Travelling to France? From Lille to Perpignan, here’s how World Nomads travel insurance could help Canadians overseas.
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Home to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Palace of Versailles, there’s plenty to see and do in France for Canadian sightseers.
If you want to see medieval fairytale villages and prehistoric caves, you’ll enjoy getting outside of the city with a visit to the Pyrenees mountains. Meanwhile, water lovers can flock to the French Riviera, and foodies can make the trek to Lyon, which has earned the title of gastronomic capital of France.
While a trip to France is definitely a tres bien experience, there are some things to be aware of. Our nomads have dealt with currency conversion confusion, delayed flights, and pickpockets on the Metro. We encourage you to check out our team’s travel tips for France before leaving Canada so you can be prepared.
For the most part, you can spend your days promenading along the River Seine or schussing down the slopes of Mont Blanc without an incident. But if you twist your ankle or take a tumble on the slopes, you may then realize that travel insurance for France could have been a good idea.
With any overseas travel, there’s always going to be some things you can’t plan for - like cancelled trips, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and delayed baggage. Because of these situations, travel insurance for France may be something you choose to consider. There are different plans to choose from and when you get a quote, you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
The Tour de France has made the country famous as a cycling destination. Even if you’re not competing, you can still explore France on two wheels and check out amazing cycling routes along the Seine or in Corsica. If you’re more interested in exploring France on four wheels, you may be interested in a safari tour to see the flamingos in Camargue. You may even want to leave land and set sail on the blue waters of the Bay of Cannes. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to France-including cycling, sailing, and safari tours.
When you get a quote for travel insurance for France, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time. If you’re participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you will be covered.
If you get sick or injured on your trip, your Government Health Insurance Plan may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses in France.
If there’s an avalanche when you’re skiing in the French Alps and you get hurt, you may not know where to go for help. If you have World Nomads travel insurance for France, you’ll have access to our 24/7 emergency assistance team who can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need.
Your international travel insurance could also include ambulance transportation and emergency medical evacuation coverage if you need to be transported to another place to get care. If your doctor determines that it’s best for you to go home to Canada to get medical treatment, the repatriation coverage that is included in your plan may cover the costs to get you there.
If you have a medical emergency and need to seek medical attention, you’ll need to call and report your emergency as soon as it happens, or as soon as you’re able. Also remember to save all paperwork and receipts for any unexpected medical expenses for when you submit your claim.
What happens if you board your flight in Canada, and then realize that you made it to Nice, but your bags didn’t? If your checked baggage is delayed by the airline for 12 hours or more, you could be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
If that reunion never happens, you could be reimbursed for your lost bags and belongings with the baggage coverage that is included in your travel insurance for France.
While baggage coverage is included in your travel insurance for France, just know there are policy limits. If you’ve purchased expensive items in France, you may want to take it on the plane as carry on instead of checking it. If you have any questions, contact us and we can help explain what is covered.
Pickpocketing is something to watch out for when you travel to France - especially in crowded areas like Paris. When you’re visiting France, you’ll surely want to dine al fresco at one of the many bistros. If you do though, never hang your bag over the back of your seat or leave your wallet on a table. That makes it really easy for a thief to walk by and grab it.
World Nomads travel plans provide theft or damage cover for baggage and personal effects as well as to your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate or travel visa.
One nomad found herself the victim of a pickpocketing scam in France that ended up with her bag and sunglasses being stolen. While her travel insurance for France covered reimbursement for the stolen items, she would have preferred that this never happened to her in the first place.
This particular scam started with simple flattery from a stranger that caused her to be distracted. There are several scams that Canadians visiting France should be aware of. Check out our tips for avoiding travel scams in France before your trip, and always be aware of your surroundings. If anything does happen though, make sure you contact the police and file a report. You’ll need that if you make a claim.
You’ll need to do your part to keep your belongings safe too. If you’re in Bordeaux, overindulge at your wine tasting, and forget your purse at the vineyard, you won’t be covered.
What happens if you get sick a few days before leaving for France? If your doctor tells you not to travel to France at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. Your travel insurance for France includes trip cancellation coverage. You may be eligible for reimbursement of your non-refundable trip costs such as flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.
Sometimes situations happen that can disrupt your plans once you’re already in France. Perhaps it’s no surprise that in the home of the French Revolution, strikes, protests and demonstrations happen fairly frequently. If your train travel is affected by a strike and you can’t get from Paris to Reims, you may miss the hot air balloon ride you had booked. If you prepaid for your balloon ride and it’s non-refundable, your travel insurance for France may reimburse you for the money you paid for that excursion.
When you’re doing your research and looking for the best travel insurance for France for your needs, check to make sure there is coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays.
France is a great vacation destination for Canadians. There are multiple Canadian cities that offer direct flights to France, making it even easier for you to get there. You’ll find it easy to communicate once you arrive too, as French and English are spoken across the country.
France is a beautiful country and we’ve made many memories there. We think you’ll love it too. Sure, any international travel comes with things to watch out for. Just be aware of your surroundings, and make sure to check out our travel safety tips for France before you go.
You’ll also want to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings for France before leaving Canada. Weather, safety, and political situations can change quickly, and this is where they list their up-to-date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions, and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.
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Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
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Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.