Football Camp Insurance Abroad: What Does Your Credit Card Really Cover ?

Your child is heading to a football camp in Europe or North America? Excellent news for their athletic development! But here’s the question every parent asks: are you really covered if something goes wrong? Between credit cards that “insure travel,” classic travel insurance, and the cancellation insurance offered by Looking For Soccer, it’s difficult to know what to choose. In this article, the experts at Looking For Soccer—the leading French platform for booking football camps in France and abroad—help you decode each option. You’ll discover actual coverage limits, hidden exclusions, and situations where your credit card falls short. A detailed comparison table will help you make the right decision and travel with peace of mind.

What Your Credit or Debit Card Actually Covers for a Football Camp Abroad

Credit and debit cards include travel insurance coverage, but protection levels vary significantly by card tier.

The 5 Conditions for Your Card to Work

For your card coverage to apply, here are five conditions you must meet:

• Payment with the card: The camp must be paid in full or in part with your card (check your bank’s requirements)
• Minimum distance: You must be more than 100 kilometres from your usual residence (or outside your country of residence for some contracts)
• Limited duration: Coverage only works for a maximum of 90 days
• Prior contact required: You must ring assistance BEFORE incurring expenses (the number is on the back of your card)
• Covered country: Verify that the destination is included in your contract (some countries are excluded)

Without meeting these conditions, your card won’t cover you, even if you think you’re insured.

The 5 Limitations of Credit Cards for Sports Programmes

Posted coverage limits seem reassuring, but real-world experience reveals significant gaps.

Systematic Excess Charges

Each reimbursement claim triggers a £50-75 excess. If your child sees a doctor and then buys medication, you pay two excess charges. For £40 in care, there’s no point requesting reimbursement: the excess exceeds the care cost.

Insufficient Limits in Certain Countries

Depending on the destination, medical costs can be extremely high. For example, in the United States, a simple specialist consultation costs £190, one day of hospitalisation £2,200, and an appendectomy between £30,000 and £60,000. Even a premium card with a £130,000 limit may prove insufficient for extended hospitalisation.

In England, Canada, or Australia, medical rates remain high. A standard card with a £9,000 limit only covers a fraction of potential costs.

Cash Advance vs. Direct Payment

Be careful to distinguish between cash advance and direct payment. Many cards offer a “hospitalisation cash advance,” which means the insurer lends you money, but you must repay it within 60 days. This situation can create significant financial stress for families.

Only certain premium cards offer true “hospitalisation direct payment,” where the insurer pays the medical facility directly.

Sports-Related Exclusions

Credit and debit cards cover travel accidents, but coverage is often limited for intensive sports activities. Football camp can be considered a high-risk practice, especially during matches or intensive training. Always check exclusions in your general terms and conditions.

Indicative Example: Ankle Sprain in Manchester

Your 14-year-old son twists his ankle during a match at his camp in Manchester. Off to A&E.

Important: In the UK, some emergency care in the public system (NHS) can be free, but charges may apply depending on the situation (follow-up care, hospitalisation, private sector, residency status, etc.). The amounts below are therefore indicative and can vary significantly.

Here are the actual costs you might pay:

• A&E consultation: £190
• X-ray + examination: £150
• Brace and medication: £75
• Total: £415

If you have a Visa Premier card:

• Excess: £75
• National health system reimbursement (depending on your country): variable
• Card reimbursement: after deducting excess and other reimbursements
• Immediate out-of-pocket: you advance £415 and recover part of it weeks later

Cancellation: The Major Gap

Most standard credit and debit cards don’t cover trip cancellation. Premium cards only cover it for very restrictive reasons: serious illness, accident, death of a relative, natural disaster. A simple sports injury two weeks before departure, a minor complication, a parental work conflict? Not covered. You lose the entire amount paid.

Classic Travel Insurance: A Better Solution?

Dedicated travel insurance offers higher limits and extended coverage.

Extended Coverage

Specialised contracts offer £250,000 to £830,000 limits for medical expenses abroad. This broadly covers emergency situations, even in the United States or Canada.

Extended Cancellation Reasons

Unlike credit cards, travel insurance accepts much broader cancellation reasons: any unforeseeable event beyond your control, justifiable by official documentation. This includes sports injuries, health complications, sudden work conflicts.

Affordable Rates

For a 2-week stay in Europe, expect £20-£150 depending on participant age and coverage level. For high-risk destinations like the United States, budget £35-£180.

Limitations to Know

Not all travel insurance automatically covers sports programmes. Some exclude supervised or competitive sports activities. Verify that your contract explicitly includes football practice in organised camps.

Depending on the contract, coverage duration may be limited. For a multi-week camp, ensure it covers the entire period.

Looking For Soccer Insurance Solutions

Looking For Soccer offers two complementary insurance plans specifically designed for football camps abroad: cancellation insurance and medical/assistance insurance.

LFS Cancellation Insurance

This insurance only covers cancellation before departure. It does not cover medical expenses during the course or injuries occurring on site.

Cancel Without Reason Up to 45 Days Before Camp Starts

You can cancel at any time without providing justification up to 45 days before camp starts. You recover 100% of camp fees paid (excluding protection fees). From 45 days before camp starts, no refund is possible, but a credit for the total camp amount may apply (excluding protection fees), in accordance with the general terms and conditions of sale.

Coverage for Pre-Camp Injury

If your child is injured before the camp starts, cancellation protection may apply under the general terms and conditions of sale: full refund of the camp (excluding protection fees) if the injury occurs more than 45 days before departure, or issuance of a credit for the total camp amount (excluding protection fees) if the injury occurs from 45 days before departure.

This unique guarantee responds to a reality: young footballers regularly get injured during the season. Sprains, tears and fractures can occur at any time. With LFS cancellation insurance, injury does not mean the loss of your investment. Insurance fees are non-refundable.

Visa refusal

In the event of a documented visa refusal within the time limits specified in the general terms and conditions of sale, cancellation cover may apply according to the specified conditions.

Important information about cancellation cover

Price: The cost of cancellation cover varies depending on the course booked. The exact price will be communicated to you at the time of booking.

Features:

• Optional: you choose whether or not to take it out.
• Non-refundable: the protection costs are never refunded.
• Limited coverage: only covers the cases specified in the terms and conditions (cancellation before departure, pre-departure injury, visa refusal within the specified time frame).
• Does not cover: medical expenses during the course, injuries occurring on site, repatriation.

LFS Medical Expenses and Assistance Insurance

This insurance covers medical and assistance costs during the camp. The limits vary depending on the course destination. You will find details at the time of booking.

Please note: This insurance does NOT cover cancellation before departure. For complete protection, we recommend that you take out both insurance policies. Simply add them to your basket when you make your booking. If you have any questions, our customer service team is available 7 days a week by telephone on +44 330 027 2418.

Designed for Sports Programmes

Unlike general travel insurance, LFS insurance understands the specifics of football camps. Intensive sports practice is included in coverage, with no exclusions related to supervised sports activity.

Complete Insurance Comparison Table

FAQ

Is My Gold Card Enough for a Camp in England?

It depends on your card and your bank. Contact your bank directly to check your exact coverage. In general, a Gold card can cover medical care, repatriation, civil liability, and sometimes cancellation. Also check the exclusions related to sporting activities in your terms and conditions. LFS health/travel insurance complements your bank card for optimal coverage.

What Happens If My Child Gets Injured During Camp?

The child will be taken care of on site by the camp organiser. Medical expenses are covered by LFS health/travel insurance (if you have taken it out), your personal insurance (bank card, travel insurance, mutual insurance). Looking For Soccer is not responsible for medical expenses. Important: LFS cancellation cover does not cover injuries occurring during the course, only cancellation before departure.

Is LFS Insurance compulsory ?

No, both types of insurance are optional. You can book your course without taking them out. However, without cancellation insurance, you will not be able to obtain a refund in the event of cancellation. Without health insurance, you will have to pay all medical expenses up front and will only be partially reimbursed depending on your health insurance system.

Can I only take out your cancellation insurance or your health insurance?

Yes, you can choose to take out only one of the two types of insurance when you make your booking. However, we strongly recommend that you take out both to benefit from comprehensive cover: cancellation insurance covers you before departure, and health insurance covers you during the course.

Can I combine LFS health insurance with my credit card?

Yes, and it is even recommended. LFS insurance policies complement your coverage; they do not replace other insurance policies. Cancellation cover covers cancellation before departure, while health/travel insurance covers medical expenses during the course. Your credit card can provide additional cover if necessary.

My child is covered by our health insurance. Is that sufficient?

Generally, no. Mutual insurance companies rarely cover repatriation, high costs abroad, and international civil liability. Check directly with your mutual insurance company to find out what coverage they offer abroad. LFS health/travel insurance is designed specifically for sports courses abroad and complements your mutual insurance.

What documents do I need to bring with me?

It is your responsibility to find out what documents are required for your destination country. You will often need to bring:

Yes, you can choose to subscribe to only one of the two insurance plans when booking. However, we strongly recommend subscribing to both for complete protection: cancellation insurance covers before departure, and health insurance covers during camp.

Can I Combine LFS Health Insurance with My Credit Card?

Yes, both coverages are complementary. LFS health insurance offers higher limits (£25,000 in Europe, £500,000 in USA) and no excess on medical expenses, unlike credit cards. In case of claim, LFS health insurance takes charge first, then your credit card can supplement if necessary.

My Child Is Covered by Our Health Insurance, Is That Enough?

Your national or private health insurance generally reimburses according to rates in your country of residence. Abroad, medical costs often far exceed these reimbursement bases. A hospitalisation in England billed at £5,000 may only be partially reimbursed by your health system. LFS health insurance covers 100% of actual costs up to £25,000 (Europe) or £500,000 (United States).

What Documents Should I Bring?

Documents vary by country of residence and destination:

For European Union residents travelling to Europe:

• European Health Insurance Card (request from your health organisation)
• Credit card insurance certificate
• Valid passport or identity card
• Parental authorisation to leave the country (for minors travelling without parents)

For all participants:

• LFS travel insurance certificate (if subscribed)
• Vaccination record (check destination requirements)
• Emergency numbers (insurance assistance, Looking For Soccer, embassy/consulate)
• Prescriptions and medications (with translation if possible)

Practical tip: Scan all these documents and email them to your child and yourself. In case of loss or theft, you can access them from anywhere.

Conclusion: Which Solution to Choose?

Credit and debit cards offer basic protection, but remain insufficient for a football camp abroad. Limits, excess charges, and exclusions create significant risk zones. An injury before departure or hospitalisation in a country with high medical costs can generate substantial financial losses.

The Optimal Solution: Combine Both Looking For Soccer Insurance Plans

• LFS Cancellation Protection: protects you against unforeseen circumstances before departure (cancellation without reason up to 45 days before departure, pre-departure injury, visa refusal depending on deadlines). Price varies depending on the course booked.
• LFS Health/Travel Insurance: protects you during the course (medical expenses, assistance). Amount and details provided at the time of booking.

Need personalised insurance advice? Contact our customer service on +44 330 027 2418 or via our form, available 7 days a week.