ERGO Hestia
ERGO Hestia is a travel insurance for the PL market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
ERGO Hestia organises and directly pays for medical assistance through the 24/7 Emergency Centre (Centrum Alarmowe) in a cashless manner. If the Emergency Centre could not organise a benefit, ERGO Hestia reimburses documented costs up to the applicable limit. The insured must notify ERGO Hestia before incurring treatment costs exceeding PLN 2,000.
Geographic scope
PL
Three zones: (a) Europe including Mediterranean Basin countries (excluding Syria and country of residence); (b) World excluding USA, Canada, China, Japan, Antarctica, DPRK, Syria; (c) Whole World excluding Antarctica, DPRK, Syria and country of residence. For short-term policies: per selected regional zone. For annual policies: Variant I & II = World excl. USA/Canada/China/Japan; Variant III = Whole World.
Unique selling points
- Medical expenses coverage reaches up to PLN 3,000,000 in Variant III, with transport and evacuation costs not reducing the insured sum – a significant advantage over minimum market standards.
- 11 common chronic conditions (including diabetes, hypertension, and asthma) are automatically covered in the base policy without any extension, provided the insured is under medical care and following treatment recommendations.
- Cashless medical assistance is organised 24/7 through the Emergency Centre, which directly coordinates hospital selection, transport, and payment with medical facilities abroad on behalf of the insured.
- Coverage automatically extends by 48 hours at no extra cost when return travel is delayed due to transport failure, adverse weather, or other circumstances beyond the insured's control.
- Mountain and maritime search-and-rescue costs are fully covered within the overall medical expenses sum insured (up to PLN 3,000,000), and personal liability cover extends to damage caused by minor children and domestic animals.
Coverage limits
Medical Assistance and Treatment Costs
Covered
Covers organisation and payment of necessary and immediate medical assistance costs through the Emergency Centre in case of sudden illness or accident during travel. Includes outpatient treatment, hospitalisation, medications, orthopaedic aids, dressings prescribed by a doctor, emergency dental treatment (up to PLN 2,000), repair or purchase of glasses and repair of prostheses (up to PLN 2,000), and 24/7 telephone duty of the Emergency Centre. Sum insured: Variant I – PLN 200,000; Variant II – PLN 500,000; Variant III – PLN 3,000,000. Transport costs do not reduce the sum insured.
SourceEmergency Medical Treatment
Covered
Covers hospital treatment, medical procedures and operations that could not be postponed until return to Poland or country of residence. The Emergency Centre selects the appropriate hospital, organises transport, informs the hospital about payment conditions, and stays in continuous contact with the hospital. Covered within the overall medical expenses sum insured (PLN 200,000 – PLN 3,000,000 depending on variant).
SourceHospitalisation
Covered
Inpatient hospital treatment, procedures, and surgery whose performance could not be deferred until return to Poland or country of residence are covered within the medical expenses sum insured. The insured must also be provided hotel accommodation with meals if transport cannot take place immediately after treatment ends (covered under Podróż Assistance).
SourceOutpatient Treatment
Covered
Covers outpatient diagnostic examinations and medical procedures, medical consultations and visits, medications (excluding vitamins, supplements, nutrients, cosmetic ointments and creams), orthopaedic aids, infusion fluids and dressings prescribed by the treating doctor. Covered within the overall medical expenses sum insured.
SourceEmergency Dental Treatment
Covered
Emergency dental treatment is covered as part of the medical assistance benefit up to PLN 2,000 per insured person per insurance period. Routine, diagnostic or non-emergency dental treatment is excluded.
SourceMedical Transport
Covered
Covers: transport from the scene of the accident to the nearest or Emergency Centre-indicated medical facility; transport to another medical facility abroad if the insured's condition requires it; transport of the insured after completing treatment to the place of accommodation; return transport to the place of residence if required by health condition and return cannot be made by planned means; return transport of minor children or dependent persons left without adult supervision; in case of death – cremation, transport of remains or ashes to country of residence, or burial abroad, regardless of cause; return transport to place of residence where return cannot occur due to mandatory quarantine. Transport costs do not reduce the insured sum.
SourceMedical Evacuation
Covered
Medical evacuation is organised and decided by the Emergency Centre, which takes into account the insured's health condition after consultation with the treating physician abroad. The decision on the appropriateness, timing, method and feasibility of transport rests solely with the Emergency Centre. If the insured refuses transport to continue treatment in Poland or country of residence, despite the Emergency Centre and treating doctor approving such transport, ERGO Hestia ceases to cover further costs abroad for that event.
SourceRepatriation of Remains
Covered
In the event of death of the insured, ERGO Hestia covers cremation, transport of remains or ashes to the country of residence, or burial abroad – regardless of the cause of death. Additionally, the cost of purchasing a coffin or urn is covered up to PLN 5,000 (all variants, under Podróż Assistance). Transport costs do not reduce the insured sum.
SourceSearch and Rescue
Covered
Covered as the 'Ratownictwo' component of medical assistance in all three variants. Includes: searches conducted by specialist rescue services; medical assistance at the scene of the accident; transport (including air or maritime) from the scene of the accident to the nearest medical facility. Covered within the overall medical expenses sum insured (PLN 200,000 – PLN 3,000,000 depending on variant). This includes mountain and maritime rescue.
SourceCOVID-19 Treatment and Quarantine
Covered
Coverage includes sudden COVID-19 illness treatment costs within the overall medical expenses sum insured. Additionally, mandatory quarantine costs (hotel accommodation with meals and return transport to place of residence) are covered up to PLN 10,000 per insured in all three variants, under the Podróż Assistance component. Voluntary or border-crossing quarantine imposed by local authorities is excluded.
SourcePre-existing and Chronic Conditions
Conditional
Certain diagnosed chronic diseases and metabolic disorders are covered without purchasing any extension, provided the insured was under a doctor's care and following the treating doctor's recommendations at the time of the insurance contract. These conditions include: allergy, bronchial asthma, all types of diabetes, depression, herniated disc (dyskopatia), insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and obesity. All other chronic diseases require the optional 'Choroby przewlekłe' extension. If after Emergency Centre assistance commences it is established that the insured was not following the doctor's recommendations, or the benefit was provided in connection with a different chronic disease, ERGO Hestia reserves the right to seek reimbursement of costs incurred.
SourceWinter Sports Cover (Sport extension)
Optional
Skiing on marked trails, snowboarding on marked trails, and ski-related winter sports are classified as 'risky disciplines' requiring the 'Sport' extension (rozszerzenie: Sport) for accident coverage. Without this extension, skiing and snowboarding on marked trails are not covered. Skiing off marked trails (freeride) and heliboarding/heliskiing require the extreme sports extension 'Sport wyczynowy'. Available in all three variants for an additional premium.
SourceAdventure and Risky Sports Cover
Optional
Risky sports disciplines (e.g. kitesurfing, horseback riding, cross-country cycling, diving up to 30m, skiing on marked trails, trekking up to 5,300m a.s.l., sailing up to 100 nautical miles) require the optional 'Sport' extension. Extreme disciplines (e.g. base jumping, paragliding, skydiving, mountaineering above 5,300m, rafting, rugby) require the 'Sport wyczynowy' extension. Basic recreational sports (e.g. jogging, cycling on roads and paths, swimming, tennis, hiking) are included in the base coverage without any extension. Both extensions are available in all three variants for an additional premium.
SourcePregnancy Complications
Conditional
Childbirth is covered only if it occurs before the 32nd week of pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy is covered only if performed to save the life or health of the insured woman and if the procedure is permitted by the law of the country where it is performed. Planned treatment related to pregnancy that began before travel is excluded. There is no specific separate sum for pregnancy; it falls within the overall medical expenses coverage.
SourcePersonal Liability (Civil Liability – OC)
Covered
Covers civil liability of the insured for bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties during travel in connection with private life activities, including: use and possession of property (including rented property, e.g. damage to sports equipment or hotel property); damage caused by minor children; damage arising from recreational sports and use of watercraft; damage arising from ownership of domestic animals (including those in the insured's care). Variant III additionally covers sports instructor professional liability (limit PLN 100,000 within the guarantee sum) and includes deductible reimbursement for damage to rented vehicles up to PLN 2,000. Guarantee sum: Variant I – PLN 200,000; Variant II – PLN 500,000; Variant III – PLN 1,000,000.
SourceLegal Assistance
Conditional
Available only in Variant III. Covers organisation and costs of legal advice, legal representation, translator, and bail mediation in the event that the insured, while abroad, comes into conflict with the law of the country of stay. Legal assistance does not apply if the matter is related to the insured's work or professional activity.
Source24/7 Assistance (Podróż Assistance)
Covered
Included in all three variants. Provides a wide range of assistance services through the Emergency Centre: care assistance (contact with relatives, sending personal items, hotel stay with meals, transport and stay of accompanying person, care for minor children and dependent persons, care for pets); translation assistance (up to PLN 1,000 all variants); travel continuation (up to PLN 2,000 all variants); driver replacement (up to PLN 4,000 all variants); business trip replacement (Variant III only, up to PLN 3,000); 48-hour coverage extension at no extra cost in case of transport breakdown, weather, or force majeure; transport delay/cancellation reimbursement (up to PLN 1,000 for delays of 5+ hours, all variants); trip interruption cover (PLN 3,000 Variants I & II; PLN 10,000 Variant III); property protection and storage in Poland in case of casualty; pet care (up to PLN 1,000); mandatory quarantine hotel and return transport (up to PLN 10,000 all variants).
SourceKey conditions
Assistance call deadline
The insured must contact the Emergency Centre (Centrum Alarmowe) immediately upon any event triggering the insurance obligation and before incurring treatment costs exceeding PLN 2,000. The Emergency Centre organises and decides all medical assistance, transport, accommodation and related services. If the Emergency Centre could not be reached and assistance was self-organised, ERGO Hestia reimburses documented costs up to applicable limits. Failure to contact the Emergency Centre without justification may result in reduction or refusal of benefits.
Unauthorized treatment
If the insured refuses transport approved by the Emergency Centre and treating doctor to continue treatment in Poland or country of residence, ERGO Hestia ceases to cover any further costs abroad related to that illness or accident. Failure to comply with doctor's or Emergency Centre's recommendations, or treatment by a family member physician, is an exclusion ground. If obligations under §23–25 are breached through wilful fault or gross negligence, ERGO Hestia may refuse payment wholly or partially if the breach affected the occurrence or extent of loss.
Purchase while abroad
Coverage begins no earlier than the day following payment of the premium or its first instalment (§4). The policy may be purchased before departure. There is no explicit provision for purchasing while already abroad under the standard terms; it is implied that coverage must be arranged before travel commences, as the insured sum and period are agreed at inception.
Chronic conditions
The following diagnosed chronic diseases and metabolic disorders are covered in the base product (Medical Assistance and Costs of Treatment, and Podróż Assistance) without any extension, provided the insured was under a doctor's care and followed the treating doctor's recommendations: allergy, bronchial asthma, all types of diabetes, depression, herniated disc (dyskopatia), insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypertension, and obesity. All other chronic diseases (e.g. coronary artery disease, arthritis, epilepsy) require the optional 'Choroby przewlekłe' extension. Chronic disease is defined as a disease condition with slow development and long duration requiring continuous or periodic treatment within the 12 months before the policy inception.
Pregnancy
Childbirth is covered only if it occurs before the 32nd week of pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy is covered only if performed to save the life or health of the insured woman and the procedure is permitted under the law of the country where performed. Treatment related to pregnancy that was the purpose of travel and treatment begun before travel are excluded.
pre_existing_conditions
Medical facilities used by the insured in the 24 months prior to policy inception must be disclosed upon request in the event of a claim (§24). Treatment begun before travel and treatment whose purpose was the trip itself are excluded (§8). For the 11 listed chronic conditions (allergy, bronchial asthma, all types of diabetes, depression, herniated disc, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypertension, obesity), base coverage applies only if the insured was under doctor's care and complying with treatment. Non-disclosure or non-compliance may result in claim reduction or refusal and ERGO Hestia may seek reimbursement of costs already paid.
coverage_duration_limit
For short-term policies: coverage lasts for the specific trip duration chosen by the policyholder. For annual (ryczałtowe) policies: coverage applies for the first 40 days of each trip starting within the policy period, ending no later than the end of the policy period. The 48-hour coverage extension applies automatically (at no extra charge) when return is delayed due to transport breakdown, weather, or other circumstances beyond the insured's control.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Chronic disease coverage
Optional extension providing coverage for consequences of chronic diseases including allergies, bronchial asthma, diabetes, herniated discs, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, thyroid disorders, hypertension, and obesity when properly diagnosed and medically supervised
Sports activities coverage
Optional extension providing accident coverage during risky sports and activities including kitesurfing, horseback riding, cross-country cycling, diving up to 30m, skiing on marked trails, mountaineering up to 5300m, and sailing up to 100 nautical miles
Terrorism and war coverage
Optional extension providing protection against consequences of unexpected war or terrorism acts in countries designated as dangerous by Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (with status 'MSZ advises against all travel')
Sports equipment coverage
Optional coverage for sports equipment protection during travel including bicycles, skis, surfboards and necessary sports accessories from accidental damage, theft, and robbery worldwide
Ski passes and course fees coverage
Optional coverage providing reimbursement of prepaid ski passes and course fees not used due to sudden illness or accidental injury during travel
Accidental death in travel coverage
Optional coverage providing benefits to beneficiaries in case of death resulting from accidents in road, air, or water transport; sum insured: 50,000 PLN
Physical work accident coverage
Optional extension providing protection against consequences of accidents during physical work, ideal for high-risk occupations such as machine operators, drivers, and construction workers
COVID-19 and quarantine coverage
Coverage for costs related to sudden COVID-19 illness and mandatory quarantine during travel including hotel accommodation with meals and return transport to home address up to 10,000 PLN
Medical expenses coverage limit
Medical Assistance and Treatment Costs coverage available in all variants with possible reimbursement up to 3 million PLN depending on variant selected
Civil liability coverage limit
Coverage for civil liability for damages caused to third parties, including damages during sports activities or from children and pets, with sum insured up to 1 million PLN
Emergency Center coordination requirement
All medical emergencies must be coordinated with ERGO Hestia's 24/7 Emergency Center for cashless medical assistance organization and authorization
Geographic exclusions - dangerous countries
Coverage excluded for countries with MSZ (Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) warnings against all travel; must have terrorism extension for countries with highest danger level
Premium payment condition precedent
Insurance coverage commences no earlier than day following premium payment; if ERGO Hestia covers period before full payment and premium is not paid in full at due date, insurer may terminate immediately
Travel commencement requirement
Coverage begins when insured person crosses border leaving country of residence to start trip; some benefits (NNW, luggage) begin at residential location
Pre-existing condition and medical history disclosure
For medical claims in accident coverage, insured must disclose medical facilities used within past 24 months and comply with treatment recommendations to mitigate consequences; must submit medical diagnoses and invoices for reimbursement
Luggage loss reporting requirement
For luggage claims from theft/loss, insured must immediately notify police in country where loss occurred and obtain official report; for airline losses, must file property irregularity report with carrier
Policy cancellation and withdrawal period
Individual customers have 30 days from policy inception date to withdraw; companies have 7 days; withdrawal notice must be submitted in writing to insurer headquarters or electronically
Claims notification timeframe
Insured must immediately notify ERGO Hestia of any event likely to trigger insurance obligation; for crimes/losses involving police, notification must occur within 24 hours of discovery
48-hour coverage extension grace period
If return to Poland/home country is delayed due to transport failure, weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond insured's control, coverage automatically extends 48 hours at no additional cost