How to Choose Travel Insurance in Estonia: What You Need to Know Before Your Trip

What is reisikindlustus — and why it's more important than you think

The actual coverage depends on the policy, but a well-designed reisikindlustus package generally includes:

• Medical care abroad, including urgent hospitalization and evacuation
• Accidents and injuries
• Trip cancellation or interruption (for example, due to illness or emergencies)
• Lost or delayed baggage
• Personal liability (in extended policies)

Many people buy travel insurance just to follow the rules. But when you're abroad — especially outside the EU — it becomes a true safety net. Medical help can be expensive or even inaccessible without a proper policy, and reisikindlustus fills that gap with real, usable protection.

It’s especially important when:

• You're traveling outside the EU
• You're traveling with children or older adults
• You're doing outdoor activities, sports, or remote travel

Even with an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), your coverage may be limited — private clinics, urgent dental work, and transport may not be included. A real reisikindlustus policy activates help where the public system stops.

Types of reisikindlustus: What to Know Before Comparing Plans

Travel insurance isn’t a single product. It’s a collection of options, and the details matter. Below are the key types of reisikindlustus you’ll want to understand before you buy:

Ravikindlustus välismaal (medical travel insurance)

This is the essential core of any reisikindlustus policy. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, medications, ambulance services, and return transportation if medically necessary.

Depending on the plan, you may add coverage for chronic conditions, pregnancy, or COVID-related expenses — these need to be declared upfront.

Reisitõrke kindlustus (trip cancellation insurance)

This covers your costs if you have to cancel travel due to illness, quarantine, emergencies, or other valid reasons — including if you need to return home early from a trip in progress.

Many travelers skip this option, but that can be a mistake: without it, tour operators or airlines may refuse even partial refunds.

Reisikindlustus lapsele (travel insurance for children)

This isn’t a separate policy, but it requires careful attention. Children’s coverage should reflect the type of travel (beach, sightseeing, active trips), the child’s health, and which adults are responsible.

Important: not all adult policies automatically cover minors — check this specifically.

Aastane reisikindlustus (annual travel insurance)

Perfect for frequent travelers (more than 2–3 trips a year). One policy covers all your trips within 12 months.

However, be aware: each trip still has a max duration (typically 30, 60 or 90 days). Long stays may require a separate long-term or visa insurance policy.

Reisikindlustus krediitkaardiga (credit card travel insurance)

Yes, credit cards often include some form of travel insurance. But keep in mind:

• It may only be valid if you paid for the trip with that card
• Coverage limits are often low, and duration may be restricted
• The “fine print” (deductibles, country lists, exclusions) matters

In most cases, this coverage should be treated as a helpful backup — not a standalone policy. For serious trips, especially those involving kids, older travelers, or long distances, you’ll want full reisikindlustus.

What to Compare When Choosing reisikindlustus: More Than Just a Checkbox

When choosing a travel policy, don’t just tick boxes. Ask the right questions about how it protects you, your trip, and your needs. Here’s what to focus on:

Coverage Amount (Sum Insured)

Low-end limits are often not enough. A policy covering €15,000 might barely cover emergency surgery in the U.S. or Japan.

For EU travel, €30,000–50,000 is reasonable. For long-haul or high-risk destinations, aim for policies starting at €100,000 — especially if medical costs in your destination are known to be high.

Geographic Coverage

If your plan says “Europe,” that may not automatically include Turkey, Egypt, or Morocco.
Some plans marked “Worldwide” may exclude the U.S. or Canada.

Always check the specific country list, especially if your trip crosses borders.

Deductible (Franchise)

This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket in case of a claim.

For example: if your deductible is €50 and treatment costs €120, insurance pays just €70.

Plans with higher deductibles cost less upfront, but for trips involving kids or injury risk — it usually makes sense to choose a €0 or low-deductible plan.

Exclusions

Every policy has exclusions — and they matter. Common things not covered unless specifically added:

• Risk sports (skiing, diving, climbing, etc.)
• Incidents involving alcohol
• Unmanaged chronic conditions
• Travel during late pregnancy

Tip: don’t just read what’s included — read what’s excluded. That’s where the real risks usually are.

Language and Support Services

In an emergency abroad, it may be difficult to navigate help in Estonian or even English.
Good reisikindlustus includes 24/7 multilingual assistance — they can call hospitals, translate, or make decisions on your behalf if needed.

What Affects the Cost of reisikindlustus

A good reisikindlustus kalkulaator can show you basic prices. But to really understand what you’re paying for — talk to an expert.

Price depends on:

• Age (children, seniors, and pregnant travelers have different pricing)
• Trip duration
• Destination region
• Travel style: relaxed vs. adventure-heavy
• Coverage limits and deductible
• Add-ons (Covid coverage, marathon participation, etc.)

Important: a more affordable policy (soodne reisikindlustus) isn’t necessarily worse. Sometimes a discounted offer fits your needs perfectly.

But if a price seems too low, it may mean:

a) high deductibles
b) large lists of exclusions
c) no response team in case of emergency

Make sure you know exactly what isn’t included — and why.

What KJ Tours Offers in Partnership with Trusted Providers

At KJ Tours, we help arrange reisikindlustus for clients — only through reliable companies we’ve worked with for years. Today, we offer:

• Salva reisikindlustus
• Baltijas Apdrošināšanas Nams (BAN)

We do not work as a bulk aggregator or price comparison tool. We don’t list 20 brands or automate calculations. What we do offer is confidence: we know the exact coverage, how to get help during a claim, and how to match the policy to your itinerary.

We often hear:

“Will you really tailor the insurance to my trip and not just tack it on?”

Answer: Yes.

We match it to your travel style, destination, companions, and preferences — not just by template. That’s why some of our travellers come back for insurance even when they’re booking the rest of their trip independently.

Common Mistakes Travelers Make with Insurance

Even experienced travelers sometimes overlook key points — especially with last-minute bookings or the belief that “nothing will happen.” Here are frequent missteps:

Counting on credit card coverage.

As outlined above, benefits may not apply unless the trip was paid for with the correct card, activated manually, and confirmed via portal settings.

Choosing the cheapest policy.

The soodsaim reisikindlustus may not be sufficient. Low coverage, high deductibles, and minimal global support are often the trade-offs — and they’re rarely worth it.

Ignoring exclusions.

Active trips, pregnancy, chronic medical conditions, or traveling with minors all require more careful input and review of exclusions. Even within the same provider, package differences can matter.

Skipping consultation.

If you’re traveling for the first time — or heading somewhere unfamiliar — don’t rely solely on a sleek calculator interface. A five-minute conversation with an advisor can save you hours of confusion on the ground.

A good reisikindlustus policy isn’t a guarantee of peace — it’s a fast-exit system for when things go wrong.
Ideally, you won’t need it. But if something does happen, your insurance determines how easily you can call a doctor, rebook a return flight, recover prepaid hotel costs, or get home without piles of paperwork.

Not sure where to begin? Drop us a message or request a quote — we’ll help you choose the parim reisikindlustus without overspending.

At KJ Tours, we don’t just organize travel — we also arrange tailor-made insurance based on your route, dates, and who you’re traveling with. Let us walk you through it, and we’ll make sure your policy includes exactly what you need — and nothing you don’t.

A smooth trip starts with smart preparation — and the right insurance.