We talk to hundreds of hikers every summer at our luggage storage in Shkodër. Many are heading to the Peaks of the Balkans, Valbona-Theth, or the Koman Lake ferry. And every season, we hear the same stories about insurance gone wrong.
Here are the five most common mistakes — and how to avoid every single one.
Mistake #1: Buying the Cheapest Travel Insurance You Can Find
The mistake: You search online, sort by price, and buy a €12 policy from a comparison website. It says "medical expenses up to €500,000." You feel covered.
The reality: That €12 policy almost certainly excludes:
- Search & Rescue operations
- Helicopter evacuation
- Hiking above 2,000m (the Peaks of the Balkans goes above 2,500m)
- Activities classified as "hazardous sports"
- Multi-country coverage (you need Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro)
A €500,000 medical limit means nothing if the policy won't pay to get you off the mountain in the first place.
The fix: Read the exclusions, not the limits. Or choose Adventure Insurance that is purpose-built for mountain trekking in the Balkans.
Mistake #2: Assuming Your Home Country Health Insurance Works Abroad
The mistake: "I have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), so I'm covered."
The reality:
- The EHIC provides reciprocal public healthcare, not emergency rescue or repatriation
- Albania is not in the EU — the EHIC has no validity in Albania
- Kosovo is not in the EU — the EHIC has no validity in Kosovo
- Montenegro has limited reciprocal agreements with some EU states, but coverage is basic
- The EHIC never covers search and rescue, helicopter evacuation, or medical repatriation
The fix: Treat EHIC as a bonus, not a replacement. You need dedicated travel or adventure insurance for any trip to the Balkans.
Mistake #3: Not Checking the Altitude Limit
The mistake: You buy a travel insurance policy that covers hiking. You assume it covers all hiking.
The reality: Most standard travel policies set an altitude limit — typically 2,000m or 3,000m. Above that altitude, your policy is void.
On the Peaks of the Balkans:
- Stage 1 (Theth to Valbona Pass): 1,795m ✅ (usually under limits)
- Stage 3 (Dobërdol area): up to 2,100m ⚠️ (borderline)
- Stage 5 (Prokletije ridge): up to 2,500m+ ❌ (above most limits)
If you are injured at 2,300m and your policy caps at 2,000m, you have no coverage.
The fix: Choose insurance with no altitude restriction. Adventure Insurance from Store & Go has no altitude limit — it covers wherever the trail goes.
Mistake #4: Buying Insurance After Starting Your Trip
The mistake: "I'll buy insurance when I get to Shkodër" or "I'll do it from the guesthouse in Theth."
The reality:
- Insurance policies have a cooling-off period — cover doesn't start immediately
- If you are already on the trail, you may not have phone signal to complete the purchase
- Some policies require purchase in your home country before departure
- If you are already injured or ill, no insurer will cover pre-existing conditions
The fix: Buy your insurance before you leave home, or at the very latest, before you start your trek. You can build your quote in 2 minutes from your phone and finalise via WhatsApp.
Mistake #5: Choosing Essential Tier When You Need Adventure
The mistake: You see three pricing tiers — Essential, Adventure, Adventure+ — and pick the cheapest one.
The reality: Our Essential tier provides medical cover only. It does not include:
- Mountain Search & Rescue
- Emergency Evacuation
- Medical Repatriation
- Trip Curtailment
- Baggage Cover
Essential is designed for low-risk activities: city stays, ferry rides as a standalone trip, day walks on maintained paths. It is not designed for the Peaks of the Balkans or the Valbona-Theth crossing.
If you are trekking above 1,500m, sleeping in mountain guesthouses, and hiking through areas without road access, you need Adventure or Adventure+.
The fix: Choose your tier based on your activity, not your budget. The price difference between Essential and Adventure is small compared to a €5,000 rescue bill.
The Bottom Line
Every one of these mistakes is easily avoidable. The pattern is the same: hikers underestimate the risks of mountain terrain in a region where rescue infrastructure is still developing, and they buy insurance designed for a different type of trip.
The Peaks of the Balkans and the Valbona-Theth trail are extraordinary experiences. They deserve insurance that actually matches the adventure.