Travel Insurance To Paris

Paris, the capital of France, is the epicentre for fashion, art, design, and culture in France. The infamous Eiffel Tower, and Arc de triomphe, are known around the world, and attract thousands of tourists to the area, every year.

Paris is also known as the City of Light, where nighttime walks are accompanied by a plethora of well-lit streets and buildings, bringing the city to life. For the romantic at heart, take a boat ride down the Canal Saint-Martin, picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens, or have a couple’s sketch done in Montmartre. My favorite place is the Rodin scenic museum garden, the Thinker gives you pause for thought. Make sure you book in advance Moulon Rouge can be difficult to get in.

As romantic and beautiful as a holiday in Paris might seem, there are some concerns when traveling to this French city – notably the recent terrorist attacks that have plagued Paris, and the country as a whole. You should avoid traveling to Paris if there is strong suspicion of a terrorist attack taking place, and be sure to have a comprehensive travel insurance plan in place for your trip to Paris.

Keep an eye on the news for updated information regarding Paris, and sign up for alerts and updates for France, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

What am I covered for by travel insurance in Paris?

Medical assistance or emergencies: Medical treatment in Paris is costly, and not something you want to risk, if you are in an emergency medical situation. Hospitals in Paris will generally require proof of funds, travel insurance, and sometimes an upfront payment, before admitting you into hospital. Your travel insurance should cover most of the cost involved with hospitalisation, or any other medical treatment in Paris.

Lost or stolen property: Petty crimes such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, passport theft, and theft out of motor vehicles are common in Paris. If your belongings, or passport are lost or stolen, where negligence was not involved, travel insurance will cover most of the costs involved in replacing these items.

Flight cancellations or delays: Flights to Paris could be delayed or cancelled at any time, especially if there are terrorist threats or security concerns of any kind. Travel insurance will cover most of the costs involved in re-booking your flight, providing temporary accommodation, or reimbursing you if you are not able to continue with your trip to Paris.

Car rental cover: If you choose to hire a vehicle in Paris, you will need sufficient travel insurance to cover your excess costs if you are involved in an accident. You are legally allowed to drive in Paris as long as you carry a valid Australian drivers license with you, together with an International Driving Permit (IDP), which will need to be issued in Australia before you depart for Paris.

24/7 emergency assistance: Knowing that you have someone to call at any time of day, if you are in an emergency, can be a huge relief. Choose an insurer that offers a 24/7 emergency assistance service.

You can compare cover with our four insurers.

What am I not covered for by travel insurance in Paris?

Negligence: It’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of Paris, and become oblivious to danger when you are in holiday mode, but you need to be vigilant wherever you are. If your belongings are lost or stolen, or you suffer physical harm due to negligent behaviour, your travel insurance may not cover you for any costs involved.

Pre-existing medical conditions: A pre-existing condition refers to a condition which you are aware of, and are currently receiving treatment for. Most insurers do not offer cover for all pre-existing medical conditions. You will need to chat to your insurer about your condition and if you are covered – you might be required to pay an extra premium.

Emergency evacuations due to terrorist attacks: If there is advance warning to terrorist threats in Paris, your travel insurance might not cover expenses incurred due to emergency evacuation, or other costs. Find out what you are covered for, before you leave Australia.

Driving without a license: It is illegal to drive a motorbike or car in Paris without a valid Australian drivers or motorbike license, together with an IDP. If you are involved in an accident without these, your travel insurance will not cover any costs involved.

Adventure activities: Climbing the Eiffel Tower, biking around Paris, or bungee jumping, are some of the adventure activities that might be considered high-risk by your travel insurance. Travel insurance does not always cover these kinds of activities, due to their dangerous nature – but you can ask your insurer if you are covered for any activities you plan on doing, and take out extra cover if need be.

What to do in an emergency in Paris

When you arrive in Paris, the first thing that you should do, is make a list of all the emergency numbers that you may need, and put them somewhere safe for everyone to see. Some numbers that might come in handy are:

Universal European emergency number: 112

Fire department: 18

Emergency medical services: 15

Police: 17

If your travel insurance provider has 24-hour emergency assist, you should contact them first. The next best number to call in an emergency would be the fire department. Firefighters in Paris are trained paramedics who are able to assist in life-threatening situations. They are generally on scene within five minutes, and will then call the necessary emergency units if need be. If you are in close proximity to a hospital, you should get there as soon as you can.

In a terrorist situation, you need to try evacuate the area as soon as possible, if you are physically able to do so. Follow local authority suggestions, and get to a safe area immediately. Some suggested safe places to hide are in jewellery stores, or places of worship, as they are deemed safer environments. You should also try getting to slightly higher ground by going a few stories up in a building if possible, and close to emergency exits. ¹

What makes Paris unique

People-watching cafes: If you walk around Paris, you will soon notice the many little cafes that are sprinkled around the streets. These are usually filled with people sipping on coffee, and enjoying a croissant. The tables and chairs are generally positioned in such a way that the patrons face outwards, making it easy to watch people on the street walking by.

Street walks: Paris is a maze of incredible streets and alleyways, where you can get lost in the beauty that this city has to offer. These streets are often marked by cobblestones and cafes, and bustling with people. For a spot of shopping, you can visit Rue Vieille Du Temple street, where all the trendy stores are located. Or pop into a cafe on Rue Des Barres street, for an intimate experience of Paris. One of the most scenic streets in Paris is Rue De L’abreuvoir, which is filled with exquisite trees and flowers, and old Parisian houses – it’s definitely a street not to be missed.

Art culture: Parisians are big on art culture – the majority of people love art, and celebrate it. There is no shortage of galleries in Paris, with an array of exhibitions happening at any given time. You can view world-famous art pieces at places like Le Louvre or the Centre Pompidou. Ask any local about what exhibitions are happening, and they will most likely give you some great suggestions.

Cheeses and wines: Two things that the French are excellent at producing, are cheeses and wines. It is said that there are close to 400 different cheeses in France, so you are sure to find a few that tickle your tastebuds. Wine is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in France, with some of the best wines hailing from this country. Wine tasting is a must for any tourist visiting Paris.

Berthillon Ice Cream: For the ice-cream lovers, Berthillon ice-cream is an essential visit in Paris. There are a few Berthillon shops around Paris, with the original shop located on the Île Saint-Louis. You will find the creamiest, richest, and tastiest ice-cream in Paris at this shop – don’t miss out!

The banks of the Seine: The river that cuts Paris in half, the Seine, is an incredible tourist destination, and must-see. It is surrounded by streets that lead to some of the most famous destinations in Paris, like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. Stroll along these streets for a beautiful scenic walk, or pack a picnic for a family day out.

Cabarets: The first cabaret originated in Montmartre, which was basically a cafe with live entertainment. Famous cabarets like The Moulin Rouge started in Paris ², and was the birthplace of the CanCan. There is always a cabaret to visit in Paris, where you will not be disappointed.

¹ ”What to do in a terrorist attack – and why this surprising place is the best to hide in”, Express, accessed on 7 September, 2018.

https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/950792/terrorist-attack-advice-travel-expert

² “Things that are uniquely Parisian”, Culture Trip, accessed on 7 September, 2018. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/paris/articles/12-things-that-are-uniquely-parisian/#

We also offer insurance for other destinations such as South Africa