Travel Insurance For Trips To Italy

There are a few essential coverage types to look for when you’re travelling outside of Canada, especially on an expensive trip.

A comprehensive or all-inclusive travel insurance policy includes trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, emergency medical (including medical evacuation and repatriation) and baggage coverage.

It’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance within 15 days of the initial deposit for the trip so that you can take advantage of early-purchase provisions such as getting a waiver of the pre-existing medical condition exclusion, if it’s offered by your provider.

But if you’re late to a travel insurance purchase, a policy may be purchased up to the trip departure date. Some policies allow you to buy emergency medical coverage after your departure, but be aware that there is a 48-hour waiting period for any illness or health condition, meaning that a claim will not be eligible for reimbursement if you get sick or injured during that time.

If you plan on hitting the slopes during your trip, be aware that since January 2022, Italy requires skiers to have winter sports liability insurance. Liability insurance covers injuries and damage you accidentally cause to others and you can purchase winter sports liability coverage at the ski resorts in Italy. It will cost about €3, or a bit over $4, per day, per person. If you don’t comply with the mandate, you can be fined between €100 ($145) to €150 ($220) and have your ski pass revoked.

You may be planning your trip to Italy well in advance, so purchasing a travel insurance policy at the time you pay for your trip gives you the most value and protection because you lock in coverage for longer.

Life is unpredictable and even as the excitement builds about an upcoming trip to Venice or Rome, the unexpected can happen. Trip cancellation coverage will allow you to cancel the trip, file a claim and be reimbursed for any prepaid, non-refundable expenses if the reason for the cancellation is covered by the policy.

For example, if you break your ankle the day before your trip, or a close relative passes away, you can generally make a trip cancellation insurance claim.

If you had booked a private gondola ride in Venice, for example, and need to cancel the trip, you can be reimbursed for this missed experience.

Your travel insurer may even offer “cancel for any reason” coverage. This gives you some reimbursement (usually between 50% and 75% of your covered trip costs) if you cancel your trip for a reason not covered in the base policy—like a sudden fear of travel or unexpected dislike of Ragu alla Bolognese.

Direct flights to Italy are pricey. You may be able to snag a lower airfare by purchasing a stop-over flight.

If you have a connecting flight in London en route to Rome, and the airport gets socked in with torrential rain and fog, this severe weather may prevent your flight from taking off. If you miss your London connection, you will have to wait for the next flight.

Your travel woes can compound if the next few flights are full. If this happens, you may have to wait until the following morning to continue your journey to Rome.

Here’s where trip delay insurance assists you with expenses like meals, hotel stays, transportation or rebooking a more expensive flight. Keep in mind that many policies have a waiting period—sometimes six to 12 hours of delay—before trip delay benefits kick in.

As on any trip, whether it’s to Miami or Milan, you could run into a setback.

“Trip interruption and travel delay happen to be the most popular claims among travellers to Italy,” says Christina Tunnah, General Manager of Marketing and Brands with travel insurer World Nomads. “Trip interruption can help you recover the unused, pre-paid portions of your trip that you’ve had to cancel because of an early return for a covered reason,” she says.

For example, if your sister is minding your 5-year-old daughter while you’re in Italy, and your sister gets the flu and can’t care for your child, you may have to cut your trip short and return home.

“With trip interruption coverage, you have a safety net in place. It can also get you a one-way, economy-class ticket home,” says Tunnah.

Italy is a mix of lots to see and do.

“With ancient monuments, cliff-side villages, regional cuisines and a history that’s on display everywhere you go, Italy is famous for so many things,” says Tunnah. But where there are crowds of tourists, there are opportunities for thieves.

In Rome, she recommends being particularly vigilant at metro stations, overnight trains and other crowded tourist areas such as the Colosseum and Termini train station.

Also, she says Naples is notorious for pickpockets, where they tend to lurk in the Spanish Quarter, the main train station, the Piazza Garibaldi, and dark alleys and streets.

To reduce the risk of theft, Tunnah advises that you avoid stashing your wallet in your pants pocket. “Consider wearing a money belt even if you’re not going to be the most stylish person in the street,” she advises.

If you are the victim of a theft, travel insurance can help replace or reimburse you for your stolen items, whether it’s a watch, a bracelet or your passport. This falls under coverage for baggage and personal effects.

“Per item and total maximum benefits apply, as do exclusions such as antiques, cash or misplaced belongings,” says Tunnah. She says you should swiftly file a loss or theft report with local law enforcement authorities, common carrier, travel supplier, tour leader or with a representative of the venue or location where the loss or theft took place. This will be required when filing a claim for reimbursement.

Note that baggage coverage may be secondary coverage in a travel insurance policy, meaning you have to make a claim on other applicable coverage first, such as your homeowners insurance.

Most belongings can be replaced, but you can’t underestimate the importance of your health when travelling internationally. Your provincial or territorial health insurance plan may have limited or no coverage outside Canada.

If you suffer an unexpected illness or injury when travelling internationally and require medical care, you will have to pay out of pocket if you don’t have travel insurance with medical coverage.

“Whether you’re exploring caves in Le Marche, going skiing in the Dolomites, or even just wandering a Tuscan village, you never know what injuries or sickness you may encounter, “ says Tunnah.

For example, if you are on a bike tour in Tuscany, hit a bump and are thrown from your bike and suffer a broken collarbone, you will need immediate medical attention. Your travel insurance company can act as a liaison and help identify a suitable facility where you can be treated.

“Medical facilities are located all over Italy, but there are fewer options outside of urban areas,” observes Tunnah. “These emergencies can take down even the most experienced traveller. That’s why the services of a 24/7 emergency team are so valuable. Travel assistance services will be able to give you advice on what to do, help locate suitable medical facilities (particularly in remote areas where access to medical care can be tricky) and will monitor your medical treatments to make sure you are given proper care,” says Tunnah.

If your injury or illness warrants more specialized care than what’s available where you are, emergency medical evacuation coverage can cover the cost of a medevac to an adequate facility.

If you aren’t covered by insurance and need urgent transport, this could cost you thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.

You can buy generous emergency medical coverage of $5 million that includes emergency evacuation and repatriation.

The Bottom Line

Italy is a country known for its masterpieces, monuments and irresistible food set against an incredible backdrop of natural beauty. To make the most of your Italian getaway, be sure to pack your appetite, comfortable shoes (your feet with thank you after a day walking cobblestone streets) and a comprehensive travel insurance policy.