EUROPA Travel insurance (Travel Medical Erk)

Entry-level annual premium starting from just 12 EUR for individuals up to age 64.

For longer trips, the 56-day cover can be topped up with the separate ERK-V tariff to a total trip length of up to 365 days (up to 90 days for travellers aged 65 and over), even while already abroad.

Rated 'very good' for claims handling by market research institute ServiceValue on behalf of Focus Money (January 2024).

Dedicated, separately priced tariff for travelers aged 65 and above.

Assistance call deadline

Every hospital treatment must be reported to the insurer without undue delay; in case of inability to travel, the underlying illness must also be reported without delay together with a medical certificate. Breaching these duties can lead to a full or partial loss of benefit under § 28 VVG.

Section: A) Allgemeine Bestimmungen > II. Pflichten des Versicherungsnehmers > 2. Obliegenheiten

Jede Krankenhausbehandlung ist unverzüglich anzuzeigen.

Unauthorized treatment

The insurer can refuse or reduce benefits if the policyholder breaches duties such as the obligation to report hospital treatment or inability to travel without undue delay, per § 28 (2)-(4) VVG; an intentional breach can mean no benefit, a grossly negligent breach a proportional reduction.

Section: A) Allgemeine Bestimmungen > II. Pflichten des Versicherungsnehmers > 3. Folgen von Obliegenheitsverletzungen

Der Versicherer ist mit den in § 28 Abs. 2 bis 4 VVG (siehe Anhang) vorgeschriebenen Einschränkungen ganz oder teilweise von der Verpflichtung zur Leistung frei, wenn eine der in Abschnitt A II 2 genannten Obliegenheiten verletzt wird.

Purchase while abroad

The contract must be concluded before departure; if it is concluded during a trip abroad, cover starts only with the next new trip abroad.

Section: A) Allgemeine Bestimmungen > I. Der Versicherungsschutz > 3. Abschluss, Beginn und Dauer des Versicherungsvertrages

Der Versicherungsvertrag muss vor Antritt der Auslandsreise abgeschlossen werden. Bei Versicherungsverträgen, die erst nach Beginn einer Auslandsreise abgeschlossen werden, besteht Versicherungsschutz erst ab dem Antritt einer neuen Auslandsreise.

Chronic conditions

Treatment of an acute worsening of a chronic pre-existing condition during the trip is covered as an insured event. Not covered: treatment known at departure to be required during the trip (unless the trip was necessary due to the death of a spouse/registered partner or a first-degree relative), and illnesses for whose treatment the trip abroad was undertaken.

Section: A) Allgemeine Bestimmungen > I. Der Versicherungsschutz > 1. Gegenstand, Umfang und Geltungsbereich des Versicherungsschutzes

medizinisch notwendige Behandlungen wegen akut eingetretenen Verschlechterungen von chronischen Vorerkrankungen

Pregnancy

Not specified in the reviewed sources.

Pre-existing condition exclusions

Treatment of an acute worsening of a chronic pre-existing condition during the trip is covered as an insured event. Not covered: treatment known at departure to be required during the trip (unless the trip was necessary due to the death of a spouse/registered partner or a first-degree relative), and illnesses for whose treatment the trip abroad was undertaken.

Section: A) Allgemeine Bestimmungen > I. Der Versicherungsschutz > 1. Gegenstand, Umfang und Geltungsbereich des Versicherungsschutzes

medizinisch notwendige Behandlungen wegen akut eingetretenen Verschlechterungen von chronischen Vorerkrankungen

Coverage duration limit

The base ERK-56 tariff covers each trip abroad for up to 56 days (8 weeks); the separate ERK-V tariff extends coverage flexibly up to 365 days in total, or up to 90 days for travelers aged 65 and over.

Direct payment

The policy conditions (AVB) of EUROPA Versicherung AG's travel medical tariffs (ERK-56/ERK-V) describe a reimbursement model rather than direct settlement with providers: the insurer pays the insured person directly upon submission of the required proof, and is only obliged to pay once original cost receipts/invoices are provided. The insurer's own claims process confirms this — policyholders must submit the completed claim form together with original invoices by post (or email) to EUROPA Versicherung AG for reimbursement after treatment, rather than having the insurer settle directly with the hospital or clinic at the time of treatment.