Your child is heading to a soccer camp in Europe or North America? Great 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 hard to know what to choose. In this article, the experts at Looking For Soccer—the leading French platform for booking soccer 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 Card Actually Covers for a Soccer Camp Abroad
Credit cards include travel insurance coverage, but protection levels vary significantly by card tier.
The 5 Conditions for Your Credit Card to Work
For your credit 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 credit card (check your bank’s requirements)
- Minimum distance: You must be more than 100 miles 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 call 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 Programs
Posted coverage limits seem reassuring, but real-world experience reveals significant gaps.
Systematic Deductibles
Each reimbursement claim triggers a $60-90 deductible. If your child sees a doctor and then buys medication, you pay two deductibles. For $50 in care, there’s no point requesting reimbursement: the deductible 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 $230, one day of hospitalization $2,650, and an appendectomy between $36,000 and $72,000. Even a premium card with a $155,000 limit may prove insufficient for extended hospitalization.
In England, Canada, or Australia, medical rates remain high. A standard card with an $11,000 limit only covers a fraction of potential costs.
Cash Advance vs. Direct Payment
Be careful to distinguish between cash advance and direct payment. Many credit cards offer a “hospitalization 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 “hospitalization direct payment,” where the insurer pays the medical facility directly.
Sports-Related Exclusions
Credit cards cover travel accidents, but coverage is often limited for intensive sports activities. Soccer camp can be considered a high-risk practice, especially during games 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 game at his camp in Manchester. Off to the emergency room.
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, hospitalization, private sector, residency status, etc.). The amounts below are therefore indicative and can vary significantly.
Here are the actual costs you might pay:
- Emergency consultation: $230
- X-ray + examination: $180
- Brace and medication: $90
- Total: $500
If you have a Visa Premier card:
- Deductible: $75
- National health system reimbursement (depending on your country): variable
- Card reimbursement: after deducting deductible and other reimbursements
- Immediate out-of-pocket: you advance $500 and recover part of it weeks later
Cancellation: The Major Gap
Most standard credit 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
Specialized contracts offer $300,000 to $1,000,000 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 $25-$180 depending on participant age and coverage level. For high-risk destinations like the United States, budget $50-$220.
Limitations to Know
Not all travel insurance automatically covers sports programs. Some exclude supervised or competitive sports activities. Verify that your contract explicitly includes soccer practice in organized 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 soccer 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 camp 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 the start of the camp. You will receive a 100% refund of the camp fees paid (excluding protection fees). From 45 days before the 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: a 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 soccer players regularly get injured during their season. Sprains, tears, and fractures can occur at any time. With LFS cancellation insurance, an 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 frame specified in the general terms and conditions of sale, cancellation protection may apply according to the specified conditions.
Important Information about Cancellation Protection
Price: The cost of cancellation protection varies depending on the camp booked. The exact price will be communicated to you at the time of booking.
Features:
- Optional: you choose whether or not to purchase it.
- Non-refundable: protection fees 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 expenses and assistance during the internship. The maximum coverage varies depending on the internship destination. You will find the details when you make your reservation.
Please note: This insurance does NOT cover cancellation before departure. For complete protection, we recommend that you take out both types of insurance. 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 phone on +1 339 707 0165.
Designed for Sports Programs
Unlike general travel insurance, LFS insurance understands the specifics of soccer camps. Intensive sports practice is included in coverage, with no exclusions related to supervised sports activity.
Complete Insurance Comparison Table
| Criteria | Standard Cards (Visa Classic, Standard Mastercard) | Premium Cards (Visa Premier, Gold Mastercard) | Classic Travel Insurance | LFS Medical & Assistance Insurance | LFS Cancellation Insurance |
| Medical expenses | $11,000 | $155,000 average | $300,000 to $1,000,000 | Yes (see details on the booking page) | Not covered |
| Cancellation | Not covered | Yes, for restrictive reasons (serious illness, death, natural disaster) | Yes, for extended reasons | Not covered | Without reason up to 45 days before camp starts |
| Maximum coverage duration | 90 days | 90 days | Variable by contract | 30 consecutive days | Variable by camp duration |
| Deductible | $60-90 per claim | $60-90 per claim | $0-35 by contract | See details on the booking page | $0 |
| Sports activity | Limited or excluded | Check details | Often excluded | Included | Included |
| Pre-camp injury | No | No | Depends on reason | No | Credit or refund (per T&Cs) |
| Repatriation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not covered | Not covered |
| Civil liability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not covered | Not covered |
| Price | Included in card | Included in card | $25-220 by destination | Varies depending on the camp | Varies depending on the camp |
| Can combine | – | – | Yes | Yes (cancellation insurance) | Yes (with medical & assistance insurance) |
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 sports activities in your terms and conditions. LFS health/travel insurance complements your credit 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 organizer. Medical expenses are covered by LFS health/travel insurance (if you have taken it out), your personal insurance (credit card, travel insurance, mutual insurance) . Looking For Soccer is not responsible for medical expenses. Important: LFS cancellation protection does not cover injuries occurring during the camp, only cancellation before departure.
Is LFS Insurance Mandatory?
No, both types of insurance are optional. You can book your course without purchasing them. 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 Subscribe to Only Your Cancellation or Health Insurance?
Yes, you can choose to purchase only one of the two types of insurance when you make your reservation. However, we strongly recommend purchasing both to ensure you have complete coverage: cancellation insurance covers you before departure, and health insurance covers you during the camp.
Can I Combine LFS Health Insurance with My Credit Card?
Yes, and it is even recommended. LFS insurance supplements your coverage; it does not replace other insurance policies. Cancellation coverage covers cancellation before departure, while health/travel insurance covers medical expenses during the course. Your credit card can provide additional coverage if necessary.
My Child Is Covered by Our Health Insurance, Is That Enough?
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 training camps abroad and supplements your mutual insurance.
What Documents Should I Bring?
It is your responsibility to find out what documents are required for your destination country. Often, you will need to provide:
For European Union residents traveling to Europe:
- European Health Insurance Card (request from your health organization)
- Credit card insurance certificate
- Valid passport or ID card
- Parental authorization to leave the country (for minors traveling 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 cards offer basic protection, but remain insufficient for a soccer camp abroad. Limits, deductibles, and exclusions create significant risk zones. An injury before departure or hospitalization 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 personalized insurance advice? Contact our customer service at +1 339 707 0165 or via our form, available 7 days a week. For more details on insurance terms and conditions, please refer to our general terms and conditions of sale.