AXA Schengen

What AXA Schengen is

AXA Schengen is a line of short-term travel medical plans built for Schengen visa applications, sold from two storefronts with two different insurance set-ups. The dollar site, axaschengeninsurance.com, is for "United States (U.S) citizens and Green Card holders residing in the United States who require a Schengen visa." Its legal footer says these are "plans developed by AXA Assistance USA, Inc., which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by United State Fire Insurance Company, principal office located in Morristown, New Jersey," and that "Benefits are administered by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. (in California, doing business as AXA Assistance Administrators, License Number 0H74893)." So for a US buyer, AXA Assistance USA designs and administers the plan and United States Fire Insurance Company carries the risk.

The euro site, axa-schengen.com, names a different insurer in its footer: "INTER PARTNER ASSISTANCE BELGIUM (member of AXA Group)," which it describes as the Belgium branch of Inter Partner Assistance SA, an insurance company registered in France (RCS Nanterre) and "authorized by ACPR." When the euro site detects a US visitor, it asks whether the visitor lives in the US and warns that choosing otherwise means "you will not be offered policies for US residents." The two sites therefore sell separate products to separate buyers under one brand.

The US plans

The dollar site sells three plans. All three, per the FAQ, have no deductible: "No, the AXA Essential, Advantage and Annual Schengen travel insurance plans do not have deductibles."

Schengen Essential, "From $26," lists "Up to $50,000 coverage in Medical Expenses," "Up to $500 for Dental Expenses," medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, and "24/7 Medical Teleconsultation & Travel Assistance." The homepage adds "Medical Evacuation & Repatriation: $250,000" and "Baggage Delay: $200." The plan page describes the medical cover as "primary medical coverage" and gives a duration of "up to 180 consecutive days," while noting that a standard Schengen visa allows "a maximum of 90 days."

Schengen Advantage, "From $33," "offers up to $100,000 in medical coverage and up to $500 for dental expenses," covers "trips up to 180 days (approximately 6 months)," and extends beyond Schengen to "select non-Schengen countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus."

Schengen Annual, "From $314," is "tailored for Unites States (U.S) citizens, residents, and Green Card holders who frequently travel to Europe." It "covers up to $100,000 in medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation," for "up to 90 consecutive days per trip."

On age and price, the Essential page says the plan "is available to US travelers of all ages," and "Our policy prices do not vary based on age or nationality." The Annual page repeats "No Age Restrictions" and "Consistent Pricing." No medical examination is required. The homepage also claims "AXA is rated 4.6/5 by Internet users," with no rating body named.

Eligibility and exclusions on the US side

The US FAQ is specific. "Any U.S. resident or U.S. citizen that is 18 years or older" may buy, and for anyone under 18 "a legal guardian must provide the necessary information." One plan covers "up to 10 travelers who reside in the same home"; people in different homes need separate plans. The policy "must be purchased before your trip departure," and cannot be bought after arrival. The Essential page notes, "The Schengen travel insurance does not cover your country of residence."

The legal footer states that coverages "are subject to terms, limitations and exclusions including an exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions." The euro FAQ defines a pre-existing condition as one "which was know by the insured person and diagnosed before purchase of AXA Schengen travel insurance."

The euro plans

The euro site sells Basic, Essential, Premium and Annual. Basic starts "from €4,90," covers the Schengen Area plus Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican for "up to 180 days," includes medical and surgical expenses, repatriation, 24/7 medical teleconsultation and personal liability, and offers baggage protection "for only €9,90 more" with compensation "of up to €500." Essential starts "From €8,90," with "Medical expenses up to €100,000 (with optional add-on to €250,000)," repatriation and 24/7 medical assistance, and a "Full refund in case of visa rejection." Premium starts "From €23.9," with "Medical expenses covered up to €2,000,000," trips "up to 180 days (6 months)," and baggage protection included. The Basic page points travelers who want Cyprus, Ireland or the United Kingdom toward the other plans, which cover "Schengen countries + EU countries (including Cyprus and Ireland) + the United Kingdom."

The euro FAQ says residents of European countries can buy and "will be covered outside of your country of residence," that a traveler who does not need a visa is covered "on the same conditions," that "You can buy for up to 10 people with only one payment," and that "some countries (such as those at war) are not eligible." For a visa denial, "We will need proof of the visa denial, and we will fully refund you." Cancellation requests go in before the start date.

Visa rules as the site states them

The euro coverage page sets out what it describes as the requirements of "Article 15 of the EU Visa Code": cover for "emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and/or repatriation (in the event of illness or death) of up to €30,000," valid in all Schengen countries for the whole stay, accepted by all Schengen consulates, and "supplied by an insurance company approved by the European authorities." The US FAQ likewise says the plans ensure "mandatory coverage for medical emergencies up to €30,000." For US citizens, the site says travel insurance for most of Europe is not mandatory as long as the stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period. Certificates are issued online immediately after purchase.

Claims and assistance

The medical assistance page gives an emergency phone line and "our digital assistance tool, available 24/7," which returns a case number at once for non-urgent matters. Claims can be filed online through a dedicated platform, per the euro FAQ. The US plans list 24/7 medical teleconsultation and travel assistance from AXA Assistance USA.

Who it suits

On the site's own terms, the dollar plans fit a US citizen, resident or Green Card holder aged 18 or over, or a family of up to 10 in one household, who needs a Schengen visa certificate quickly, with no deductible, flat pricing regardless of age, and a choice between $50,000 and $100,000 of medical cover. The Annual plan fits repeat travelers whose trips stay within 90 consecutive days. Non-US travelers are served by the euro plans, which run from a low-cost Basic tier to Premium with €2,000,000 of medical cover. The US plans exclude pre-existing medical conditions, per the legal footer.