Booking the trip is exciting. Sorting travel insurance is not.

Still, if you are heading off on a Europe trip, backpacking across multiple countries, or jumping between islands in Croatia or Greece, it is one of the smartest things to sort out before you fly.

We know, with the current state of world news, things can feel uncertain about travel right now. So we want to make it easier for you to choose the best travel insurance to cover your adventure.

Not because Europe is unsafe. Not because island hopping is chaotic. But because even on a brilliant trip, stuff can still happen that is facepalm level or wildly frustrating at the time.

Flights get cancelled or delayed. Bags disappear. People get ill. Phones get stolen. Plans change.

That is what travel insurance is for. The peace of mind in unfortunate situations.

For MedSailors travellers, this matters even more because your trip includes multiple destinations, activities, valuables, and time on the water. UK, Australian, and New Zealand travel advice all push the same message: get insured before you go, and make sure the policy fits the trip you are actually taking.

While we can't make specific recommendations, these are some tips to consider when buying travel insurance.

Do you need travel insurance for Europe?

In most cases, yes. It's not a requirement really, but is it the smartest move? Yep.

If you have booked flights, paid deposits, packed a phone and a camera, or would struggle to cover medical costs abroad, travel insurance is usually worth it. UK government guidance tells travellers to get insured before they go. Australia’s Smartraveller says choosing the right insurance is essential. New Zealand’s SafeTravel is even blunter, warning against travelling overseas without it.

That does not mean you need the most expensive policy on the market. It means you need one that matches your trip.

Why travel insurance matters for backpackers and young travellers

Backpackers and younger travellers often travel in a way that creates more moving parts.

You might be doing a few countries in one trip. You might be travelling for longer. You might be taking more budget flights, changing locations more often, carrying tech, renting scooters, or booking activities as you go.

That all makes good insurance more relevant, not less.

If your trip includes hostels, ferries, sailing, nightlife, beach days, walking tours, or island hopping, your cover should reflect that. SafeTravel specifically advises travellers to choose a policy that covers the activities they are doing, including things like scooter hire, diving, or more adventurous travel.

We know, most travellers in their 20s and 30s want to save as much as possible on trips, but skimping out on travel insurance isn't the way to do that.

What should travel insurance for Europe cover?

This is the question that actually matters.

Not “what is the cheapest policy?”
Not “which brand has the nicest website?”
Just this: what does your insurance actually cover if something goes wrong?

Here are the big things to check.

1. Trip cancellation and trip interruption

If you have non-refundable costs, this matters. And with things feeling a bit more unpredictable around the world these days, this can save you huge headaches or flight change costs.

Travel insurance can help if you need to cancel before departure or cut the trip short after it starts, but only for covered reasons. This is especially important for backpackers and Europe travellers who may have booked flights, ferries, tour deposits, accommodation, or activities in advance.

The key thing is not to assume every cancellation is covered. Read the reasons properly. It's also a good idea to check the flight provider's cancellation policy if they need to, and what their provided insurance covers.

2. Emergency medical cover abroad

This is a big one. We might feel invincible on an adventure, but we need to cover for the "what if" side of things.

If you get ill or injured on your trip, medical cover is the part you do not want to discover is weak. Even relatively minor treatment abroad can be expensive, which is why SafeTravel tells New Zealanders not to travel overseas without insurance and why UK guidance says to get insured before departure. For the American travellers, this is a biggie, as your policies vary quite a bit for medical.

Check that your policy covers emergency treatment, hospital visits, and urgent care abroad.

3. Medical evacuation and emergency assistance

This sounds dramatic, but it is one of the most important things in case you're an adrenaline seeker or bouncing around to more remote areas.

If you need to be moved to a different clinic or flown home, costs can rise fast. Even when your destination feels easy and relaxed, the logistics of getting medical help can be more complicated when you are travelling between islands or away from a major city.

Also, check whether the policy includes 24/7 emergency assistance. That is the sort of detail that looks boring until you really need it.

4. Lost luggage, delayed bags and stolen belongings

This one matters more than people admit.

A delayed or missing bag can throw your whole trip off, especially if you are landing somewhere hot, moving quickly, or joining a sailing route straight away. Australia’s Smartraveller notes that travel insurance can help replace baggage and valuables if they are lost, damaged, or stolen, and some insurers also help organise urgent replacements.

But limits matter. Check what the policy says about phones, cameras, laptops, jewellery, and other valuables because many plans cap individual items. For tech, at the very least, get the device's coverage from that supplier.

5. Cover for activities, sailing and adventure travel

For MedSailors travellers, this is a big one.

A lot of people buy a basic policy and assume it covers everything they plan to do. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it absolutely does not.

If your Europe trip includes sailing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, scooter hire, hiking, diving, or watersports, read the activities section carefully. SafeTravel says you should get a policy that covers the activities you have planned, including scooter riding and other adventure-style travel.

Do not leave that as a guess.

Too many times we've seen someone having the time of their life on a scooter, to bail on it and get injured, and then not be covered. Double check.

6. Missed connections and travel delays

Europe trips often involve a chain of bookings.

One delayed flight can mean a missed ferry, a missed group start, a lost hotel night, or a last-minute scramble to catch up with your route. If you are backpacking or travelling with several stops, delay and missed-connection cover is worth checking properly.

This is especially relevant if you are trying to meet a sailing trip departure on a fixed date.

We always recommend booking a flight to arrive a day early just to make sure.

7. Pre-existing medical conditions

This is the section people skim, then regret skimming.

If you have an existing medical condition, take regular medication, or have had recent treatment, you need to check whether your policy covers it. Some plans exclude pre-existing conditions unless they are declared or you buy a policy that includes them.

Boring section. Very important section.

8. Policy exclusions you should actually read

This is the fine print bit. Unfortunately, it matters.

Travel insurance does not cover everything. Some policies exclude specific activities, known events, festival plans or tickets, alcohol-related incidents, unattended belongings, or claims where you did not follow the insurer’s process properly. This could be really important if you plan on festival hopping around Europe this summer, or jumping on a trip like our ULTRA sailing tour.

You do not need to become obsessed with the terms. Just make sure you are not buying a policy based on assumptions.

9. The excess, limits and fine print

A cheaper policy can look great until you notice the excess is high and the cover limits are low.

That is why comparing price alone is not enough. Look at the medical limit, baggage limit, cancellation limit, item caps, and the excess you would need to pay if you claim.

A low headline price is not much of a win if the cover is rubbish when you actually need it.

10. Single-trip vs annual multi-trip insurance

If you travel a lot, annual multi-trip cover can be worth looking at.

If this is your one big Europe trip, single-trip insurance may make more sense. But if you travel a few times a year, do weekends away, or know you will book more flights later, annual cover can work out better value.

Just check the maximum length allowed for each individual trip.

11. Why buying early matters

A lot of people leave insurance until the week before departure.

That is not always the smartest move.

Buying earlier can help because some benefits matter from the point you purchase the policy, not just from the day you fly. If you have started paying non-refundable costs, it is worth getting cover in place sooner rather than later.

12. How to choose the right travel insurance for your trip

The best policy is not the one with the flashiest ad or the one your mate picked for a city break two years ago.

It is the one that matches your actual trip.

For backpackers and Europe travellers, that usually means looking at your route, trip length, activities, valuables, and how much money you would lose if something went wrong. Government advice from the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand all points to this same idea: buy cover that fits what you are doing, not just the cheapest option on the screen.

What MedSailors travellers should check before buying travel insurance

If you want the short version, start here.

Make sure your policy covers:

• Medical treatment abroad
• Medical evacuation
• Cancellations, delays, lost luggage, valuables, and the activities
• If your trip includes sailing, watersports, or scooter hire, check that too.

Then look at the excess, exclusions, and how claims work.

That is the real checklist.

The goal is not to stress about your holiday. It is to sort the practical bit now so you can enjoy the fun part later.

FAQ: Travel Insurance for Backpackers and Travellers in Europe

Is Europe safe to travel right now?

For most travellers, yes.

The internet can make everywhere sound one headline away from disaster, but that is not what most Europe trips actually feel like on the ground. The point of travel insurance is not that Europe is unsafe. It is that travel has variables.

Insurance is there for the admin chaos, not because you should be scared to go.

Are Croatia and the Greek islands safe for travellers?

In general, yes.

These are two of the most popular summer destinations in Europe for a reason. They are social, scenic, well-travelled, and generally feel straightforward for younger travellers, groups, couples, and solo guests alike. Croatia also ranked 19th in the 2025 Global Peace Index, placing it among the world’s safer countries. Greece is 45th out of 163, but the islands are considered much safer. For context, the USA is ranked 128th.

That does not mean you switch your brain off. You still use normal travel common sense. But the overall tone here should be reassuring, not dramatic.

What does travel insurance cover for Europe trips?

It often covers things like emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, delays, lost luggage, and stolen belongings, but the exact cover depends on the policy. Always check the limits and exclusions before buying.

Does travel insurance cover lost luggage?

Often yes, but not always in the way people expect. Policies may cover lost, stolen, or delayed baggage, though there are usually limits and separate caps for expensive items like phones or cameras.

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Sometimes, but it depends on why the flight was cancelled and what your policy includes. Not every cancellation automatically leads to a payout.

Does travel insurance cover medical expenses abroad?

Usually yes, if you choose a policy with emergency medical cover. This is one of the main reasons travel insurance matters for Europe trips.

Does travel insurance cover adventure activities?

Sometimes, but not always. If your trip includes sailing, scooter hire, diving, watersports, or other activities, make sure they are named or included in your policy.

What is the best travel insurance for backpackers in Europe?

There is no one best policy for everyone. The right choice depends on your trip length, destinations, activities, valuables, and how much flexibility you want.

Is travel insurance worth it for backpackers?

Yes. Backpackers often move around more, carry valuables, book multiple transport legs, and stay away longer, which gives more opportunities for things to go wrong. Some skip it because of cost, but regret it when something does happen.

Who offers Easy Travel Insurance for Europe?

These aren't recommendations, but travel insurance brands we've heard our guests use in the past. As always, do your research.

• Revolut Banking (Premium feature)
• Monzo Max (Premium Feature)
• N26 Go (Premium Feature)
• SafetyWing
• World Nomads
• FAYE
• Credit cards

Travel Europe Safe and Social on MedSailors!

MedSailors' trips are beloved and award-winning for a reason. It's a type of trip that makes you feel at ease with our professional skippers and crew, knowledgeable experience leaders, locally-crafted experiences, and more than 15 years of sailing Croatia and Greece. If you want a trip that strips away the hassle and worry, book your MedSailors holiday today!