Merkur / HanseMerkur
Merkur / HanseMerkur is a travel insurance for the AT market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
In the Premium tariff, HanseMerkur pays 100% of treatment costs directly without requiring prior reimbursement from the statutory health insurance fund; no deductible applies. In the Sorglos tariff, a 20% deductible applies if costs are not first submitted to the statutory/private health insurer.
Geographic scope
worldwide
Worldwide; within Austria only for trips with at least one booked overnight stay and a destination more than 50 km from the insured person's place of residence
Starting from
€89
Unique selling points
- Inpatient treatment costs abroad are covered at 100% with no upper limit in the Premium tariff — unlimited hospitalization coverage worldwide.
- Zero deductible in the Premium tariff: HanseMerkur pays 100% of medical costs immediately without requiring prior submission to statutory health insurance.
- Worldwide 24/7 emergency assistance hotline (+43 1 315-2444) available every day including Sundays and public holidays, with German-speaking doctors and direct care coordination.
- Jahres-Reiseschutz Premium covers unlimited trips per year (up to 62 days each) for a flat annual premium starting from EUR 89 — ideal for frequent travellers and families.
- The ÖGVS has repeatedly named HanseMerkur Austria's top-rated travel insurer, and the product has been consistently ranked number one since 2016.
Coverage limits
Medical treatment costs (outpatient and inpatient)
Covered
Outpatient treatments: 100% reimbursed. Inpatient treatments: 100% reimbursed (unlimited in Premium tariff; up to 300,000 EUR in Sorglos tariff). Medications and dressings: 100% reimbursed.
SourceEmergency medical treatment (inpatient, unlimited in Premium)
Covered
Inpatient medical treatments abroad are covered at 100% with no upper limit in the Reiseschutz Premium tariff. Free choice of doctor is included.
SourceInpatient hospitalization costs
Covered
Inpatient hospital treatment costs abroad covered at 100% with no upper limit in the Premium tariff. Hotel costs for the insured person up to 4,000 EUR; hotel costs for co-insured persons also included at 100%.
SourceOutpatient medical treatments
Covered
Outpatient treatments abroad are covered at 100% with free choice of doctor in both the Sorglos and Premium tariffs.
SourceEmergency dental treatment
Covered
Dental treatments abroad are covered at 100% in both Sorglos and Premium tariffs.
SourceMedical transport (ambulance, hospital transfer)
Covered
Transport to a hospital and accommodation costs for hospital transfers are covered at 100%. Return transport from hospital to accommodation is also included at 100%.
SourceEmergency evacuation / repatriation transport (incl. air ambulance)
Covered
Emergency transport including air ambulance (Ambulanzjet) to a hospital at the insured person's home location is covered at 100%. Child repatriation by a caregiver is also covered at 100%.
SourceRepatriation of mortal remains / funeral costs abroad
Covered
Repatriation of mortal remains or funeral costs abroad are covered at 100% in both Sorglos and Premium tariffs.
SourceSearch and rescue costs
Covered
Rescue/recovery costs (Bergungskosten) are covered up to 80,000 EUR in the Storno- & Reiseschutz Premium and Reiseschutz Premium tariffs (under travel accident insurance). Sorglos tariff covers up to 20,000 EUR.
SourceCOVID-19 treatment costs
Covered
COVID-19 treatment costs abroad are included in the Premium tariff (contracts concluded after 09.01.2024 already include Corona travel protection). Covered under general medical expenses as medically necessary treatment.
SourcePre-existing / chronic conditions
Conditional
The Premium variant is specifically recommended for persons with chronic illnesses. If an existing condition acutely worsens during travel, the Premium tariff covers the resulting costs. Acute deterioration of a pre-existing condition is a covered event in the Premium tariff for travel interruption.
SourceWinter sports / ski accident coverage
Covered
Winter sports accidents are covered under the travel medical insurance (treatment costs) and travel accident insurance (rescue costs up to 80,000 EUR). Search and rescue costs for mountain/ski accidents are explicitly included in the travel accident module.
SourceAdventure / active sports coverage
Conditional
The travel medical and accident insurance cover injuries from active/adventure sports during travel. The policy is specifically recommended for active holidays with higher accident risk. Specific exclusions for extreme sports are governed by the AVB VB-RKS 2025 (JRV-A).
SourcePregnancy complications and childbirth abroad
Conditional
Costs for medically necessary treatment of pregnancy complications abroad are covered under general medical expenses. Costs for necessary medical treatment of a newborn child born abroad are also covered.
SourcePersonal liability insurance (travel)
Covered
Personal liability for everyday life hazards during travel up to 1,000,000 EUR in the Premium tariff. Rental property damage (Mietsachschäden) up to 25,000 EUR.
SourceLegal assistance during travel
Covered
Assistance with criminal prosecution matters is included under the worldwide 24h Reise-Assistance service. Help with loss of travel documents and payment means is also included.
SourceWorldwide 24/7 emergency hotline assistance
Covered
Worldwide 24-hour emergency hotline reachable at +43 1 315-2444, available around the clock including Sundays and public holidays. Covers assistance in emergencies, contacting German-speaking doctors, help with criminal prosecution, loss of documents and means of payment.
SourceKey conditions
Assistance call deadline
There is no explicit deadline stated in the sources for when to call the assistance hotline. However, it is strongly recommended to contact the 24h emergency line (+43 1 315-2444) before seeking treatment abroad to coordinate care and ensure direct payment. In the Premium tariff, 100% is paid immediately without requiring prior health insurance submission.
Unauthorized treatment
In the Sorglos tariff, a 20% deductible applies to outpatient treatment costs if the claim is not first submitted to the statutory or private health insurer, or if those insurers do not pay. In the Premium tariff (Reiseschutz Premium), 100% is paid immediately with no deductible and no prior health fund submission required.
Purchase while abroad
If the contract is concluded after the start of a trip, insurance cover applies only for subsequent trips, not the current trip. For travel medical insurance, cover begins at the border crossing out of Austria (or the country of residence). The contract can be concluded at any time before departure.
Chronic conditions
The Premium tariff is specifically recommended for persons with chronic illnesses. Acute deterioration of a pre-existing or chronic condition during travel is a covered insured event in the Premium tariff (for both medical costs and travel interruption).
Pregnancy
Medically necessary treatment of pregnancy complications abroad is covered under general medical expenses. Costs for necessary medical treatment of a newborn child born abroad during the trip are also covered under the travel health insurance.
pre_existing_conditions
Acute worsening of a pre-existing condition is a covered event in the Premium tariff. In general, medical treatment costs for acute illness onset or worsening abroad are covered. Specific exclusions for known, expected conditions may apply per AVB VB-RKS 2025 (JRV-A).
coverage_duration_limit
Maximum trip duration per individual trip is 62 days. The annual policy covers unlimited trips within 365 days (from contract start date, not calendar year). If a trip extends beyond 62 days, coverage obligations only apply for the first 62 days of that trip. If the insurance year ends during a trip, cover continues only if the contract is not cancelled.
Where to buy
Documents
AVB Jahres-Reiseversicherung VB-RKS 2025 (JRV-A) – Download Center HanseMerkur Österreich
terms_and_conditions
Preis- und Leistungsübersicht Jahresschutz Pakete (Sorglos & Premium) – VB-RKS 2024 (JRV-A)
benefits_table
Informationspflichten Jahres-Reiseschutz Premium – Merkur Versicherung Österreich
other
Policy specifics
Travel health insurance
Medical expenses coverage for travels abroad up to 62 days per trip
Travel accident insurance
Coverage for accidents during travel with liability protection
Travel baggage insurance
Coverage for lost, damaged or delayed luggage during travel
Travel interruption protection
100% reimbursement if travel is cancelled in first half (max 8 days); partial reimbursement if cancelled after day 9
Transport delay and connection protection
Coverage for missed connections and delays in transport during travel
Maximum trip duration
Maximum of 62 days per single trip within annual coverage period
No deductible in Premium tariff
Premium tariff includes zero deductible for foreign treatment costs
Worldwide coverage
Jahres-Reiseschutz Premium provides coverage globally for all trips
Family coverage option
Coverage for up to 7 persons: max 2 adults and children up to completion of 25th year