Schengen Insurance with Personal Liability Insurance: what is it for?

Date: 24/07/2026

Even when travelling, private liability insurance is a must, yet many travellers underestimate the risk that anyone can have a mishap at the wrong moment. When going on a trip, people often think of lost luggage or illness, but not of damage caused to third parties – and that is a mistake! AXA Schengen has taken precautions and included private liability insurance in all policies.

Find out everything about the integrated liability insurance for unintentional personal injury or property damage to third parties.

Table of contents:

• Liability insurance when travelling – useful or not?
• Covered damages
• Damages not covered
• Claim: What to do?
• 5 typical risk situations for liability cases
• Additional benefits of AXA Schengen
• FAQ

Liability insurance is included in all AXA Schengen policies

Private liability insurance is automatically included in all AXA Schengen products.

• AXA Basic: Liability (up to €10,000 per insured person)
• AXA Essential: Liability (up to €10,000 per insured person)
• AXA Premium: Liability (up to €10,000 per insured person)
• AXA Annual: Liability (up to €10,000 per insured person)

Why is private liability insurance useful when travelling?

Private liability insurance protects you in the following cases:

• Personal injury to third parties: accidental bodily injury, death, illness or infirmity suffered by third parties during your trip in the Schengen area.
• Property damage and financial loss to third parties: Cover for loss of or damage to third-party property.

As a general rule, anyone who causes damage to another person or their property must pay for it in full. This applies not only to repairs, but also to medical costs, loss of earnings or compensation for pain and suffering.

Examples: Lost rental equipment, a collision while cycling in an unfamiliar city or an unfortunate accident in a restaurant – abroad, liability rules can quickly differ from those at home. And that’s exactly where it becomes expensive.

What can it really cost without liability insurance?

The cost of a mishap can be high – especially if a person is injured. This is why liability insurance is also an important policy abroad. Even if it rarely happens, typical claims show how quickly four- or five-figure amounts can arise.

Here are some examples:

• A damaged smartphone or laptop belonging to a third party can quickly cost between €500 and €2,000.
• A broken object or a damaged door in an Airbnb can quickly cost you several thousand euros.
• On a bike tour, you brush against a car and accidentally knock off the wing mirror. Cost: between €150 and €850.
• In the case of personal injury (e.g. a third party’s fall caused by your fault), the costs can quickly reach several tens of thousands of euros or more, especially due to medical treatment and consequential costs.

For comparison: According to Check24, liability cases in Germany cause average losses of €838. However, if personal injury is involved, the costs are, of course, significantly higher.

This is precisely why private liability insurance when travelling is not a “nice to have”, but a serious form of protection. Private liability insurance covers any claims for damages against you, thus protecting you from incalculable financial risks.

A typical misconception among travellers

Many people are already covered by private liability insurance in everyday life – but often only in their home country or with limited validity abroad, or with sums insured that are too low for Europe. You should therefore always check whether your private liability cover also applies to the Schengen area and Europe, and whether it is sufficient.

Worry-free package with AXA! With AXA Schengen you don’t have to worry about this, because private liability insurance is already included in the Schengen travel insurance – and that in every insurance package offered by AXA Schengen!

What does AXA Schengen’s private liability insurance cover?

The core of the private liability cover is not your own protection, but cover against statutory claims for damages by other people. The insurance cover essentially applies to two major areas: personal injury and property damage.

Cover for personal injury, illness or death of third parties

A central part of the cover is damage that you unintentionally cause to other people. This includes in particular:

• unintentional bodily injury to third parties
• illnesses or impairments to health
• in the worst case, the death of a third party

Such incidents can occur on a trip faster than you might think: a careless moment when cycling, a fall in the hotel area or a collision on a path can be enough to trigger a liability claim.

In such cases, AXA Schengen covers the justified statutory claims of third parties up to the sum insured specified in the benefit table (up to €10,000 per insured person).

Cover for property damage to third-party belongings

In addition to personal injury, damage to third-party property is also covered. In particular, the insurance includes:

• loss of or damage to third-party belongings
• damage to third-party property during your trip
• typical everyday damage in a travel context (e.g. in a hotel, restaurant or holiday accommodation)

The distinction is important here: only items that are not in your possession or under your control and do not belong to your household or family are insured. A typical example would be a damaged piece of furniture in a hotel or a destroyed device in rented accommodation.

Good to know! Damage is only insured if you use the accommodation temporarily and do not own it! Liability cover primarily applies in classic “travel scenarios”, not in connection with your own home or household property.

Passive legal protection: assessment and defence of claims An often underestimated but very important component of liability insurance is the so-called passive legal protection function. This means:

• AXA checks whether a claim against you is justified at all
• unjustified claims are rejected
• justified claims are settled
• legal disputes are handled within the scope of the insured event

This can be crucial, especially abroad, as claims for damages are often asserted differently there than in your home country.

In summary: what is actually covered? The liability component of the AXA Schengen insurance is deliberately limited to the essentials and focuses on:

• damage to persons (injury, illness, death)
• damage to third-party property
• typical travel and everyday situations abroad
• legal assessment and defence of unjustified claims

This provides basic protection for typical travel risks, but due to the comparatively low sum insured, it remains more of a basic level of cover in an international context.

Which damages are not insured?

The AXA Schengen liability insurance only covers statutory liability claims against third parties. The following damages, however, are not covered by the insurance:

• Own damages (to yourself or your property): The insurance does not apply if you are injured yourself or your own belongings are damaged. Other travel insurances, such as international health insurance or baggage insurance, are responsible for this.
• Damage to own or controlled items: If an item is in your possession or has been borrowed by you, there is no liability cover. The insurance only applies to clearly third-party property belonging to others.
• Damage to relatives or fellow travellers from your own household: Injuries or property damage within the family or between people in the same travel group (i.e. relatives, employees or a member of your household) are excluded, as liability insurance is intended only for damage to “external third parties”.
• Intentionally caused damage: Deliberately caused damage is not insured. The cover applies exclusively to unintentional and negligent mishaps while travelling.
• Damage exceeding the sum insured (up to €10,000 per person): If the damage exceeds the maximum sum insured, you must bear the costs above this limit yourself. This can be particularly relevant in cases of severe personal injury.
• Voluntary payments without legal obligation: If you reach an agreement with another person without legal basis or make payments voluntarily, there is no insurance cover. The deciding factor is always statutory liability.

What you must do in the event of a claim

For the insurance cover to apply, certain rules must be followed. These are typical for liability insurance, but are particularly clearly defined at AXA Schengen:

• report an incident as quickly as possible in writing
• do not admit any fault without the insurer’s consent
• do not make or promise any payments or settlements
• leave the legal assessment to the insurer

AXA also reserves the right to handle the defence against claims itself and to negotiate or settle the case at its own discretion. You are obliged to cooperate fully and provide all necessary information.

Contact AXA online or by phone

5 typical situations in which travellers need liability insurance

1. Accident in a hotel or holiday accommodation
   For example, if you accidentally damage a piece of furniture, break a glass surface or cause water damage through carelessness, the owner may claim compensation. Such damage to temporarily used accommodations can be covered by liability insurance.
2. Collision in traffic as a pedestrian or cyclist
   Accidents can also happen on holiday, for example when cycling or crossing a road. If another person is injured or their property is damaged, liability claims can quickly arise.
3. Personal injury due to everyday carelessness
   A typical example is a third party’s fall caused by your behaviour, such as an obstacle or a careless movement. If this leads to injuries, medical costs and further claims may be asserted.
4. Property damage in restaurants or public facilities
   Even in everyday situations when out and about, you may unintentionally damage third-party property, such as a smartphone, dishes or technical equipment in a restaurant or café.
5. Damage during leisure activities
   During sports or tourist activities, such as skiing, hiking or exploring a city, situations can also arise in which third parties are injured or their property is damaged. This can already be the case if rented equipment is lost or broken.

What other benefits does AXA Schengen offer?

• 24/7 medical assistance: Available around the clock for medical advice, emergency help, hospital referrals and support with language or organisational questions. Teleconsultations for AXA customers are also possible via the Doctor please app.
• Emergency medical care: In case of accident or illness, AXA Schengen provides appropriate medical care and, if necessary, organises repatriation to your home country.
• Hospitalisation benefit: Depending on the plan, you receive a daily lump sum of €50 for an inpatient hospital stay.
• Travel baggage insurance for loss and delay: Depending on the plan, baggage insurance is included or can be added as an option (from €500 to €2,000).
• Assistance with formalities: AXA Assistance helps you communicate with hospitals, authorities and embassies.
• Immediate insurance certificate: After completing the online purchase, you receive the certificate directly by email – suitable for visa applications and authorities.
• Support for solo travellers: In the event of prolonged hospitalisation, AXA Schengen can organise the travel of a relative, including certain costs.
• Money back if your visa is refused: In case of a visa refusal, the insurance can be refunded up to 100%, subject to conditions.
• Flexible plans for different trips: Various options allow you to tailor the insurance cover to the length of your trip and your personal needs.

You don’t have to take any financial risk when travelling to Europe and can enjoy a relaxed trip with the right insurance.
Get your free AXA Schengen quote online in just three clicks.

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FAQ

What does AXA Schengen’s private liability insurance cover?

The included liability insurance protects you if you unintentionally cause damage to third parties during your trip in the Schengen area. This mainly includes personal injury (e.g. injuries) and property damage to third-party belongings.

Is AXA Schengen’s liability cover valid throughout the Schengen area?

Yes, liability cover applies to insured trips outside your country of residence in the Schengen area, or throughout Europe depending on the plan.

What is the liability sum insured with AXA Schengen?

The private liability insurance provides cover of up to €10,000 per insured person for justified statutory liability claims.

What happens if I accidentally cause damage to someone while on holiday?

Report the incident to AXA Schengen in writing as soon as possible. Important: Do not admit fault and do not make any payments without the prior consent of the insurer.

Which damages are not covered by AXA Schengen?

Among other things, damage to your own property, damage to family members or people from your own household, intentionally caused damage and damage without statutory liability are not insured.

Do I need private liability insurance for a Schengen visa?

For many Schengen visa applications, travel insurance with certain minimum benefits is required. Liability insurance is not a decisive requirement, but it can offer additional protection during your trip.

Is liability cover of €10,000 sufficient?

The cover provides basic protection for typical travel situations. In cases of very serious personal injury, however, costs may exceed this amount, which is why additional cover can be advisable for higher potential claims.