Security coverage abroad: is it sufficient?

The health cover offered by social security is satisfactory if you are in France. However, outside France, more than this coverage is needed. It is important to consider it during your trips abroad to avoid ruining yourself with medical expenses in certain countries where the price of medicine is higher.

Social Security coverage when traveling in the European Union

During your travels within the European Union, you can benefit from health coverage thanks to the European Health Insurance for travel. It offers you the same social cover as residents of your host country, your medical expenses will therefore be reimbursed according to local social security rates. What appears, at first sight, to be an interesting benefit can turn out to be a disadvantage, because, in certain countries, the cost of medical care is very high while the reimbursement according to the local system is low. Another disadvantage of the EHIC is that it does not cover repatriation.

To avoid any disappointment on the spot, it is important to take out travel insurance, even for a short stay within the EU. Indeed, such insurance can cover all your medical expenses as well as repatriation in the event of serious illness or accident.

Social Security coverage while traveling around the world

Outside Europe, your health insurance fund still covers you, but only for urgent and unforeseen medical care. In practice, you must pay the costs of care yourself, it is only when you return to France that you will have to send your insurance fund the invoices and proof of payment for a reimbursement request. . It is a medical adviser from your insurance fund who will assess the urgency of the care you have received and who will decide whether your request for reimbursement is admissible. If agreed, this will be done at the rate in force in France, regardless of the amount you have paid. If the refund is refused, no recourse is possible.

In other words, relying solely on social security while traveling abroad is financially unwise and risks straining your budget.

What to do to be well covered?

In order to travel safely and with complete peace of mind, it is necessary to take out private travel insurance. It is advisable to opt for a contract which supports the costs from the first euro and which does not only cover emergencies. Ideally, your insurance should cover all medical and hospitalization costs, not forgetting repatriation assistance. 

Travel insurance is useful for all your trips in order to cover you properly. Indeed, even a relatively insignificant problem such as a simple sprain can generate expenses that social security abroad would not support.