Many visa applicants print out an online quote or a payment receipt and assume it proves they have travel insurance. In most cases it does not. This guide explains the difference between a quote, a receipt, a policy schedule, a certificate and the policy wording – and which of these an embassy will actually accept.
Short Answer: Usually No – a Quote Is Not Proof of Insurance
A quote is an offer to insure you, not evidence that a policy exists. It typically shows a price, a coverage level and the dates you entered, but it has no policy number, no issue date and no confirmation that cover has started. Most consulates will reject it as proof of insurance.
What they want to see is a document confirming that a real, active policy has been issued in your name, for the correct dates and destination, with the required minimum medical coverage and repatriation.
⚠️ The Rule of Thumb
If the document does not carry a policy number, the insurer's name and contact details, your name and passport details, the trip dates and destination, and the coverage amount, it is not a certificate – and it is unlikely to be accepted.
The Five Documents, Explained
Applicants often use these terms interchangeably. They are not the same thing, and embassies treat them very differently.
| Document | What It Shows | Accepted by Embassy? |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | A price offer based on the details you entered. No policy number, no cover in force. | No |
| Payment receipt | Proof you paid a premium. Does not itself list coverage, dates or insured details. | Rarely – only alongside a certificate |
| Policy schedule | Summary of the issued policy: insured name, policy number, dates, coverage limits. | Yes, usually |
| Certificate of insurance | Formal confirmation of cover, issued by the insurer, often with a verification reference. | Yes – the standard document |
| Policy wording | The full terms and conditions, exclusions and claims process. | Rarely requested, but useful to have |
Why Embassies Reject Quotes
Visa officers are trained to spot documents that look like insurance but are not. A quote fails on several counts:
- No evidence cover exists. A quote can be generated without any commitment, so it proves nothing about your actual cover.
- No policy number. Without a number, the embassy cannot verify the policy with the insurer.
- Not personalised. Many quotes do not include your full name or passport number.
- No issue date or insurer confirmation. There is no indication that a contract has been formed.
In practice, a quote is treated the same as an empty form: it shows intent, not insurance.
When a Receipt Alone Might Be Enough – and When It Is Not
Some insurers issue a combined document that serves as both receipt and certificate. If the receipt includes the policy number, insured details, dates, destination and coverage limits, and is issued by the insurer (not just a payment processor), it can be accepted.
A standalone payment receipt from a bank, card processor or booking platform is not proof of insurance. It only proves money moved.
💡 Check the Issuer, Not Just the Content
If the document is issued by a travel agency or broker rather than the insurer, check whether the embassy accepts broker-issued certificates. Many do, but some require the insurer's own certificate or a verification link.
What Schengen Embassies Specifically Require
For a Schengen visa, the insurance document must show:
- Minimum €30,000 medical and hospital coverage
- Coverage valid in all Schengen states
- Cover for repatriation (including in case of death)
- Validity for the entire duration of stay
- The insured person's name, and usually passport number
- The policy number and the insurer's contact details
A quote will almost never contain all of these. A certificate or policy schedule will.
What to Request from Your Insurer
Before you submit, ask your insurer for a certificate of insurance or policy schedule that explicitly states it is valid for visa purposes. Specifically, request that the document:
- Shows your full name as it appears in your passport and your passport number
- States the policy number and the issue date
- Lists the exact start and end dates of cover, matching your trip
- Confirms coverage of at least €30,000 (or the destination's requirement)
- Confirms cover in all required countries/territories
- Confirms repatriation cover
- Includes the insurer's name, address and 24/7 emergency contact
- Where possible, includes a verification reference or link the embassy can check
What If You Only Have a Quote Right Now?
If your appointment is soon and you have not yet purchased a policy, do not submit the quote. Either purchase the policy and download the certificate, or use a service that issues a verifiable insurance reservation or certificate for visa purposes. The key is that the document must confirm cover, not just offer it.
If you are unsure whether your document is sufficient, compare it against the checklist above. If any of the eight items are missing, request an updated certificate from your insurer before submitting.
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