Travel Insurance Certificate (2026)

A travel insurance certificate is an official document (usually a PDF) issued by your insurer that confirms you have valid coverage. It shows: the insured person's name, policy number, coverage dates, geographic area, key benefit amounts (especially medical coverage), and insurer/emergency contact details. It's used as proof of insurance for visas, borders, employers, schools, and tour operators.

Most insurers provide a certificate in one of three ways: (1) Instant download after purchase—many policies generate a PDF certificate immediately; (2) Log into your online account portal and download it; (3) Request a custom letter from support if you need specific wording or formatting. If you need a certificate urgently, choose an insurer known for instant certificate generation.

A complete certificate should include: full insured name (matching passport), policy number, coverage start and end dates, destination/geographic area (e.g., Worldwide, Europe, Schengen), emergency medical coverage amount, medical evacuation/repatriation confirmation, insurer company name and contact details, emergency assistance phone number, and issue date. Missing any of these is a common reason for rejection.

Yes, Schengen visa applications typically require proof of travel insurance. The certificate must show: coverage valid for the entire Schengen area, adequate medical coverage (usually €30,000 minimum), repatriation included, and dates matching your visa period. The document logistics are covered in this guide; specific Schengen requirements are detailed in our Schengen travel insurance guide.

Yes, many insurers provide instant certificate downloads immediately after purchase. This is essential if you need proof urgently for a visa application, airline check-in, or border entry. Not all policies offer instant certificates by default—some only provide policy wording + receipt. If you need instant proof, verify this before purchasing.

If your certificate doesn't clearly display the medical coverage amount, it may be rejected by visa officers, employers, or program administrators. You'll need to request a custom letter from your insurer that explicitly states the coverage limits. Some policies generate basic certificates that don't show benefit amounts—check this before purchasing if you need proof for official purposes.

Yes, the name on your travel insurance certificate should match your passport spelling exactly. Mismatches (different name order, missing middle names, nicknames vs. legal names) can cause rejection at visa offices, borders, or official submissions. When purchasing insurance, use your name exactly as it appears on your passport.

Yes, if you already have a policy, you can usually download your certificate from your insurer's online portal, or request one from their customer service. Log into your account and look for 'Documents,' 'Certificate,' or 'Proof of Insurance.' If it's not available online, contact support directly.

If your employer, school, or exchange program needs specific wording or formatting, you'll likely need to request a custom letter from your insurer. Ask your employer for the exact requirements (coverage minimums, repatriation wording, specific phrases) and then contact your insurer's support team to generate a letter matching those requirements.

Instant certificates are available immediately after purchase with many insurers. Standard online portal downloads take 1-2 minutes. Custom letters from support typically take 1-3 business days. If you need a certificate urgently, choose a policy that offers instant generation—don't assume all policies provide this.