Planning a trip to Italy? You may want to purchase travel insurance. Learn about the benefits and options available to protect your vacation investment.
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Updated:
Apr 25, 2024
Written by
Nicole Leigh West
Nicole Leigh West
Edited by
Sabrina Lopez
Sabrina Lopez
From paying for medical expenses to reimbursing you for lost baggage, it helps to have a safety net for European vacations. When you purchase travel insurance for your Italy vacation, it includes trip cancellation, emergency medical evacuation and medical treatment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Below, we at the MarketWatch Guides Team discuss travel insurance requirements for visiting Italy, how much you might expect to pay and general travel tips.
Compare Italy Travel Insurance Companies
Use the table below to compare costs, CFAR coverage and COVID-19 coverage of travel insurance plans for Italy:
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Italy?
There are no requirements for U.S. citizens to have travel or health insurance as a condition of entry to Italy for trips fewer than 90 days. This also includes the other Schengen countries in Europe, a region accessible via a Schengen visa for travelers subject to the requirement for longer trips.
Many business travelers and tourists choose Italy travel insurance for protection against unexpected costs. The best travel insurance includes coverage for trip cancellations and healthcare in emergencies.
From boating across the Mediterranean to hiking in Naples and water skiing along the Amalfi Coast, adventure sports are popular during Italian travel. A travel insurance policy offers medical coverage in the event of accidents.
Cancel for Any Reason Coverage
Whether you’re planning to visit Rome, Milan, Florence or Venice, cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR) gives you the flexibility to change your plans at your discretion. Alternatively, when you buy standard travel insurance coverage, you’re limited to predetermined reasons and exclusions.
Generally, acceptable reasons for trip cancellation coverage only include emergencies, such as hospitalization or the death of a family member. With CFAR, for example, you could cancel a trip to Tuscany for a friend’s wedding if it was called off and you’d prefer to change your travel plans.
While CFAR provides a lot of flexibility, it is still subject to rules and restrictions. These may include disclaimers such as time limits on when trips must be canceled by.
Gear Theft Protection
With so many sites to take in on your trip, from the Colosseum in Rome to picturesque vineyards, you’ll likely want to have your camera ready. You may also bring other valuables with you, such as a laptop, sports equipment or jewelry.
Whether it’s due to trip interruption or equipment damaged by a tour operator, gear theft protection helps to recoup your finances when items are stolen or lost. Depending on individual travel insurance company plans, there may be exclusions or predetermined reimbursement limits. Many travelers choose to leave precious valuables at home.
Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation
If you require medical assistance, the U.S. State Department notes that hospitals in Italy are available but may not have the same standards as in the U.S. It also may be more difficult to find care outside of urban areas, and payment is typically required upfront. Therefore, travel medical insurance is recommended for U.S. citizens. Medicare and most private health insurance don’t apply overseas.
For those with pre-existing medical conditions, along with travelers dealing with health emergencies, medical costs can be significant. In the event of an illness or injury while visiting Italy, travel insurance for medical emergencies covers a range of expenses that typically includes the following:
- Hospital fees
- Operating room charges
- Ambulance services
- Dental emergencies
- X-rays
Most travel health insurance policies include emergency medical evacuation if local medical care isn’t available or you need to fly back to your home country. They also typically include repatriation if you pass away while abroad.
According to our methodology, the best travel medical insurance for Italy vacations is Travelex. Travelex is our pick for budget travel insurance and offers three policy tiers for Italy travelers to choose from. Read our in-depth Travelex review to learn more.
Rental Car Protection
If you prefer the freedom of a rental car to public transport, rental car protection is crucial. In Italy, you must have a collision and damage waiver, theft protection and fire and third-party liability insurance by law. This is typically included in rental rates.
Premium insurance policies may include additional safeguards such as:
- Personal effects coverage
- Personal injury insurance
- Roadside protection
- Tire and windshield protection
Standard travel insurance plans generally include rental vehicle excess coverage. This helps to recover the losses you’re liable for via excess for damaged or stolen cars.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance protects you against financial loss if unforeseen circumstances interrupt your travel plans. As a general rule, standard travel insurance plans reimburse you for nonrefundable and prepaid costs, subject to predetermined limits.
The following reasons generally qualify for trip cancellation coverage in the absence of CFAR premium insurance:
- Death of family members
- Hospitalization or serious injury
- Jury duty
- Military orders
- Severe weather conditions delaying departure
How Much Does Italy Travel Insurance Cost?
The cost of travel insurance for Italy varies based on factors that may include your age, the destination and pre-existing medical conditions. The information you’ll need to request quotes from insurance companies includes the following:
- Ages and number of travelers in your group
- Destination country and location
- Total trip price
We requested quotes from ten travel insurance companies for their most affordable plan for a trip to Italy. The below quotes are for a 30-year-old traveler from Florida, traveling to Italy for ten days in September 2024, with a total trip cost of $4,000. Policies include coverage for cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical care and evacuation.
| Company | Most Affordable Plan | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Faye | Travel Protection | $188.89 |
| Seven Corners | Trip Protection Basic | $115.00 |
| Nationwide | Essential | $120.13 |
| Berkshire Hathaway | ExactCare Value | $108.00 |
| Travelex | Basic | $121.00 |
| AIG Travel Guard | Essential | $95.80 |
| Trawick | Safe Travels Protect | $85.85 |
| Generali | Standard | $135.43 |
| Travel Insured International | Worldwide Trip Protector | $141.00 |
| Allianz | Basic | $156.00 |
| Average | $126.71 | |
These quotes were collected in April 2024 for a trip in September 2024.
The quotes listed to help you determine the price of travel insurance were collected from each company’s website in May 2023. The cheapest policies for travel and health insurance plans to Italy include coverage for trip cancellation, medical expenses for emergencies, baggage loss or delay and emergency evacuation.
How Do I Get Travel Insurance for Italy?
The first step in getting travel insurance for an Italian vacation is to check your credit cards and current health insurance plans, as some offer coverage for travel. When you book your flights, most airlines offer travel insurance at the same time. Take note of the costs as they may be more expensive than other products.
It’s a good idea to compare prices and policy details from multiple travel insurance providers before making your decision. Remember to take into account personal factors, such as pre-existing medical conditions and activities you’d like to do. Automatic coverage doesn’t always apply.
Italy Safety Tips
Keep travel and safety tips in mind to ensure peace of mind while on vacation in Italy. Below are some basic recommendations.
Crime and Safety
The Italy Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. This is due to an increased risk of terrorist plots that may result in attacks at tourist locations, government facilities and shopping malls. It’s recommended that you monitor local media for information.
Typically, Italy doesn’t present major crime or safety issues. As with most destinations, it’s important to remain aware of your surroundings at popular tourist destinations and in large cities. Pickpocketing and other petty crimes do occur, so make sure to have valuables stored somewhere safely.
Day Trips, Tours and Excursions
Italy is home to fascinating historical sites, beautiful beaches and exciting cities. Taking tours is an excellent way to explore the country. If you participate in adventure sports, ensure your travel insurance policy covers you for any related accidents or injuries.
It’s important to book your excursions and day trips through reputable tour organizations. Travel agents and hotel concierges offer recommendations. You can find more information on the official Italy tourism site.
COVID-19
According to the Italian government, there are no coronavirus restrictions in place for entry or travel around Italy. Check with local authorities with regard to any changes or updates.
Is Travel Insurance For USA to Italy Worth It?
It’s not mandatory to purchase travel insurance to visit Italy. Most leisure and business travelers choose to purchase insurance in order to cover unexpected medical costs and protect their trip investment against unexpected cancellations. The U.S. government recommends travel insurance as medical expenses aren’t covered by insurance that’s applicable at home.
Travel insurance is worth it to ensure peace of mind while traveling and to protect yourself from financial loss in the event of unforeseen incidents. We recommend that you get a quote from multiple providers to find the best deal on trip insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Italy
In order to claim flight compensation through your airline, you will need to check their policy. Many airlines will not compensate for delays, and there may be certain requirements to be compensated for a cancellation. Travel insurance for Italy offers the best protection against financial loss if your flights are canceled since it also refunds other costs associated with your trip.
It’s not compulsory to have travel insurance for Italian vacations. However, unexpected medical costs may be expensive. Therefore, medical insurance is recommended, along with trip cancellation coverage.
No, Americans do not get free health care in Italy, though emergency medical assistance is provided to anyone in need of it. To avoid expensive upfront costs, medical travel insurance is recommended.
No, not all credit cards provide travel insurance. Those that offer travel rewards typically include a level of travel insurance with the benefits. Check the policy details to determine if it’s suitable for your travel needs.
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