Why is it worth buying travel insurance?

🕗 4 minutes | March 3, 2025 | This material was prepared in cooperation with Politykazdrowotna.com.

Illness, accident, transport delays — unexpected situations can happen to any of us and disrupt even the best-planned trip. If you want to travel stress-free, purchase travel insurance and choose the option that best suits your needs.

When is it worth getting insurance?

Travel insurance is an important part of planning any trip, regardless of its length or purpose. Below are six reasons why you should consider purchasing travel insurance:

  • Cancellation or curtailment of travel: Do you have to cancel your trip or return home early due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen events? Travel insurance will cover costs such as airline tickets, accommodation, or car rental.
  • Health protection: In the event of an accident or sudden illness, travel insurance will cover your medical expenses, which can be very high (especially abroad, where healthcare systems differ from those in Poland).
  • Baggage problems: Has your baggage been stolen, damaged, or delayed? Travel insurance will help you compensate for your losses, which is especially significant when your baggage contains valuable items.
  • Flight delays and missing flights: In unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, travel insurance will help you cover the costs associated with canceling or interrupting your trip.
  • Loss of documents and money: Travel insurance protects you in the event of theft or loss of documents; it provides assistance in obtaining replacement documents and reimburses lost funds up to a specified amount.
  • Civil liability: If you accidentally injure someone or damage property while on vacation, civil liability coverage under your policy can protect you from high compensation costs.

How does the EHIC card differ from travel insurance?

The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) entitles you to use public healthcare in European Union countries, while travel insurance provides much broader coverage, covering not only the costs of medical treatment while traveling.

For example, travel insurance can be extended to include:

  • luggage insurance,
  • personal liability insurance,
  • travel cancellation insurance.

The EHIC card and travel insurance differ in many ways, especially in terms of the scope of coverage and situations in which they are useful. If you have an EHIC card, you can use medical services on the same terms as residents of the country in question, but the card does not reimburse all services. Among other things, it does not cover the costs of emergency services, repatriation, or private treatment. In many countries, you also have to pay extra for visits to specialists, hospital stays, or medications.

Is it better to have insurance alone or an EHIC card with insurance?

It should be remembered that the EHIC card does not cover civil liability insurance in private life, assistance, or travel cancellation costs. Travel insurance, on the other hand, provides protection in various situations — especially in the event of accidents, sudden illnesses, or loss of luggage, and the protection also covers countries outside the EU.

In summary, in our opinion, the best solution is to combine both options — the EHIC card and additional travel insurance.

A suitcase or luggage with a luggage trolley at an international airport.

Why choose LOT travel insurance?

Depending on the option you choose, our travel insurance provides:

  • reimbursement of airline tickets,
  • medical assistance,
  • transportation and compensation for lost luggage,
  • support in the event of third-party claims in situations that may involve civil liability.

Coverage is valid from the moment you leave home until you return from your trip. Three coverage options are available on our website. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

Trip cancellation and curtailment insurance

It covers the cost of the ticket and other expenses related to the trip in a situation where, between the date of purchase of the ticket with travel insurance and the departure date, a situation occurs that prevents travel. This is specified in the General Terms and Conditions of Insurance.

  • Travel cancellation insurance will cover costs such as airline tickets, accommodation, or car rental up to the amount specified in the insurance policy if one of the seven events covered by the insurance occurs (e.g., illness, accident, or COVID-19).
  • Trip shortening insurance covers (up to a specified amount) unrecoverable return transportation expenses for the period by which the vacation was shortened.

Travel insurance without cancellation

  • medical expenses and repatriation insurance in the event of sudden illness or accident,
  • hospitalization insurance in the event of sudden illness or accident,
  • flight delay or trip cancellation insurance,
  • late departure insurance,
  • travel curtailment insurance,
  • travel baggage insurance — PZU pays compensation in the event of loss, destruction, or damage to baggage,
  • insurance for your passport, ID card, and driver's license in case of theft, loss, or damage to your documents,
  • cash insurance — PZU will reimburse the insured for cash lost during the trip as a result of theft or loss,
  • accident insurance — PZU will pay compensation if, as a result of an accident during the insured's trip, the insured suffers permanent damage to their health in the form of loss of sight or loss of a limb, permanent incapacity to work, or death of the insured,
  • civil liability insurance in private life — PZU pays compensation to the injured party if the insured person causes personal injury or property damage to a third party during a trip abroad,
  • legal expenses insurance — PZU covers or reimburses costs related to the protection of the insured person's legal interests, for example, the costs of a lawyer appointed by the insured person or legal opinions incurred by the insured person outside Poland.
Friends waiting for a flight in an airport lounge, using digital devices. Wide-angle view.

Travel insurance including trip cancellation insurance

Comprehensive coverage including all services from options 1 and 2, with additional clauses related to COVID-19. By choosing this option, you gain full support.

Can insurance be tailored to the specific needs of travelers?

We offer three types of travel insurance, so you can make an informed choice based on your needs. Whether you are planning a skiing trip, a family vacation, or a business trip, it is worth taking advantage of the opportunities offered by travel insurance — remember that it will help you avoid additional, unexpected costs!

Why is it worth having civil liability insurance (OC)?

Third-party liability insurance protects you against the financial consequences of personal injury and property damage caused to third parties.

Imagine you are on a plane and you take your bag out of the overhead compartment. You accidentally hit another passenger with it, breaking their arm and destroying their glasses. In such a situation, the costs of treatment and compensation can be very high. If you have liability insurance, the insurance will cover the costs up to the sum insured, allowing you to avoid unforeseen costs.

Liability insurance is not only financial protection; it is above all peace of mind.

Side view photo of a businessman and businesswoman walking with luggage inside an airport terminal

Is travel insurance mandatory?

No, it's up to you. Purchasing travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is worth considering. Accidents can happen to anyone, so it's good to be protected against them and ensure your peace of mind and safety.

Can a foreigner purchase travel insurance?

Absolutely. Regardless of whether you are Polish or a citizen of another country (and Poland is your country of permanent residence), you can purchase travel insurance online and enjoy safe travel outside Poland.

Summary

These are just a few of the benefits provided by PZU LOT Travel Assistance insurance. This text does not constitute an offer within the meaning of Article 66 of the Civil Code. It is for informational purposes only.

Detailed information on the scope of insurance, including exclusions and limitations of liability of PZU SA, can be found on the “PZU Travel Assistance LOT” website.

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