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Compare travel insurance

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Compare travel insurance
  By Cathy Toogood,  Author
Sep 25, 2021

What Kind Of Travel Insurance Should I Get?

Travel insurance is an essential for any holiday. Not only can it protect you financially should anything go wrong while you’re away – such as losing your baggage, becoming ill or having an accident – but, if you buy a policy as soon as you’ve booked, you could be covered for having to cancel in the run-up to your trip.

When taking out travel insurance, it’s important to choose the best policy type for your circumstances to ensure you’re adequately covered. Here we detail the key things to consider.

Who are you travelling with?

As well as travel insurance policies for individuals, you can also take out policies to cover all the people you are travelling with. This could work out as better value when compared to buying every person’s policy separately.

Policy types include:

  • Family travel insurance – this will, generally, cover two adults and their children under the age of 18. Some may cover grandchildren too. Make sure you read any limits the policy you are considering has, though, such as the number of children covered (which is typically eight)
     
  • Single–parent travel insurance – if you’re a single parent travelling with your kids, there are policies aimed at you too
     
  • Couples travel insurance – if you’re travelling with your other half, and are both over the age of 18, buying a joint policy may be a cost-effective option. However, make sure you read any policy’s terms and conditions before committing as you may need to have been in a relationship for a certain length of time or to live together to qualify
     
  • Group travel insurance – if you’re travelling with friends or with grown-up children who have left home, a group policy could be a good choice.

In any of these policies, look out for exclusions, age limits or limits on the number of travellers covered. And, if you take out an annual policy (rather than a single trip policy), check whether the individuals included on it will be covered by the policy when travelling alone or in groups.

As an example, children may not be covered by a family travel insurance policy when travelling without a parent.

Think about any pre-existing medical conditions anyone in your group has too as you’ll need to declare them and may need a specialist policy.

How often do you go away?

When taking out a new travel insurance policy, you’ll be asked whether you’d like to choose a single-trip or an annual policy, which will cover multiple trips in a year.

If you know you’ll be going away two or more times in a year, it’s worth comparing the price of single-trip policies with annual multi-trip policies. An annual policy is likely to work out as better value than buying several single-trip policies – and will save you the hassle of having to take a policy out with each trip.

With both policy types, check the number of days of travel you’ll be covered for on a particular trip, plus how many days in total annual policies cover you for. And, with annual multi-trip policies, think about where you’re likely to travel over the next year so you can choose the correct geographical cover (see below).

Where are you travelling to?

Another decision when taking out a travel insurance policy is the geographical area you’d like it to cover. Generally, you’ll be able to choose between:

  • UK travel insurance – to cover staycations. Check any terms and conditions such as a minimum number of nights away to qualify for cover as well as any stipulations around the distance your holiday must be from your home.
     
  • European travel insurance – check which destinations are covered by your insurer’s  definition of Europe before taking a policy out. Some but not all insurers will include destinations such as Egypt, Morocco and Turkey under European cover.
     
  • Worldwide travel insurance – there are often two kinds of worldwide travel insurance policies available, those that cover travel to the USA, Caribbean and Canada and those that exclude those territories. Policies covering travel to the USA, Canada and the Caribbean tend to be more expensive due to the higher cost of medical treatment there.

Whichever geographical cover you take out, it’s important to remember that your travel insurance is likely to be void if you visit a country against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

What kind of trip are you going on?

If you’re planning an extended trip or a trip-of-a-lifetime, you may need specialist insurance to cover you. Specialist policies include:

  • Backpacker travel insurance – standard travel insurance policies will only cover you for a limited number of days – perhaps 30 or 31. So, if you’re planning a gap year or another extended adventure, you may need to take out backpacker insurance. Some policies may offer additional cover to a standard policy too, such as cover for adventurous activities such as climbing or skiing .
     
  • Cruise travel insurance – cruise cover can protect you against things going wrong on an organised trip at sea, such as missed port stops due to bad weather or cabin confinement due to illness. You may have additional baggage or valuables limits too as you can take more luggage on board than you’d be able to on a flight.

What activities will you be taking part in?

If you plan to take part in high-adrenaline activities on your travels, check what your travel insurance covers you for as standard as well as any exclusions.

You’re likely to have to take out extra cover for certain sports and activities such as:

  • Winter sports travel insurance – whether you’re skiing, snowboarding or taking part in any other activities on the snow, it’s essential to take out specialist cover. This should protect you financially should you have an accident, there’s a piste closure or you lose any equipment. But always check any exclusions on a policy, such as any activities that won’t be covered.
  • Adventure sports travel insurance – whether you’re going away on a rock-climbing holiday or plan to go on a quad-biking excursion, check whether all of the activities you are taking part in on a holiday will be covered should something go wrong. If they aren’t included as standard, ask your insurer if you can add them on to a policy or seek out a specialist policy.

With both types of specialist cover, make sure you are familiar with the terms and conditions. As an example, you probably won’t be covered if you are taking part in an activity while under the influence of alcohol. You may also not be covered on some winter sports policies if you’re off-piste or you ignore advice to use a guide.

How old are you?

Travel insurers will, generally, charge older travellers more. This is because they see travellers over the age of 65 as more likely to make a medical claim and, therefore, a higher risk.

As people grow older, the number of insurance companies willing to cover them falls further, and prices increase. The trigger years for this happening tend to be 70, 75, 80 and so on.

Do you have a medical condition?

When you buy travel insurance, whatever your age, it’s essential that you are honest about any pre-existing medical conditions, past or present. Each insurer will have slightly different definitions, so talk to your insurer if you are unsure about which conditions you need to declare.

Disclosing conditions may push the price of a policy up and, with certain medical conditions, you may have to take out a specialist policy. But don’t be tempted to hide anything as, if you do, a claim could be turned down.

What to look for on all policy types

There are certain elements you should pay attention to on all travel insurance policies to give you peace of mind that you’ll be adequately protected should you need to make a claim.

Look carefully at the financial limits placed on each element of your policy. A solid policy will provide these levels of financial protection:

  • medical cover of £1 million or more for travel to Europe and £2 million or more for the USA
     
  • Repatriation cover (for medical reasons) included automatically
     
  • Cancellation or curtailment cover of £2,000 or more
     
  • Missed departure cover of £500 or more
     
  • Delay cover of £200 or more
     
  • Travel abandonment cover of £2,000 or more
     
  • Baggage cover of £1,500 or more
     
  • Personal liability cover of £2 million or more.

If you’ve not booked an ATOL-protected package holiday, you may want to look for a policy that includes ‘end supplier failure’ or ‘scheduled airline failure’ too. These will protect you financially should your travel company or airline fail – but read terms and conditions carefully as some airlines may be excluded from the cover.

These elements could prove to be invaluable at the moment as the coronavirus pandemic is placing travel companies under financial strain.

Don’t forget the ‘excess’ charge

The excess on a travel insurance policy is the amount that will be deducted from the money you receive if you make a successful claim. Check what this is and think realistically about whether you could afford to suffer the reduction. On some policies this may vary depending on what you are making a claim for.

And, if you have taken out a family or group travel insurance policy, make sure you’re clear on whether the excess is per person or per claim.

How can I find the best travel insurance deal?

Whatever kind of travel insurance policy you need, it’s important to shop around so you can find the best cover for you at the most competitive price. One way to do this is through a price-comparison service, which will allow you to enter your details once and then to see a number of policies side-by-side.

Learn more from our expert travel insurance guides

Flying when pregnant - what you need to know

Find Out More

Should you buy annual travel insurance?

Find Out More

Travel insurance for a one-off trip

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What is a GHIC - and do I need one?

Find Out More

Traveling in a group? Get the right insurance

Find Out More

Guide to winter sports travel insurance

Find Out More

Why do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance provides financial protection for your holiday. It will pay out in the event that your luggage is lost or stolen while you’re away, or if you fall ill or are injured and require medical treatment. It will also cover the costs of cancelling your trip due to reasons such as job loss, illness or bereavement.

When should I buy travel insurance?

It makes sense to buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday. This means you’ll be fully protected if you are forced to cancel your trip unexpectedly.

Many people leave buying their travel cover until pretty much the last minute. But the cancellation cover is a vital element, so buying when you book means you get maximum value out of your policy.

What type of travel insurance should I buy?

This will depend on where you’re going and for how long you’re going. The type of cover you choose will also depend on whether you are travelling with anyone else.

  • Single trip cover protects you for one trip to a specific destination over a set time
  • Annual multi-trip cover is designed for those planning to take more than two trips a year to multiple destinations
  • Family cover can work out cheaper for those planning to travel as a family
  • Group travel insurance is suitable for those travelling with up to 10 friends or family members, providing everyone is travelling from the same country
  • Backpacker cover is for those planning longer trips overseas, often to several countries
  • Business cover is designed for those travelling for business purposes
  • Cruise cover protects you for the activities and risks associated with cruise holidays
  • Worldwide cover allows you to travel to destinations across the globe (apart from those specifically excluded on the policy). It can either include or exclude the USA, Canada and the Caribbean, so make sure you check before you buy
  • European cover is suitable for those travelling to mainland Europe and is cheaper than worldwide cover. The definition of Europe can vary depending on the insurer so always check which countries are included before taking out a policy. For example, some include countries such as Turkey and Morocco in Europe for insurance purposes given their popularity for UK holidaymakers

Will I be covered for day trips, excursions and multiple destinations?

Your travel insurance policy will usually cover you for excursions that include visiting other countries for a day or two, but you should always check with your insurer beforehand to be sure.

If you have single-trip travel insurance and plan to visit more than one country on the same trip, you’ll usually still be covered – providing you specify this on your application and the trips are within the same geographic coverage areas. For example, if you have European cover, you’ll only be able to visit other countries within Europe, as defined by that particular insurer.

How long does travel insurance last?

Many travel insurance policies will cover you for up to 30 days at a time, but some will provide cover for up to 60 or even 90 days.

If you’re taking a longer trip, you may need a specialist plan, such as ‘backpacker’ cover, or a policy designed for those with homes abroad who spend several months each year there.

If you have an annual travel insurance policy, you’ll be covered for every trip you take in a 12-month period, but there is likely to be a limit on the duration of each trip – perhaps 30 or 60 days, as above.

Will I be covered for activities?

High-risk activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving and white-water rafting won’t usually be covered under standard travel insurance, nor will winter sports activities such as skiing. If you’re planning to take part in such activities you’ll need to take out additional cover to ensure you’re fully protected.

You may also not be covered if you undertake certain types of paid employment while you are on your trip, such as manual labour, working at heights and working with livestock.

Will I be covered for natural disasters or terrorism?

This will depend on the policy. Some will automatically provide cover if you have to cancel your trip due to a natural disaster – such as volcanic eruptions or earthquakes – or due to a terrorist attack. But most will require you to pay a little extra to bolt this cover on to your policy.

Keep in mind that no travel insurance policy will provide cover if you travel to a country the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against visiting. Always check the FCDO website in advance to make sure you don’t get caught out.

Will I be covered for COVID-19?

Again, this depends on the policy. Some insurers will cover you for medical expenses related to Covid-19 if you catch the virus while you’re away but won’t provide cover if you need to cancel your trip in advance.

Other policies will cover you for both medical treatment and cancellation costs, so check the terms of your policy to be sure. You may be able to pay to upgrade an existing policy to increase the cover it provides.

What is ‘end supplier failure' cover?

End supplier failure cover will pay out in the event your hotel, travel company or airline goes into administration and your holiday is cancelled or curtailed. Some policies will include this as standard, but for the majority, there will be the option to add it on separately.

Scheduled airline failure is similar and will pay out if your airline goes out of business. Again, in most cases you will need to pay extra for this cover.

Will I be covered for pre-existing medical conditions?

You can still buy standard travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but claims related to that particular condition will usually be excluded.

Alternatively, you could choose to pay more to buy a specialist travel insurance policy that includes cover for the condition.

Note that you will be asked when you apply for travel insurance whether you have a pre-existing medical condition. It is important to answer this question honestly and in full because, if you make a claim and it comes to light that you have a condition but you didn’t mention it when asked, your claim might not be paid.

Should I declare a pre-existing condition even if I have had no symptoms in recent years?

It’s important that you are honest about any pre-existing conditions, even those that you haven’t suffered from for years.

If you don’t disclose certain pre-existing conditions and later make a claim, your insurer may reject it if it can be linked to your medical history.

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

Pregnancy is not usually classed as a medical condition, so providing your pregnancy is straightforward you should be covered under a standard travel insurance policy.

However, if you have any conditions as a result of the pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, you must declare these on your application as a pre-existing condition.

Note, too, that policies usually only cover pregnancy up to 37 or 38 weeks. If you are expecting twins you may only have cover up until 32 weeks due to a higher risk of giving birth prematurely.

If you give birth while away, you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance for any costs associated with a routine birth. But if there are complications and your health is affected, necessitating additional care and associated costs, you may be able to claim. You would need to check your policy wording.

Note also that your airline may impose restrictions on flying while pregnant, so it is worth checking these for your return journey.

Do I need travel insurance for a staycation?

It’s still wise to buy travel insurance if you’re planning a UK holiday as it will ensure you are not left out of pocket if your luggage is lost or stolen or if you need to cancel your trip.

And although access to the NHS means you won’t need insurance to cover your medical bills, travel insurance will cover the cost of transferring you to a hospital closer to home if required.

To count as a UK holiday, you will normally need to stay in pre-booked paid-for accommodation that is over a given distance from your home address (perhaps 30 miles).

Can I extend my policy on holiday?

If you want your holiday to last longer than originally planned, you may be able to extend your policy while you’re abroad. But it’s important to contact your provider as soon as possible as it may be harder to extend cover if your policy has already expired.

Can I cancel my cover?

Yes, providing you do this within the first 14 days of receiving your travel insurance documents. This is known as the ‘cooling-off period’ and, so long as you cancel within that time and have not already made a claim or travelled, you will be given a full refund.

This 14-day cooling-off period also applies if your annual multi-trip cover has automatically renewed and you no longer need the policy.

Do I need travel insurance if I have an EHIC/GHIC?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), will give you access to state healthcare while you’re away on the same terms as a local in EU countries.

However, while this can be useful if you need medical care while you’re away, a EHIC and GHIC should not be seen as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance. That’s because EHICs and GHICs do not provide cover for private medical healthcare or repatriation should you need to fly home, and they will not cover the costs involved if you lose your luggage or cancel your trip.

What is a travel insurance excess?

The excess is the sum you will need to pay towards the cost of any claim you make (it will be deducted from the amount you receive). You can usually choose how much you want to pay, but this will typically be between £50 and £100.

If you choose a higher excess, the cost of your travel insurance premiums will be lower. However, if you set it too high, you might reach a point where your insurance policy is not worth having. Also check if different items on your policy have different excess amounts.

Is there any age limit for travel insurance?

The older you are, the more you are likely to pay for your travel insurance. This is simply because older travellers are more likely to make a claim. As a result, you may find that some insurers won’t provide cover if you’re over a certain age, and you’ll need to look for specialist cover elsewhere.

FAQS

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