Travel insurance can help protect you against unexpected costs when a trip doesn’t go according to plan. From medical emergencies abroad to cancelled holidays and lost baggage, the right policy can provide valuable financial protection before and during your trip.
However, travel insurance policies aren’t all the same. The level of cover, exclusions, excesses and activities included can vary considerably between providers and policies.
This guide explains what travel insurance can cover, when you should consider buying it and some of the important details to check before choosing a policy for your next trip.
What Is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection against certain unexpected events connected with travelling.
Exactly what you’re covered for depends on the policy you choose, so it’s important to read the policy documents rather than assuming every travel insurance policy provides the same protection.
Depending on the policy, cover can include emergency medical treatment abroad, cancellation or curtailment, lost or stolen belongings, travel disruption and certain activities.
Some policies are designed for a single trip, while annual travel insurance can cover multiple trips during a specified period, subject to the policy’s limits and conditions.
When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?
It’s worth considering travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip rather than waiting until shortly before you travel.
One reason is cancellation cover. If your policy includes cancellation and an insured event prevents you from travelling before your departure date, you may be able to make a claim subject to the policy terms.
Buying travel insurance immediately before leaving could mean you have had no cancellation protection during the weeks or months between booking and travelling.
Always check when cover begins, as different parts of a policy may take effect at different times.
If you’re still organising your holiday, our holiday preparation guide covers more of the things to consider before travelling.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
The exact cover depends on the policy, but there are several areas commonly associated with travel insurance.
Don’t choose a policy based solely on its headline price. Check the limits, exclusions and excesses for the types of cover that matter to your trip.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Medical cover is one of the most important reasons to consider travel insurance when travelling abroad.
Unexpected illness or injury can result in medical treatment, hospital bills, emergency transport or the need to return home for medical reasons.
Check the medical expenses limit and whether the policy covers emergency transport and repatriation where required.
You should also make sure the policy covers the full duration of your trip and the countries you’re visiting.
Trip Cancellation
Cancellation cover may help if you have to cancel your trip for a reason covered by your policy.
The circumstances covered vary between policies, so don’t assume you’ll be reimbursed whenever you decide not to travel.
Check both the reasons for cancellation that are covered and the maximum amount the insurer will pay. Ideally, the limit should be appropriate for the prepaid costs you’re at risk of losing.
Cutting a Trip Short
Sometimes referred to as curtailment, this cover may help if you need to return home earlier than planned because of an insured event.
Again, the circumstances and costs covered will depend on your travel insurance policy.
Check what evidence the insurer may require and contact the insurer as soon as reasonably possible if you need to change your travel plans because of an emergency.
Baggage and Personal Belongings
Some travel insurance policies provide cover if your baggage or personal possessions are lost, stolen or damaged.
Look beyond the overall baggage limit. Policies can also have individual item limits that restrict how much you can claim for a single possession.
This can be particularly important if you’re travelling with expensive electronics, jewellery, cameras or other valuable items.
There may also be specific requirements for keeping valuables with you or securing belongings when they’re left unattended.
Our international travel packing list can help you prepare what you need before departure.
Delayed or Disrupted Travel
Depending on the policy, travel insurance may provide some protection for certain delays or disruption.
The conditions can vary considerably, including how long you need to be delayed before any benefit becomes available and which circumstances qualify.
Keep receipts and documentation if disruption causes additional costs, as these may be needed if you make a claim.
If your flight is disrupted, you may also have rights that are separate from your travel insurance. Our guide to claiming flight compensation explains this in more detail.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
Pre-existing medical conditions are an important consideration when buying travel insurance.
You may need to declare existing medical conditions, ongoing treatment and, depending on the questions asked, other relevant medical circumstances when applying for cover.
Don’t deliberately leave out information because you’re worried it will increase the price. If information required by the insurer isn’t disclosed accurately, it could affect your cover or a future claim.
Check whether your medical condition is covered and whether any exclusions have been applied to the policy.
If you’re having difficulty finding appropriate travel insurance because of a more serious pre-existing medical condition, specialist providers may be worth considering.
Is a GHIC or EHIC a Replacement for Travel Insurance?
No. A valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or an existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) while it remains valid, isn’t a replacement for travel insurance.
These cards can provide access to medically necessary state healthcare in eligible countries on the applicable terms, but they don’t provide all the protection offered by travel insurance.
For example, they don’t cover private medical healthcare or repatriation to the UK.
If you’re travelling somewhere your GHIC or EHIC can be used, check the official GOV.UK guidance on using a GHIC or EHIC abroad and carry the card alongside suitable travel insurance.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Activities and Sports?
Not necessarily.
If you’re planning activities such as skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving or adventure sports, check whether they’re included before buying your policy.
Some activities may be covered as standard, while others might require additional cover or a specialist policy.
Pay attention to conditions as well. A policy may cover an activity only within certain limits or when appropriate safety equipment is used.
For a winter holiday in particular, check whether you need dedicated winter sports cover. Our winter travel guide has more advice for travelling during the colder months.
What Isn’t Covered by Travel Insurance?
Every policy has exclusions, and understanding them is just as important as checking what is covered.
Common areas to investigate include undeclared medical conditions, certain high-risk activities, travel against official advice and incidents involving alcohol or drugs.
There can also be restrictions relating to unattended belongings, valuables, the duration of your trip and the destinations you’re visiting.
The exclusions vary by insurer and policy, so always read the terms that apply to the cover you’re considering.
Check FCDO Travel Advice
Before booking and again before travelling, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for your destination.
This can include information about safety and security, entry requirements, health risks and other issues affecting travellers.
It can also be relevant to travel insurance. Policies may restrict or exclude cover when travelling to a destination against FCDO advice.
If official advice changes after you’ve booked, check your policy and contact your travel provider or insurer where appropriate rather than assuming what will happen.
Single-Trip vs Annual Travel Insurance
One decision you’ll need to make is whether to buy single-trip or annual travel insurance.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
A single-trip policy is designed for a particular trip.
It can make sense if you travel infrequently or need cover tailored to one holiday.
Check the destination, dates and trip duration carefully when arranging the policy.
Annual Travel Insurance
Annual or multi-trip travel insurance is designed to cover multiple eligible trips during the policy period.
This can be convenient if you travel several times a year, but don’t assume every trip is automatically covered.
Policies can impose maximum lengths for individual trips, geographic restrictions and limits on particular activities.
Compare the policy terms with the trips you’re actually likely to take rather than choosing annual cover simply because you expect to travel more than once.
European or Worldwide Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is often offered with different geographical areas of cover.
European cover may be appropriate for certain trips within Europe, while worldwide policies are intended to cover a wider range of destinations.
However, insurers can define geographical regions differently.
Don’t rely only on labels such as “Europe” or “worldwide”. Check that every country you’re planning to visit is specifically covered by the policy.
This is particularly important for multi-destination trips.
How Much Travel Insurance Cover Do You Need?
There isn’t one amount of travel insurance cover that’s appropriate for every traveller.
Consider the potential costs associated with your particular trip.
For cancellation cover, think about how much you’ve paid in advance and how much of that money could be lost if you had to cancel for an insured reason.
For baggage, consider the value of what you’re taking and check both the overall limit and any single-item limits.
Medical expenses can be particularly costly in some destinations, making it important to understand the medical cover provided by the policy.
Rather than simply choosing the policy with the largest headline numbers, compare the limits and conditions with your actual travel plans.
What Is a Travel Insurance Excess?
An excess is an amount you may have to contribute towards a claim.
For example, if a valid claim is subject to an excess, the insurer may deduct that amount from the settlement.
Policies can apply excesses differently, so check the terms carefully. There may be different excesses for different sections of cover.
A cheaper policy with a high excess isn’t automatically better value than a more expensive policy with a lower excess.
Consider the overall cover rather than comparing premiums alone.
Check the Maximum Trip Length
This can be easy to overlook, particularly with annual travel insurance.
An annual policy doesn’t necessarily mean you can remain abroad continuously for the entire year. There may be a maximum number of days allowed for each individual trip.
If you’re planning an extended holiday, backpacking trip or long stay abroad, check the maximum trip duration before buying.
Exceeding the permitted duration could affect your cover.
Check Your Existing Cover Before Buying
Before purchasing travel insurance, check whether you already have some form of cover.
For example, travel insurance can sometimes be included as a benefit with certain packaged bank accounts or other financial products.
If you already have a policy, don’t simply assume it covers your next holiday. Check the destinations, trip duration, travellers, medical circumstances and activities against the policy terms.
You may find that existing cover is suitable, needs extending or doesn’t meet the requirements of your trip.
Travelling With Valuable Items
If you’re taking expensive belongings abroad, check the single-item limits in your travel insurance policy.
The overall baggage limit can look generous while the maximum payout for an individual item is considerably lower.
This matters when travelling with expensive phones, laptops, cameras, jewellery or specialist equipment.
Some belongings may need to be declared separately or insured elsewhere if their value exceeds the limits provided by your travel insurance.
Travel Insurance for Cruises
Cruises can introduce circumstances that aren’t relevant to a typical hotel holiday.
If you’re taking a cruise, check whether your travel insurance covers the itinerary and any cruise-specific risks that matter to you.
Depending on the policy, specialist cruise cover or an optional extension may be available.
Also make sure all the destinations on the itinerary fall within the geographical area covered by your policy.
Travel Insurance When Flying With Pets
Standard travel insurance is primarily designed to protect the people travelling, so don’t assume it provides the protection you need for a pet.
If you’re travelling with an animal, check exactly what your policy covers and whether separate pet-related protection is needed.
You’ll also need to understand the transport provider’s requirements and the entry rules at your destination.
Our guide to flying with pets covers more of the preparation involved.
What to Check Before Buying Travel Insurance
Before buying travel insurance, compare more than the price.
Check that the policy covers your destination, the full length of your trip and the people travelling. Review the limits for medical expenses, cancellation, baggage and any other cover that’s important to you.
You should also check:
- The policy excesses
- Pre-existing medical condition requirements
- Activities and sports you plan to take part in
- Individual item limits for valuables
- Maximum trip duration
- Geographical restrictions
- Significant exclusions
- Whether additional cover is required for your type of holiday
Read the policy documents before buying so you understand what is and isn’t covered.
What Should You Do If You Need to Make a Claim?
If something happens during your trip, check your policy documents for the insurer’s claims procedure.
Contact the insurer promptly where required and keep relevant evidence.
Depending on the type of claim, this could include receipts, booking confirmations, medical documents, reports relating to lost or stolen belongings and evidence of delays or cancellations.
For medical emergencies, your insurer may provide an emergency assistance number that you should contact as soon as reasonably possible.
Keep your policy details somewhere accessible while travelling and consider leaving a copy with someone you trust at home.
Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
Whether you choose to buy travel insurance is a personal decision, but travelling without appropriate cover can leave you responsible for significant unexpected costs.
Medical treatment abroad can be particularly expensive, while cancellation, lost belongings and disruption can also result in financial losses.
The important thing is to choose travel insurance based on the trip you’re actually taking rather than simply selecting the cheapest policy available.
Check the destinations, duration, activities, medical circumstances, cancellation costs and belongings you want to protect. Then read the policy terms carefully so you understand the cover and exclusions before you travel.
Taking a little time to compare travel insurance before your trip can help you understand what protection you have if something unexpected happens while you’re away.
Comment (0)