for families, with annual or long-stay options offering broader protection for modest premiums.
- Trip cancellation or interruption coverage can be worth it for expensive vacations, whereas baggage, liability, accident, and legal protection insurance often duplicates existing policies.
- Smart payment strategies include using a Girocard within Europe and a fee-free credit card globally, avoiding dynamic currency conversion, and steering clear of airport or hotel exchange services.