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Best Italy Travel Insurance: Plans & Cost (2024)

  • Based on our analysis, the best Italy travel insurance plans on offer come from Seven Corners, Tin Leg, AXA, Generali, IMG, and Faye. (skip ahead to view these plans)
  • Since US health insurance doesn’t work abroad, we recommend opting for travel medical insurance with emergency evacuation coverage that can get you access to quality medical care while in Italy.
  • The most common risks travelers face when traveling to Italy include travel delays/disruptions, stolen items, accidents/injuries, and terror threats.
  • A good travel insurance policy can protect you from these scenarios and more for around $14/day.
  • An online comparison tool is the best way to get price quotes from several insurance companies at once and compare coverage in one go.

Our top picks for the best Italy travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure
Best Coverage Overall

Seven Corners

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.4
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Solid & Affordable Coverage

Tin Leg

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.6
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Premium Coverage on a Budget

AXA Assistance USA

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.2
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000

Do I need travel insurance to visit Italy?

Americans are not required to buy travel insurance to visit Italy. However, traditional U.S. health insurance plans will not work in Italy. Therefore, most travelers opt for travel medical insurance as basic coverage. Travel medical insurance plans can cover unexpected medical costs and protect you from unforeseen complications such as needing to be medically escorted back to the US..

Reasons to get travel insurance for Italy

Pickpockets & petty crime

As seen in the US Department of State guidelines, pickpocketing and petty theft can be commonplace throughout major Italian cities, especially in areas where vast crowds gather or spots frequented by unassuming tourists. It is also not unheard of for thieves to use mopeds as a means of snatching valuables from unsuspecting tourists.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for any stolen, lost, or damaged personal items if you become a victim of theft or pickpocketing.

Risk of injuries

Italy is known for its numerous cobbled streets, historical sights, and winding vineyard trails. No visit to the land of Ancient Rome and wine would be complete without a visit to such places, but it’s not without its risks. An unforeseen roll of the ankle on a vineyard valley path or a broken toe on the cobblestones of Rome could have you heading straight for the Emergency Room.

Medical travel insurance can cover you for any injuries, illnesses, or accidents you encounter during your vacation to Italy.

Terrorist threats

Although the risk of terrorist attacks is seen as low in Italy, much like neighboring European nations, Italy is on alert for terrorist activity. With the recent rise of Islamic extremism across Europe,?possible terrorist attacks are possible across Italy’s major cities.

Many travel insurance policies can cover you for emergency evacuations, emergency medical assistance, cancellations, or interruptions due to terrorist activities.

Earthquakes & volcanic activity

Italy is located on the tectonic plate boundary of the Mediterranean Sea, and although rare, it’s important to account for Italy’s elevated risk of earthquakes and volcanic activity. This can include a risk of injury as well as ruined plans or lodgings due to a natural disaster.

Travel Insurance can cover you for medical treatment or reimburse you for trip disruptions and cancellations due to reasons like natural disasters.

Year of the Catholic Jubilee in 2025

Italy will be celebrating the year of the Catholic Jubilee from Christmas Eve in 2024 to Epiphany in January 2026. This celebration happens once every 25 years and is expected to attract over 35 million religious tourists to Italy in 2025. Expect areas like Rome, Vatican City, and other religious sites around Italy to be extremely busy. Plan ahead for possible travel delays.

Travel Insurance can protect you from travel delays and disruptions in a number of ways - from stipends for canceled and delayed flights, delayed bags, reimbursing you for missed connections and tours, and full trip interruption reimbursement coverage.

Our top picks for the best Italy travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure

Best Coverage Overall

Full Policy Details

Seven Corners

4.4
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

This is our best-selling plan for two years running thanks to its extremely comprehensive coverage at affordable prices. This plan has some of the highest medical limits around and includes trip reimbursement coverage of up to 100% for trip cancellations and 150% for trip interruptions.

The $500K medical limits and $1M medevac and repatriation coverage limits will ensure you access to the best quality medical treatment if you become ill or injured while traveling. This plan has no age limit and covers flare-ups of pre-existing medical conditions, which makes it ideal for older travelers.

Apart from the top-notch medical and trip reimbursement coverage, it also includes coverage for travel delays, missed connections, delayed or lost baggage, lost personal items, and more.

You can’t go wrong with this plan which is why it’s been the most-sold plan among LA Times’ visitors for two years.

PROS

  • Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Cancellation & Interruption coverage standard
  • Covers action sports & equipment

CONS

  • Cancel for any reason not included standard
  • Must meet waiver for pre-existing conditions to be covered

Solid & Affordable Coverage

Tin Leg

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Tin Leg is known for offering high-quality travel insurance coverage at a competitive, reasonable price.

All Tin Leg policies have an A- rating or better for their financial strength from AM Best. We like the Tin Leg Gold plan because it offers great medical and evacuation coverage limits at an affordable price.

This plan comes automatically with trip cancellation and interruption coverage for coronavirus and other covered instances, as well as up to $500,000 in emergency medical expense protection and up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation, just in case something were to happen while on your Italy trip.

You may also qualify for travel delay protection, baggage insurance, and insurance that protects against missed connections on your way to Italy.

PROS

  • Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
  • High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
  • Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
  • Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
  • Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
  • Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects

Premium Coverage on a Budget

AXA Assistance USA

4.2
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

AXA is another top seller for travel insurance and offers premium coverage at a very affordable rate.

It offers $250,000 of coverage for medical expenses which should be more than enough for most travel emergencies. It also offers $1 million in medical evacuation coverage which can repatriate you back to the USA in a medical emergency. It’s also one of the few plans that offers non-medical evacuation coverage with a limit of $100,000.

It also comes with 100% trip cancellation coverage and 150% trip interruption coverage to reimburse you for your entire trip cost.

Last, but not least, a standout of this plan is that it offers higher-than-average coverage in the areas of travel delays, baggage protection, and personal items loss/damage. Therefore, if these coverages are important to you, then this plan is a great option.

Overall, AXA offers strong value for the money.

PROS

  • High coverage limits in every category. Extremely comprehensive
  • Includes identity theft coverage & non-medical evacuation coverage
  • CFAR coverage reimburses 75% of prepaid travel expenses

CONS

  • Coverage cannot be extended unlike other plans
  • Medical limit is lower than other cheaper plans, but still sufficient

Best for Basic Overall Coverage

Generali Global Assistance

4.3
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000 / $250,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Generali Global Assistance offers high coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency dental expenses, emergency medical evacuation coverage, and more for your trip to Italy.

This travel insurance provider offers three tiers of travel insurance coverage to suit your needs:

  1. Standard plan
  2. Preferred plan
  3. Premium plan

If you’re looking for basic coverage at an affordable price point, the Standard plan may be just what you need. This plan offers coverage for up to 100% of the insured trip cost for cancellation and up to 125% of the insured trip cost for interruption. It also offers $1,000 per person in baggage coverage, up to $50,000 in medical coverage, and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

This plan can help ensure you and your traveling companions are covered in case something would happen on your travels to and around Italy.

PROS

  • Lowest cost of all Generali Global Assistance plans
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
  • Telemedicine included

CONS

  • Lower coverage than other Generali plans
  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Standard plan
  • No coverage for accidental death and dismemberment during on-land travel

Best for Last-Minute Coverage

IMG

4.2
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel SE
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

We like IMG Global because it offers a variety of plans you can purchase up until the day before you depart for your trip to Italy.

The iTravelInsured Travel SE plan comes with plenty of benefits for families and groups who need to secure coverage for an affordable price. Individuals up to the age of 99 can purchase a plan.

This plan will cover trips lasting up to 180 days, meaning you can spend almost 6 months at your destination and be covered the entire time. It includes trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost and travel interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost. Other coverage benefits include up to $2,000 for trip delays, up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses, and up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains.

PROS

  • Purchase your plan up until one day before you depart
  • Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
  • Pre-existing condition waiver available if purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
  • Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered

CONS

  • Plan gets notably more expensive with age

Best Customer Service

Full Policy Details

Faye Travel Insurance

4.5
Check Pricing via the Faye website
Preferred Plan
Faye Travel Protection Plan
Covers COVID
Yes
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Faye is a new travel insurance disruptor that offers an innovative solution to travel insurance with a digital-first approach. What sets them apart is their user-friendly solution to a traditionally bureaucratic system. With Faye, users can manage everything online or via the Faye app – including the entire booking and claims process.

Although it’s a newer provider in the travel insurance industry, Faye is already rising as a fan favorite among young, tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads who want quick, convenient, and reliable travel insurance without having to go through an agent.

Apart from their online-first approach, Faye is easy to use and caters to all types of travelers including those who may want help via phone support.

Another feature that sets Faye apart from the competition is their plan offerings. Faye offers one base plan with an array of comprehensive coverage and optional add-ons to customize your plan.

Potential Add-ons include:

  • Pet care
  • Rental car care
  • Cancel for any reason
  • Vacation rental damage
  • Adventure & extreme sports

If you are looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to insure your vacation, consider opting for Faye travel insurance. *Note: Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

PROS

  • Friendly agents
  • Easy-to-use mobile app
  • Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
  • Prompt replies to questions

CONS

  • Long wait times for reimbursement
  • Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat
Passport and Plane Ticket

How much does travel insurance for Italy cost?

Based on official sales figures from the past year, LA Times’ customers spent an average of $14.23 per day on travel insurance for Italy. On average, people spent 20 days in Italy for a total average travel insurance expense of $284.49.

Comprehensive travel insurance plans cost around 5-7% of your total trip cost. However, medical-only travel insurance policies are cheaper and can cost as little as $1 per day.

In the table below you can see examples showing comprehensive Italy travel insurance costs based on quotes for a $6,000, seven-night trip to Italy for two 40-year-olds.

Insurance provider Travel insurance plan Cost
AXA Assistance USA Silver $174
Travel Insured International Worldwide Trip Protector Edge $270
IMG iTravelInsured Travel SE $279.46
Tin Leg Gold $320
Generali Global Assistance Standard $317
Trawick International Safe Travels First Class $291.42

The cost of travel insurance for a trip to Italy depends on a variety of factors, including the age of the people traveling, the length of the trip, the total cost of the trip, and the type of coverage included in the plan. Therefore, actual costs for your trip will vary.

One of the biggest factors that affect your overall insurance costs is the types of coverage included in the plan. Higher rates of emergency coverage and emergency evacuation coverage can raise the price. Also, added extras such as sports and activities cover, rental car damage or hurricane and weather cover can all increase the overall cost of your plan.

What type of travel insurance do I need for Italy?

Due to how far away and expensive trips to Italy are, we recommend opting for a comprehensive travel insurance plan that covers medical emergencies, medical evacuations, trip delays, cancellations, interruptions, and more.

Travel insurance policies can be broken down into two main categories:

  1. Medical-based travel insurance
  2. Comprehensive travel insurance

What your travel insurance plan for Italy covers will all depend on the type of policy you purchase.

Medical-based travel insurance

Medical-based travel insurance is the most basic level of insurance you should purchase for your trip to Italy as US health insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid) will not work while you are traveling in Italy. Policies only offering medical coverage are also the cheapest forms of travel insurance you can buy.

Medical-based travel insurance policies usually cover two separate coverage limits for medical emergencies and emergency medical evacuations:

Medical-only plans will typically not cover things such as non-medical trip cancellations or trip cost reimbursement. If you want this coverage, you should opt for a comprehensive travel insurance plan.

Comprehensive travel insurance

By comprehensive travel insurance, we refer to plans that cover medical-related travel issues like accidents and injuries as well as reimbursing you for things like delays, trip cancellations, interruptions, lost baggage, and more.

When you purchase your travel insurance plan for Italy, you will have the option of choosing plans that reimburse you for trip expenses and plans that don’t. To buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan, always select plans that reimburse you for trip costs.

Optional add-ons

Some travel insurance policies for Italy will offer to cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance. With this type of coverage, you can cancel your travel plans for any reason at all and still get back around 50% to 75% of your prepaid travel expenses. Including CFAR insurance within your plan will allow you far more flexibility and peace of mind should you change your travel plans.

Where do I get travel insurance for Italy?

You can purchase travel insurance for trips to Italy online or in person.

Here are some of the best places to find a travel insurance policy for your trip to Italy:

Passport and Plane Ticket

How to choose the best travel insurance for Italy

The following tips can help you find the best travel insurance policy for your needs and budget.

1

Compare multiple providers and policies.

The best way to find the right policy involves shopping for plans from at least three travel insurance companies. From there, you’ll also want to compare multiple policies from each company based on the amount of coverage you need.

See More See Less
2

Look at coverages and policy limits.

As you compare plans, make sure you’re looking at the types of coverage you get and the total limits for each. After all, some plans have incredibly low limits for medical expenses or medical evacuation, and these low limits can leave you financially vulnerable.

See More See Less
3

Decide if you want the option to cancel for any reason.

If you want to be able to cancel your trip to Italy for any reason at all, consider plans that let you add on optional CFAR coverage. You’ll pay more for these plans, but you’ll get 50% to 75% of your prepaid travel expenses back if you decide you can’t go.

See More See Less
4

Think over your unique needs.

Finally, consider what you need the most from travel insurance before you buy. If you have a pre-existing condition, for example, you’ll want to check your plan comes with a pre-existing conditions waiver and that you know what it takes to qualify.

See More See Less

Italy travel information & requirements

Query Details
Are there visa requirements? Not for stays of less than 90 days
How long can I stay without a visa? Up to 90 days
Are there passport requirements? Six months validity recommended, with at least three months validity beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area
What is the local currency? Euro
Are there vaccine requirements? No
Are there COVID testing requirements? No
What is the travel advisory level? Level 2: Exercise increased caution
Is US health insurance accepted? No
Is travel insurance required? No

Is Italy in the Schengen area?

Italy is located in the Schengen area, which is made up of 27 European countries that allow free travel between them. This makes it easy to visit several different countries during your travels overseas. For example, you could visit Italy for part of your trip, then take a train or quick flight to other Schengen countries like France or Spain.

Do I need a visa or passport to visit Italy?

While tourist visas are not required if you’re planning to visit Italy for less than 90 days, you will need a passport to enter the country.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area, although Italy recommends having a minimum of six months of validity. You’ll also need to have two empty passport pages to receive an entry stamp.

Beginning in 2024, Americans traveling to Italy will need to fill out a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) application and pay an entry fee of $8 to visit Italy and other European countries that are co-signers of the Schengen Agreement.

Digital nomad visa for Italy

As of March 2024, Italy has released a new digital nomad visa. This visa will allow skilled workers from non-EU member states to stay and work in Italy for a whole year. Skilled workers are defined as those who have an annual income of at least three times the minimum level required for exemption from participation in healthcare costs in Italy - this is around $30,000.

As travel health insurance seems to be the biggest stipulation for being granted the visa, you should ensure you take out a robust plan that will cover the entirety of your stay in Italy.

Are there still COVID-19 restrictions in Italy for U.S. visitors?

While Italy once had some of the most stringent COVID-19 restrictions for travelers wanting to visit from overseas, all requirements have since been dropped. This means you can visit Italy with or without a coronavirus vaccine, and you no longer need to be tested for COVID before your trip. Since the pandemic, the vast majority of travel insurance plans now include COVID-19 coverage as they would cover treatment of any other illness.

Tips for traveling to Italy

Tipping is not obligatory

Unlike much of the US, most staff in the Italian service industry don’t rely on tips to get by. Although it’s always a nice gesture and appreciated, don’t feel obligated to tip every time you sit down in a bar or restaurant.

In August many places close down

With temperatures regularly climbing as high as 35C, Italians often collectively choose the month of August to go on vacation. During the mid-August holiday of Ferragosto, numerous Italians will vacate the heated cities and head for the coasts en masse.

Throughout the peninsula’s popular coastal vacation spots, prices may rise, crowds increase and the city’s interiors may become fairly empty. It’s therefore important to book your accommodation well in advance if you plan to travel to Italy during the summer months.

Italian meal times

Italy and Italians are not only famous for their food but also for their food-related rules. ‘No cappuccino after 11 am’ is arguably the most well-known, yet there are other food culture norms such as Aperol spritz is considered a pre-dinner cocktail and limoncello is regarded as an after-dinner drink.

Expect to dine later than you would back home, lunch takes place around 1 pm and dinner rarely begins before 8 pm. Familiarizing yourself with these little nuances can help you get the most out of your of trip to Italy.

FAQs - Travel Insurance Italy

Am I required to have travel insurance to visit Italy?

Italy does not require international visitors to have travel insurance unless they need a Schengen visa. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have coverage that protects the financial investment you made in your travel plans.

Am I required to have health insurance to visit Italy?

Italy does not require those traveling to the country without a Schengen visa to have health insurance. However, not having travel insurance with adequate coverage for medical expenses means you’ll have to pay for the medical care you receive out-of-pocket.

Do US citizens get free healthcare in Italy?

U.S. citizens do not get free healthcare in Italy. This is yet another reason to get international travel insurance before your arrival.

How much is travel insurance for Italy?

Based on our estimates, travel insurance for a $6,000 trip to Italy for two 40-year-olds may cost between $250 and $380.

How much is a hospital visit in Italy?

The cost of a hospital visit in Italy varies dramatically based on the type of care you receive. If you want to avoid surprise bills during your trip overseas, your best bet is to have travel insurance with medical coverage in place before you go.

About the Author

Holly D. Johnson
Holly D. Johnson Finance Expert

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

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