A guide to buying travel insurance

In this guide, we'll provide you with all the information you need to know to make an informed decision when purchasing travel insurance. From the dos and don’ts to the benefits and types of cover available, we explore all you need to consider when purchasing travel insurance.

Dos and don'ts of buying travel insurance

When it comes to buying travel insurance, there are some important considerations to keep in mind:

Do:

• Research different travel insurance providers and policies to find the best fit for your needs.

• Understand the cover provided by your policy, including medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, and emergency evacuation.

• Consider the length and cost of your trip when choosing a policy.

• Purchase travel insurance as soon as you've made a deposit or payment towards your trip to ensure full cover.

• Make sure to declare pre-existing medical conditions, and that these have been correctly noted on your policy. Failure to do so could mean that your policy is invalidated, and you may have to cover the cost of medical treatment yourself, which can run into the tens of thousands of pounds.

Don't:

• Assume that your credit card or other insurance policies will provide adequate cover for your trip.

• Overlook the importance of reading the fine print and understanding any exclusions or limitations in your policy.

• Wait until the last minute to purchase travel insurance, as some policies may have restrictions or exclusions if purchased too close to your departure date.

It's also worth considering how the type of holiday you’re going on will have an impact on the travel insurance you purchase, how extensive the policy should be, and how this impacts the price of the policy. You may be charged a higher premium if you’re holiday presents an increased risk, such as if you’re going to be doing winter or water sports. 

Common holiday types may include:

Adventure holidays

If you're planning on doing activities like skiing, snowboarding, bungee jumping, or other extreme sports, you'll want to look for a policy that includes winter sports cover. If you’re planning to do white water rafting, sailing, water-skiing or other water sports, or competing in events, you’ll need to make sure this is disclosed and covered. It's important to make sure your policy covers any medical expenses and emergency evacuation in case of an accident.

Beach holidays

For a relaxing beach holiday you might not need as much cover for activities, but you'll still want to make sure you’re protected in case of lost or stolen belongings, trip cancellations or interruptions, and medical emergencies.

Backpacking trips

If you're planning a backpacking trip, you may want to consider a policy that provides cover for unexpected events, such as trip cancellations or interruptions, as well as emergency medical care and evacuation. Additionally, you'll want to make sure your policy covers any activities you plan to do along the way.

Cruise holidays

A cruise holiday may have different cover needs than other types of holidays. Look for a policy that includes cover for things like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, missed port departures, and lost or stolen belongings.

City breaks

If you’re planning a city break you may not need as much cover for activities, but you'll still want to make sure you have cover for medical emergencies, lost or stolen belongings, and trip cancellations or interruptions.

Business trips

While not a holiday, you will need to make sure you have travel insurance if you are travelling abroad for work. If your work trip involves manual labour then this will also need to be disclosed when purchasing the policy to make sure you have the right cover.  

The benefits of travel insurance

Like most insurance policies, travel insurance is designed to provide peace of mind and protection should the worst happen. There are different features to choose from when purchasing travel insurance, which offer different benefits. Here are some of the most common benefits of travel insurance:

Medical expenses cover

If you become ill or injured during your trip, travel insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatment as well as repatriation back to the UK.

Trip cancellation or interruption cover

If you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or natural disaster, travel insurance can help cover the cost of non-refundable expenses.

Emergency evacuation cover

In the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster or political unrest, travel insurance can help cover the cost of evacuation.

Baggage and personal items cover

If your luggage or personal items are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, travel insurance can help cover the cost of replacement. 

Types of travel insurance cover

There are several types of travel insurance cover available to choose from. Here are some of the most common types:

Single-trip cover

This type of cover is ideal for those taking one trip and covers the duration of the trip.

Annual/multi-trip cover

If you travel frequently, this type of cover provides insurance for an unlimited number of trips within a year. To find out more and get comprehensive travel insurance tailored to your holiday, contact our team on 01603 649650.