• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Insurance Information

Sallyann1966

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
September 2017
Hi, I'm in the UK. I'm doing my Camino in September and would like some advice on the sort of travel insurance I should get.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I have purchased Allianz Global Assistance. I have never had a claim, so I don't know if they are any good. The Better Business Bureau rates them A+.

Consumer Reports, a notoriously reliable publication for consumers says:

How to buy
Instead of buying a policy through a travel agent or booking site, go to an online broker such as InsureMyTrip.com, which sells coverage from 21 carriers, including CSA Travel Protection, MedJet Assist, and Travelex. Before you buy, talk to a sales rep at the insurer, get a sample copy of the policy, ask if your specific concerns are covered, and make the agent point to the words in the fine print that prove coverage. For medical policies, be sure to ask about coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Don’t buy travel insurance from a tour operator or cruise line because the coverage might be worthless if the company goes bankrupt, advises the American Society of Travel Agents. Hunter says it’s not a good idea to buy it from a travel agent, because he or she might be hawking a policy that pays the highest sales commission rather than the best one for you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi, I'm in the UK. I'm doing my Camino in September and would like some advice on the sort of travel insurance I should get.
What do you want insurance to cover and what is missing from your existing coverage? Personally I am not interested in paying for insurance against trip interruption, cancellation or lost luggage. I am willing and able to take the risk of losing some or all of that. I have excellent medical coverage through another plan, including international medical assistance and transportation home, so I don't purchase anything more.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I have purchased Allianz Global Assistance. I have never had a claim, so I don't know if they are any good. The Better Business Bureau rates them A+.

Consumer Reports, a notoriously reliable publication for consumers says:

How to buy
Instead of buying a policy through a travel agent or booking site, go to an online broker such as InsureMyTrip.com, which sells coverage from 21 carriers, including CSA Travel Protection, MedJet Assist, and Travelex. Before you buy, talk to a sales rep at the insurer, get a sample copy of the policy, ask if your specific concerns are covered, and make the agent point to the words in the fine print that prove coverage. For medical policies, be sure to ask about coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Don’t buy travel insurance from a tour operator or cruise line because the coverage might be worthless if the company goes bankrupt, advises the American Society of Travel Agents. Hunter says it’s not a good idea to buy it from a travel agent, because he or she might be hawking a policy that pays the highest sales commission rather than the best one for you.

I just purchased my travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance through my travel agent, AAA of So. California. I told her what I needed, got a good price, then went home and read - word for word - the whole policy to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. AAA is, I believe, a very reputable company and I doubt they would hurt their integrity by working with shoddy travel insurance companies, though I could be wrong. My hope is to not have to use it, but it gives me peace of mind.
 
I have used Allianz Global Assistance for many trips in a few countries, also purchased through my travel agent at AAA of So. California. On the Camino Frances last spring, I became very, very ill with an intestinal bacteria, and had to go to a hospital in Palencia. Allianz was VERY helpful in my finding a doctor in Fromista and then Carrion de las Condes, and when it was determined that I needed to be treated at the hospital, I called Allianz, told then the hospital I was being taken to, and they contacted the hospital and arranged for a "guarantee of payment" before I even got there...really helped me focus on recovery. I was back walking 24 hours later. And then Allianz followed up a few times to make sure I was all right. I hope I never have to use insurance, but I am grateful that Allianz was so good when I needed them. As I said, they took care of things so I could focus on getting well and back on the road.

I'll use them again when I return to walk the Camino Frances in September.

--jim--
 
Covermore insurance has a UK office and is a well respected company specialising in travel insurance .
My family and I were stranded in Paris [ dreadful :) ] for almost ten days extra during the eruption of Mt . Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland and the subsequent air travel ban .
We were on the sky bridge at Charles de Gaulle when the ban was implemented , our luggage was already checked in and we had only our cabin bags and the clothes we stood in . This company paid for our accommodation , extra clothing , transfers , re booking flights and a dozen other requirements without a murmur , and most importantly was easy to contact .
The measure of any Insurance company is how you are treated when making a claim rather than the premium or the polite way they accept your payment .
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
I had to arrange insurance that allowed me to be away for more than 30 days at one time. I was away for 36 and mine didn't allow
that time length as an insurable risk. Found a broker who sorted it quickly for me (here in Ireland).

Daughter had iPhone stolen in Santiago. No problem with claim once procedures with police were followed.
 
I use TripInsuranceStore.com and have had two claims, both of which were taken care of easily. You choose the product that fits your trip/budget the best. The staff is available to help choose plans. It's a US company, so not sure if that works for other nationalities.
 
Hi @Sallyann1966, UK travel insurance policies are fairly straightforward and inexpensive. You can choose a single-trip policy, or an annual multi-trip policy, covering all your trips in a year. Annual policies can be very cost-effective, but check that the maximum trip duration covered by the policy is long enough for your Camino.

I'd suggest that medical expenses (including repatriation costs), cancellation & curtailment and loss of baggage are the most important covers for a British citizen traveling within the EU. These covers (plus a few more) are included as standard on many policies. I too have an Allianz (UK) policy. My maximum trip duration is 31 days - more than enough for me (unfortunately!), but it can apparently be extended if needed.

It's really easy to buy travel insurance online, but make sure that you answer all of the health-related questions very carefully to avoid problems with cover (especially for pre-existing conditions).
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I would recommend speaking with a person. From my experience, each plan has little nuances and brochures and insurance policies are long and tedious to read. Make sure the plan covers you for your needs. You may want protection from lost or stolen items or want coverage to evacuate in the event of a natural disaster. If you are taking medication or have a chronic condition, then make sure your plan has pre-existing condition coverage.
 
does the e111 form not cover you adequately??? From an experience I had a while ago the Spanish hospitals seem ok
 
Hi, I'm in the UK. I'm doing my Camino in September and would like some advice on the sort of travel insurance I should get.
The aformentioned INSUREANDGO have been excellent for my family. They covered my wifes epilepsy and paid out promptly for a claim in canada when my daughter hit a tree in Whistler. The Canadians also did not charge for the tree which was a plus:-!
The majority of medical issues will be covered by an E111 card. jus make sure you get a receipt for any Hospital treatments so you can claim back from Either your Insurance company or UK dept of Health.
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
does the e111 form not cover you adequately??? From an experience I had a while ago the Spanish hospitals seem ok

Hola - the European Health Card basically entitles holders to be treated in the same way as citizens of the European country being visited are treated. The biggest exclusion is it does not cover the cost of repatriation to your home country.
I agree that the Spanish health service is excellent.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Have made numerous trips to continent..using Allianz! Last year I needed to use Allianz and there AAA rating was consistent with my experience of them! THey were very helpful and reimbursed me for delays, medical coverage, etc. Make sure you read your policy, as with any insurance to know what is covered! Can reach them 24 hours for emergency!
 
does the e111 form not cover you adequately??? From an experience I had a while ago the Spanish hospitals seem ok

For illness yes.

For repatriation (living or dead) no.

For your upset/grieving family €$£¥
 
Hi Donal,O' Mahoney. I am also from Ireland and travelling on 18th may to SJPP. Can you tell me which broker or insurance company you used? I realise that the E111 only covers treatment and not repatriation or other stuff
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
For illness yes.

For repatriation (living or dead) no.

For your upset/grieving family €$£¥

of course yes repatriation is not covered under e111. It all depends on your circumstances, It is worth considering the likelihood of requiring repatriation, your health, weather you are putting your luggage in the hold of the plane etc. beforehand. A lot of money is made from fear.....
 
I am a UK resident. I am also very fortunate in that I can travel more or less at will and at very short notice. As I may make several trips to Europe in a year I find an annual travel insurance policy which covers medical treatment and repatriation is ideal for me and not expensive. I am not especially concerned about cover for cancellations, valuables and the rest but my policy provides some cover for these too. My current policy covers me for an unlimited number of journeys each year, with an upper time limit of 35 days per trip. More than enough for me. I am male and 54 years old. For pan-European cover I paid a little over £13 for annual cover. Despite the benefits provided by the EHIC card I feel it would be foolish to risk travelling without insurance cover, especially when the cost is relatively low. For those who are UK-based a few minutes searching on one of the comparison websites such as moneysupermarket or comparethemarket should produce dozens of quotes. Just be sure that the cover offered matches your needs - especially on the expected duration of your journey.
 

Most read last week in this forum

Hi Caminantes, My wife and I are leaving for Madrid from Brisbane - AU on May 4th to walk the Frances. We are flying with Qatar. I am a bit worried that if I check in my backpacks, they have a...
Hi all, Im walking my first Camino in April (CF) and was wondering if it would be likely for me to encounter leeches? I know for most people leeches are not a big deal but they are in plague...
In past years, when we walked from Samos to Sarria, there was simply a yellow arrow that went off to the right of the highway, up a hill, past a pig farm then a sharp left turn at a small church...
Are you also interested to know the reasons why other fellow pilgrims choose to walk El Camino? Please participate in the poll!
Several local websites have reported a small earthquake this afternoon with an epicentre in the Sarria area. Apparently felt quite strongly locally but with little likelihood of property damage...
Hello!! I am a retired Spanish gentleman living in Madrid. My name is Jose and I would like to do the Camino de Santiago again!!! But this time I would like to walk and improve my English Level...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top