How do we verify what a policy covers — and what don't we do?
The method behind every cell of the coverage matrix — last updated August 31, 2026.
We read each policy's public documents and record, for every requirement of Article 15 of the EU Visa Code, a verbatim quote, its page or section, and the date we read it. CoverMandate buys nothing and tests nothing.
What do we check in each policy document?
Six requirements, from Article 15(1) and 15(3) of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (the Visa Code).
| # | Requirement | Where the law states it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Repatriation for medical reasons | Art. 15(1) |
| 2 | Urgent medical attention | Art. 15(1) |
| 3 | Emergency hospital treatment or death | Art. 15(1) |
| 4 | Valid in all Schengen states | Art. 15(3) |
| 5 | Coverage for the entire period of stay or transit | Art. 15(3) |
| 6 | Minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 | Art. 15(3) |
In the regulation's own words: Article 15(1) requires cover for "repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death"; Article 15(3) requires validity "throughout the territory of the Member States", coverage of "the entire period of the person's intended stay or transit", and states: "The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000" (EUR-Lex, CELEX 02009R0810, consolidated version of June 11, 2024, checked on August 30, 2026).
Per requirement, we record three things from the policy document: a short verbatim quote, the page or section where it stands, and the date we read it. Each requirement is explained on the EUR 30,000 rule page.
Where does the data come from?
From three kinds of public sources, and nothing else.
- Policy documents. The insurance product information document (IPID) and the full policy wording, as the insurer publishes them before purchase. We record the document name, its version marking, and its URL.
- The regulation. The consolidated Visa Code text at EUR-Lex, CELEX 02009R0810.
- Acceptance lists. The lists of accepted insurers published by consulates and visa application centers such as VFS Global, per country of application. We record the list URL, the date printed on the list, and the date we retrieved it.
Every cell in the coverage matrix carries its own check date. The date belongs to the cell, not the page: two cells on one page can carry different dates, and both are shown.
How often is a cell re-checked — and what does "checked on" mean?
Every cell is re-checked at least once a quarter. Between quarterly rounds, an event triggers an extra check: an insurer publishes a new document version, a consulate replaces an acceptance list, or a state joins the Schengen area.
"Checked on" is the day the CoverMandate verification desk last read the named source — not the day the source was published. An older date does not mean a cell is wrong; it means we have not re-read the source since.
What do we not do?
We have not bought these policies, we have filed no claims, and we have not dealt with any insurer's customer service. Every statement on this site is about what stands in a document, not about how a claim turns out.
Three further rules:
- We do not advise. The matrix shows, per requirement, what each document states. We do not recommend a policy.
- We do not quote premiums. Prices change faster than our checking cycle; they belong with the insurer.
- We do not publish unverified cells. A cell known only from a search snippet or a third party's summary stays empty until we read the primary document. It is then marked "not established" — a result, not an oversight.
"Not found in the document we checked" is not the same as "not covered". A policy can grant the coverage in wording that does not track the regulation's terms, or in a document version we did not see. An empty cell describes our search of one named document version on one date; only the insurer can confirm what a policy actually covers.
Three limits apply to every cell. Document versions differ by sales channel and country; we check the version that stood at the recorded URL on the recorded date. A consulate can keep its own list or add requirements — which is why the country's acceptance list appears next to the matrix. And the matrix says nothing about premiums, claims handling, or an insurer's financial strength.
How does this site make money?
As of August 31, 2026, it does not. CoverMandate carries no advertising, no commission links, and no paid placements. No insurer has paid to appear in the matrix, and no payment can change a verdict.
If commission links are added later, each will be labeled on the page where it appears, at the link itself — not only in a footer. Who operates the site is stated on the who-we-are page.
How do you report an error?
Through the report-an-error page. We check every report against the primary source within five working days. A confirmed error is corrected, and the correction is noted on the affected page with the date. A report that reveals a new document version triggers a re-check of the full row, not just the cell.