Travel always involves some risk, so additional insurance may help cover unexpected costs and disruption. The protection you receive depends on the policy, its limits and exclusions, and the circumstances of your claim.
Travel insurance
Depending on the policy, travel insurance may cover eligible costs arising from flight delays, cancellations, missed connections, or lost or delayed luggage. This is separate from any assistance or compensation you may be entitled to from the airline.
Disruptions do not happen often, but when they do, the costs can add up quickly.
Even if the airline assists with your flight disruption, it may not cover every cost associated with changes to the rest of your itinerary. Travel insurance may reimburse some eligible out-of-pocket expenses, but coverage depends on the policy and circumstances. Keep receipts and check whether your insurer requires you to contact them before making new arrangements.
Medical insurance
Medical insurance can cover eligible emergency medical expenses if you become ill or injured while travelling. Check your existing health coverage and determine how much additional protection you need.
If you are insured by an EU or other participating country, you may be eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a similar card. During a temporary stay in Spain, it can provide access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare under the same conditions and costs that apply to people insured there. Eligibility depends on the rules of the country where you are insured. The card does not cover private treatment or repatriation and is not a substitute for travel insurance.
If you are travelling from outside the EU, do not assume that your domestic health insurance will cover you in Spain. Coverage and access to healthcare can depend on your home-country plan and any reciprocal arrangements. Check with your insurer before departure.
When comparing policies, pay particular attention to the excess—the amount you must pay yourself before the insurance covers eligible costs. Many policies allow you to reduce the excess, but this generally increases the premium.
Sometimes you are not so lucky. Recently, a friend needed emergency surgery and spent 11 days in hospital in Burgos while walking the Camino Francés. Without adequate medical insurance, an experience like that could result in substantial personal expenses.