Choosing the right travel insurance policy is vital while going on holiday.
Amid the excitement of booking flights, hotels and restaurants, travel insurance can be easy to overlook – until you’re faced with the prospect of unexpected medical costs, cancelled flights, or lost luggage.
We look at how to pick the best travel insurance for your trip.
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8 tips to find the best travel insurance
1. Check if you’re already covered
Before buying a new policy, check whether you already have travel insurance through a packaged bank account or another financial product. Some current accounts include worldwide travel insurance as a benefit, and although the account may have a monthly fee, you could potentially save on the cost of buying separate cover.
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For example, Nationwide Building Society’s FlexPlus account, which costs £18 a month, includes worldwide family travel insurance with some winter sports coverage.
2. Don’t leave it to the last minute
Once you’ve booked your trip, getting travel insurance should be at the top of your list. It means that as soon as you’ve made any non-refundable bookings, you’ll be protected if illness or cancellations of any unforeseen events prevent you from travelling.
According to Go.Compare, one in four holidaymakers wait until the day of departure to buy travel insurance, leaving themselves exposed if something goes wrong beforehand.
Rhys Jones from Go.Compare says: “The best time to book travel insurance is as soon as you’ve made any financial commitments toward your trip, such as booking flights, accommodation, or tours. That way, you’ll have more comprehensive options and peace of mind knowing you’re protected long before your journey begins.”
3. Cheap isn’t always best
Comparison sites are a useful starting point when you’re searching for a travel insurance policy, allowing you to compare quotes from a host of providers in minutes. But the cheapest policy won’t necessarily be the best value. You should pay close attention to policy exclusions and excesses, particularly if you’re travelling with expensive belongings or have pre-existing medical conditions.
4. Are you covered for your destination?
Make sure your travel insurance covers the locations you’re planning to visit. Most policies have ‘European’ or ‘Worldwide’ cover, but this doesn’t always mean every country is included.
Some policies won’t cover you for travel to major destinations like the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, or exclude Turkey from European cover. On the other hand, some non-European countries, like Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, might be included in European cover. It’s always best to make sure.
5. Is travel insurance worth it for UK holidays?
If you’ve booked a UK holiday, things work a bit differently. You won’t need cover for NHS treatment, but it could still be useful to have insurance, depending on the nature of your trip. A policy may cover lost baggage, last-minute cancellations, or if you become unwell and can’t go.
However, most insurers only cover UK breaks involving at least two consecutive nights in pre-booked accommodation, and camping trips often don’t count, so be sure to check the small print.
6. Consider annual cover
If you travel several times a year, an annual multi-trip policy could be more economical than buying separate insurance for each holiday. However, be aware that annual insurance policies cap the number of days you can be on holiday per trip, so check that limit if you’re planning an extended stay abroad.
7. Declare any medical conditions
It might be tempting to omit certain details about your medical condition to keep costs down, but if you do end up needing to make a claim and your undeclared condition is revealed, your claim is very likely to be rejected. This would leave you responsible for significant medical expenses overseas, as well as the cost of repatriation if necessary.
8. Do you need specialist cover?
Standard policies don’t usually include every activity. If you’re planning a ski holiday, golf break or heading on a cruise, you may need to pay a premium for specialist protection. We have a separate guide on activities your travel insurance might not cover.
What about the GHIC?
Since Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) has replaced the old European Health Insurance Card. The card is free to apply for and gives you access to state healthcare in most European countries, either for free or at a reduced cost.
While it’s a good idea to have a GHIC, it is not a replacement for travel insurance ‒ you should have both. Find out more about the GHIC and how to apply on the NHS website.
How to make a claim on your travel insurance
You hopefully won’t need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy, but it’s worth understanding the process before you travel to make things less stressful.
If things go astray, here are a few things to remember:
1. If you make a claim while travelling: Keep your policy number and emergency contact details in hand. Save all receipts and paperwork so the claim is easily dealt with.
2. If you make a claim after getting home: Check the insurer’s claims deadline, your policy limits and any excess before submitting your paperwork. Once you’ve got all the information, contact your insurer and ask them to send you a claim form.
If your belongings are stolen, Sean Doolan at travel insurance broker Swinton Travel Insurance recommends: “In the case of theft or loss, report it to the local police within 24 hours and obtain a crime reference number.
“You’ll need to gather the necessary documentation to support your claim, including receipts or proof of purchase for lost or stolen items, medical reports and hospital bills for illness or injury, police or incident reports for theft or accidents, travel documents like boarding passes or delay notifications, and photographs of any damaged belongings.”
3. If you make a medical claim: Contact your insurer before receiving medical treatment wherever possible. In an emergency, call their helpline as soon as you can. You may have to pay any medical expenses upfront, up to a certain amount, so keep all receipts for reimbursement.
