Holiday booked – but what are you actually insured for?
A missed flight, an accident abroad or a breakdown with a rental car: when you travel, things don’t always go to plan. Who covers the costs in those moments depends on your personal situation. Existing insurance policies already cover quite a lot when you travel, but they do have their limits. That’s why it’s important for insured persons to know where there are gaps in their current cover. We’ll show you what existing insurance covers when you travel, where it reaches its limits, and how to close those gaps in a sensible way.
What your health insurer really covers abroad
Basic insurance covers you beyond Switzerland’s borders too, but only up to a point. Within the EU, EFTA and the UK, it covers the costs of medically necessary treatment. This is made possible by the European Health Insurance Card on the back of your insurance card. Outside these countries, for example in the USA, Thailand or Japan, basic insurance pays at most twice what comparable treatment would cost in Switzerland. Your deductible and co-payment also apply abroad.
The key gap: basic insurance does not cover medical repatriation to Switzerland. Yet this can quickly become the biggest cost factor. Repatriation from overseas can easily cost up to CHF 100,000.
These gaps can be closed with supplementary products. Our partners KPT and Zurich offer solutions tailored specifically to travel needs: from 24/7 immediate assistance in case of illness and expensive treatment costs to organised repatriation. The best way to find out which option suits your trip and life situation is in a personal consultation.
Where accident insurance reaches its limits in an emergency
If you have an accident abroad, your accident insurance applies – whether it’s through your employer (UVG) or via your health insurer. Which one is responsible in your case depends on your employment situation. You can find out more about accident cover in our latest blog post.
Treatment costs after an accident are generally covered, including hospital stays, operations, medication and follow-up treatment. Within the EU, EFTA and the UK, these costs are covered directly. Outside these countries, as with health insurance, cover is limited to a maximum of twice the costs that would be incurred in Switzerland.
It gets trickier with rescue and transport costs. These are insured too, but only up to a statutory maximum of one fifth of the insured annual salary, capped at CHF 29,640. In the case of a rescue in remote regions or a medically accompanied repatriation from overseas, this amount can be used up quickly.
This is exactly where supplementary solutions come in. With the right supplementary insurance, recovery, search and repatriation are covered regardless of the statutory maximum. The sum insured and insurance solution that make sense for you depend on your destination and activity profile. Our advisors will be happy to help you find the right balance.
What other risks common policies still leave uncovered
Besides health risks, there are other travel scenarios that can quickly become expensive.
Theft while travelling: If your household contents insurance includes the add-on “simple theft away from home”, you’re protected worldwide against the loss of personal belongings, including luggage. Without this add-on, household contents insurance does not apply outside your own four walls. That’s why it’s worth checking your current policy before you leave.
Breakdown or rental car: A car breakdown abroad often means not only stress but also unexpected costs for roadside assistance, towing, a replacement vehicle or, in the worst case, the journey home. Many car insurance policies do not include comprehensive assistance benefits. With rental vehicles, protection also depends heavily on the provider. A specific add-on cover such as motor vehicle assistance closes these gaps and, depending on the product, applies with your own car in Europe and even worldwide with a rental car.
Trip cancellation: If you have to cancel your holiday at short notice due to illness, accident, job loss or a natural event, cancellation fees are usually not covered by existing insurance and can amount to almost the full travel price shortly before departure. Trip cancellation insurance covers these costs and, depending on the product, can also include missed flights or non-refundable tickets and subscriptions.
Which of these additional benefits are relevant for you depends on your travel habits, your destination and your existing insurance cover. At simply, we’re happy to take the time to review your personal cover with you and add protection exactly where there are gaps.
Fact sheet on outpatient supplementary insurance 