Travel Insurance for the Camino de Santiago

Travel Insurance for the Camino

Purchasing the right Travel Insurance for the Camino de Santiago is essential.  Travel insurance will help you to minimize the financial risks in case of illness, accidents, theft, lost luggage and emergencies when you are travelling. So, get Travel Insurance for the Camino!

Research the types of Travel Insurance coverage for the Camino Routes before you travel to any destination: Camino Frances, Camino Portugues, etc… Policies will vary regarding what is included in a travel insurance package. Does it include medical cover? Does it include baggage insurance? Does it have flight cover? These are the questions you should ask when purchasing travel insurance for your Camino tour.

Basic Travel Insurance coverage generally includes the following:

• Emergency medical care abroad, personal accident, out-patient medical expenses, repatriation (Sometimes).
• When things go wrong with your travel plans: If the trip is cancelled, you miss your departure, if there’s any travel delay, or if you lose your luggage, travel home care.
• Losing money, passport and other essential items: including lost passport expenses, lost money, cover personal liability and legal costs.

Depending on where you are travelling, your health insurance may not include travel medical coverage. Be sure to check with your provider before you travel abroad. Remember, if you have any medical conditions, such as allergies, talk to your doctor before your trip to the Camino de Santiago.

Ensure that you have sufficient supplies for your journey and take the necessary precautions before attempting to walk the Camino. European travellers can also use their European Medical Card to access health care in other European countries.

What must you know before buying Travel Insurance for the Camino?

We have teamed up with Nick Pound from international travel insurance provider WorldNomads this week. We asked Nick to answer some essential questions before buying your travel insurance for the Camino de Santiago walking or cycling holiday.

Customers need to know what they are covered for when buying travel insurance. No travel insurance policy will cover ‘everything’, so they must read the policy terms and conditions to know exactly what is and isn’t covered. Travel insurance should cover medical expenses should you become seriously ill or injured while travelling, and it should also include cover for medical repatriation. Ideally, a basic travel insurance policy should also cover theft of valuables, damage to Camino baggage transfers and cancellations or interruptions to travel plans. Of course, it’s up to you to read the policy terms and conditions to ensure the cover suits your needs. Travel Insurance: What do you need to know?

Are there different types of travel insurance for walking tours in Europe available depending on where you are from?

The Travel Insurance for the Camino provided by your policy may vary depending on where you are from, that is, your country of permanent residence. World Nomads policies can cover Camino walking tours, but there may be restrictions on the altitude and terrain you will be walking in. Read 10 great reasons to walk the Camino.

When I purchase travel insurance, do I receive an insurance certificate?

Yes, your Travel Insurance certificate will be available after purchasing a policy.

How long does my travel insurance cover me?

Travel insurance for the Camino usually provides coverage from the date you buy the policy until the date listed on the insurance certificate or until you end your trip, whichever happens first. There may be conditions around purchasing a policy after you have already started travelling, so read the policy wording for further details.

What is the difference between once-off travel insurance for one trip and travel insurance coverage for a whole year?

The types of travel insurance policies being referred to here are:

• Single trip travel insurance—Single CaminoWays trip travel insurance covers one trip only; coverage for multiple trips cannot be provided within the same policy duration.
• Multi-trip travel insurance—Multi-trip travel insurance allows for multiple departures between two specific dates, but the duration of each trip may restrict you.

What is the average cost of travel insurance for my next walking or cycling Camino?

The cost of travel insurance will vary based on your destination, where you are from, the duration of your trip, the number of travellers listed on the policy, the policy type you choose and any options you may add.

Can I claim the cost back if I lose my bags, luggage or bike during my holiday?

Firstly, make sure the Camino bike rental is covered as luggage. There can be exclusions around sporting equipment (and specifically bikes), so read the policy wording to know what is and isn’t covered. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Regarding lost bags or luggage, travel insurance does provide coverage if this occurs, but only in specific situations. Be sure to read the policy wording to know precisely what specific situation will cover lost luggage, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

If my flights are cancelled, what do I do regarding travel insurance?

If your flights are cancelled, ensure the airline provides a document confirming the reason for the cancellation. Minimise any additional costs by cancelling or rearranging other travel arrangements you may have affected by the flight cancellation as soon as possible, and keep receipts for any additional Camino costs you incur when making these changes). Flight cancellation coverage will depend on the reason, but be aware that not all reasons are covered by your travel insurance. Ensure you read the policy to understand what you are covered for, and if you have any questions, please get in touch with us.

If I have an accident while on holiday, how do I claim my doctor‘s expenses?

Firstly, in the event of injury relating to an accident, you should contact your insurers’ emergency assistance team as soon as possible (this is where carrying a copy of your certificate of insurance with you is essential as the contact details of your insurers’ emergency assistance team are listed. If you are not able to contact them, then someone else can. You will need a medical report confirming the treatment you have received, and be sure to keep the receipts for any payments for medical expenses you have made. Once you have this information, you can submit it to your insurer as a claim (note that the insurer may require further information, but they will let you know what that is after you have made your initial submission).

Be aware that travel insurance does not cover everything, and there may be exclusions depending on the circumstances of an accident. Make sure you read the policy wording to understand what you are covered for.

When should I make a claim if I need to claim medical expenses from a holiday? Also, does this period differ for different countries?

You can start the claims process while you are still travelling or wait until after your Camino de Santiago trip to submit your claim. You may need to submit your claim within a specific time frame after the policy end date. Otherwise, the claim may not be accepted. The policy wording will contain further details about this time frame, so make sure you read it to know the time frame.

If I need to cancel my trip for a medical reason or grief, is there something I can do to get my money back?

There is cover for trip cancellation due to medical reasons or bereavement, but only under specific circumstances listed in the policy wording. Make sure you read this to know what you are covered for and any conditions, inclusions, and exclusions.

The Camino de Santiago covers many long-range routes in various parts of Spain, Portugal and France. Are any of the tours considered high-risk activities?

The risk level of any activity is dependent on many factors. In the case of cycling and walking, these factors can include the terrain, the altitude that you are cycling or walking in and the traveller’s actions. As long as you act responsibly, do not expose yourself to needless risks, and are relatively cautious, the cover should be available. Cover for a trip, though, depends on what is provided by the policy terms and conditions, so make sure you read the policy wording to understand what you are covered for, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Are weather, storms, strikes, etc., covered by travel insurance or any type?

This is always a complicated subject for insurance purposes. Cover for Camino weather events, natural disasters, and strikes can vary depending on where you are from (your country of permanent residency), so read the policy wording to learn what is and isn’t covered.

Are there any tips you can give people doing the Camino to help them if they need to fall back on travel insurance?

You should always ask questions if you are unsure of anything. After all, you need to be confident that you understand how travel insurance works and be happy with the travel insurance you are purchasing. Travel Insurance: What do you need to know?

Thanks to Nick from WorldNomads for a better understanding of travel insurance.

For more tips and advice or to book travel insurance, read our travel tips section. Please get in touch with one of our Travel Specialists to book your next walking or cycling tour on the Camino de Santiago.

Contact our travel specialists for more information about the Camino de Santiago. Travel Insurance for the Camino