How to Protect Your Family on Holiday: Travel Medical Insurance

A holiday is time for rest and new experiences, whether it's a beach resort, a European city or a mountain trip. A sudden illness, an accident or an urgent toothache can turn the trip of a lifetime into a financial problem if you don't have the right cover. Travel medical insurance — the TRAVEL Standard product from General Asigurări — takes on exactly these costs. Below: what the policy covers, what it doesn't, how to pick the right sum insured for your destination, and what to do if something happens.

Why travel insurance isn't just a formality

Healthcare systems abroad work differently from Moldova's, and the cost of tests, treatment and medication can be very high. Voluntary medical cover for the duration of your trip protects your family's budget from exactly these unexpected costs — whether or not it's required for your visa.

What the policy covers

• emergency medical costs: consultations, tests, hospitalisation, procedures, prescribed medication and ambulance services;
• medical evacuation and repatriation, including a medical escort when needed;
• repatriation of remains, in tragic cases;
• emergency dental treatment, within the policy limit;
• flare-ups of a chronic condition — only in emergencies and within the policy's limits.

What the policy does NOT cover

• trips to conflict zones or planned treatment abroad;
• chronic conditions, when care goes beyond an emergency and the set limits;
• undeclared risk activities — extreme sports, physical labour — not included in the policy;
• events linked to alcohol, drugs, intentional acts, military action and similar.

Attention: Before buying the policy, declare all chronic conditions and planned activities honestly — this directly affects what's covered if something happens.

Choosing the right sum insured: coverage zones

The policy's territory is split into zones, and the zone you choose sets the maximum sum insured per person:

Zone A — former USSR states — EUR 5,000

Zone B — Turkey — EUR 10,000

Zone C — Europe, Turkey, former USSR states — EUR 30,000

Zone D — Asia, Europe, former USSR states — EUR 40,000

Zone E — worldwide (excluding conflict zones) — EUR 50,000

Note: For a Schengen visa, consulates usually require cover of at least EUR 30,000 for the entire trip — which matches zone C. The exact requirements are set by the consulate processing your application, so check them in advance.

Each traveller needs their own policy

You can't buy a single "family" policy — every traveller, including children, gets their own policy, based on their age and health. That includes young children too: if the whole family is travelling, you'll need a separate policy for each person.

Practical steps before you leave

1. Check the policy's territory (zone A–E) and choose the sum insured that fits your destination.
2. Add any options you need, if you're planning active sports or heading to a higher-risk area.
3. Fill in the application correctly, for each traveller: declare chronic conditions and planned activities.
4. Pay the premium in full before departure — cover starts according to the policy's terms.
5. Save the assistance contacts (Nova Assistance) and the insurer's number on your phone, in case of an emergency.

What to do if something happens on your trip

1. Call the assistance number listed on your policy right away: Nova Assistance, +373 22 994 955 or WhatsApp +373 79 005 222 — and follow the instructions.
2. Get the care you need; if possible, notify the insurer before hospitalisation.
3. Collect the documents: medical reports, invoices, prescriptions, proof of payment, discharge notes.
4. If you paid out of pocket, keep every receipt and file a claim once you're back — the standard deadline is 30 days.
5. If repatriation is needed, coordinate the logistics and paperwork with the assistance company.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is medical insurance mandatory for a trip abroad?

Legally, it's required for certain visas, such as Schengen, where the minimum cover is usually at least EUR 30,000 for the whole trip. But even without a visa requirement, it remains a practical safeguard: without it, treatment abroad is paid entirely out of pocket.

2. Does the policy cover chronic conditions?

Only flare-ups in emergencies and within the contract's limits — planned treatment for chronic conditions is not covered.

3. What do I do if I need emergency hospitalisation on holiday?

Call the assistance number on your policy right away and, if possible, notify the insurer before hospitalisation — this speeds up organising care and any later compensation.

4. Do we need a separate policy for each family member?

Yes, the policy is issued separately for each traveller, including children, based on each person's age and health.

What to remember

• TRAVEL Standard covers emergency medical care, evacuation and repatriation; the sum insured depends on the zone — from EUR 5,000 to EUR 50,000.
• A Schengen visa usually requires zone C and cover of at least EUR 30,000 — confirm the exact requirements with the consulate.
• Every traveller, including children, needs their own policy.
• In an emergency, call Nova Assistance first; file the claim within 30 days of returning.

Buy travel insurance online or request a consultation — the General Asigurări team will help you pick the right zone and sum insured for your trip.