What happens in case your existing insurance cannot be extended? Your trip is so beautiful…

What happens in case your existing insurance cannot be extended?

Your trip is so beautiful and you have decided to stay in Germany or Europe for a few more weeks or months and you would now like to extend your international health insurance. But often it is not possible to extend the limited travel health insurance from abroad, because for example the maximum insurance period is reached. However, you need a valid international health insurance to extend your visa. PROVISIT as connecting insurance is now the solution. The travel health insurance can be concluded up to 12 months after arrival for a maximum of 1 year. Of course, we recommend to take out the policy before the start of the journey, so that you are insured from the beginning of your stay abroad. If the PROVISIT insurance is concluded more than one month after the start of the trip, the waiting period in the health insurance is one month. The waiting period can be waived if the insurance policy immediately follows a previous insurance. After application of PROVISIT insurance, please send us the proof of pre-insurance to contract@dr-walter.com. The waiting period does not apply in case of an accident or medical help aiming to prevent acute danger to the insured person’s life, such as cardiac arrest.

Where are you able to travel with the ETIAS visa?

If you have an ETIAS authorization don’t forget that you are allowed to travel to Schengen countries only and not EU countries. Not breaking the law is very important if you plan to travel again soon.

Is the cancellation free of charge?

Your travel plans change? You can cancel free of charge before the start of the insurance without giving any reason. The travel period changes? Rebook the insurance period free of charge. Are you travelling home earlier? You will be refunded any premiums you have paid too much.

What should you do in case you aren’t able to travel to Europe?

Due to the pandemic all countries have closed their borders and only a few flights are allowed for emergency cases. If you want to travel around Europe whether you live in Europe or not, then there are a few things you can do before it is allowed to do so. Because you can’t travel now you can use this free time to fully prepare your next trip in detalil, you can save up Money, read more about the country you want to visit, maybe even take a virtual tour around the places you want to visit such as museums or parks and cook a traditional food from the country of your choice. This is a great way to learn more about culture while having fun and being productive. We will keep you updated on the news about border control so for now stay at home and be safe.

What happens when you travel to a EU country which is not part of the Schengen agreement?

When you go to a European Union country that is not part of the Schengen agreement, you will have to apply for a different kind of visa, entry requirements and passport control systems.

How will your invoices be refunded, direct billing or from hospitals?

After the admission of a patient, hospitals usually contact our claims department. Billing then takes place directly with the hospital. In the USA and Canada, doctors and dentists can settle their bills directly with our partner Global Excel. For this purpose, you should contact Global Excel – if possible prior to falling ill. Doctors send their invoices to Global Excel who, in return, transfers the invoice amount directly to the doctor’s account. Advantage of direct billing: if the treatment costs are within the sums insured under the policy, you don’t need to bother with the billing at all.

What are the Schengen Countries up to during this time?

Among the pandemic outbreak, the EU states are standing together and helping each citizen in need. Large amounts of financial, medical and personnel assistance is separated to help all EU member states. A budget of 37 billion Euros has been put aside for a Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to help any member states in this crisis. There are German hospital taking Italian patients, France and Austria are sending masks to Italian doctors and this proves EU solidarity. Beside this EU has been working non-stop to boost production of new medical equipment.

Is the Schengen Visa really convenient for tourists that are interested in traveling around Europe?

The answer is yes. Usually, when you want to visit other countries you have to go through visa applications, passport control multiple times. With a Schengen visa, you can do this (visit many places) with just one visa application procedure.