How to get the best travel insurance

Finding the best travel insurance policy is vital for holidaymakers to avoid getting stung by unexpected costs, whether you’re exploring places close to home or jetting off on a last-minute holiday

But amidst the excitement of booking flights and sorting out travel money, travel insurance can be easy to overlook. Heading off on your travels without putting the right insurance in place could come back to bite you, as you may be stuck paying for unexpected medical fees, last-minute flight cancellations, or costs due to delays that are out of your control. 

While having one of the best cards for travel can provide some insurance coverage, it’s usually better to have a dedicated policy that covers you for everything you’re likely to need. The last thing you want is for your dream vacation to turn into a nightmare.  

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So how do you pick the best travel insurance for your trip?  

1.Check if you’re already covered 

Before you shell out for a new travel insurance policy, take a look at what you’ve already got, so you don’t end up paying twice. This can be the case with packaged bank accounts that charge a monthly fee and in return provide you with travel insurance as one of the benefits.

For example, Nationwide Building Society’s FlexPlus account includes worldwide family travel insurance, which includes some winter sports coverage, for just £13 a month. If you’ve got a packaged account, double-check if it comes with travel insurance, whether it’s enough for your upcoming trip, and if covers your whole travel party. 

2. Don’t leave travel insurance to the last minute 

Once you’ve booked your trip, getting travel insurance should be at the top of your list, not something you scramble for just before you head off on your travels. 

According to data from Go.Compare, nearly a third of holidaymakers leave their travel insurance to the last minute. But if someone falls ill before the trip, your holiday gets cancelled, or you run into travel delays, you might find yourself out of pocket and unable to claim compensation.

Rhys Jones, from Go.Compare, said: “You may find that a policy bought last minute won’t include cancellation cover - and cancellation is one of the main reasons people claim on a travel insurance policy. So in those instances, purchasing insurance right after you start paying for your trip could save you considerable money and stress.”

3. Cheap isn’t always best 

When looking for the best travel insurance policy, it’s a good idea to use price comparison sites to find options. You can quickly get quotes from a host of different travel insurance providers, filter them according to your needs and make an informed decision about the best policy for you.

Make sure you compare the details of what each policy covers and don’t just pick the cheapest. There are often a number of exclusions and the policy terms will vary depending on your age, medical history and the duration of the trip. 

4. Make sure you’re 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 you plan to visit is included – especially if you’re going off the beaten track. 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. Consider travel insurance for UK trips  

If you’ve booked a UK trip, things work a bit differently. You won’t need to fork out money for medical emergencies, as you can access your norm healthcare provider – the NHS or your private healthcare plan if you have one. 

But depending on the nature of your trip, it could still be useful to have travel insurance in place to cover things like lost baggage, last-minute cancellations, or if you become unwell and can’t go. 

Note that most travel insurance policies only cover UK holidays if it involves spending at least two consecutive nights in booked accommodation. Camping trips often don’t count, so be sure to check the small print.

6. Annual cover is an option if you travel frequently 

If you travel more than once or twice a year, an annual insurance policy can often work out cheaper and it saves you having to sort out cover each time you head off on a trip. It’s worth remembering that annual travel insurance policies cap the number of days you can be on holiday, per trip, so be sure to check that limit before you buy it.  

7. Be open about your medical conditions  

When it comes to medical conditions and insurance, honesty is the best policy. Even if that means slightly higher upfront insurance costs, it’s better than having your claim denied later on. 

With some medical conditions, there’s a higher chance you might need medical attention on your trip. It might be tempting to omit certain details about your condition to keep costs down, but if you do end up needing to make a claim and your undeclared pre-existing condition is revealed, your claim is very likely to be rejected. 

This would leave you to cover the costs of your treatment and any associated costs (transportation home, for example), making it an extremely expensive affair. 

9. Do you need extra cover?  

If you’re likely to be undertaking adventurous activities during your holidays, check if your insurance policy has your back. 

Standard policies don’t usually include things like winter sports or cruises, so you might need to pay extra for those. The same applies if you’re getting married abroad or even if you’re heading for the golf course. Pick a package that ticks all the boxes for your trip, so you’re not left footing the bill if things go wrong.  

For more information, check out our guide to activities your travel insurance might not cover.

Do your research on claims  

Ideally, you won’t need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy. However, if you do, you want to be confident that you are in safe hands with your provider.  

As such, it’s important to do some research on the travel insurance provider’s claims record, how reliable they are when it comes to paying up, and their customer service. That way, you’ll know if it’s worth paying a bit extra for cover with an insurer that’s more reliable. 

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. 

What is not covered by travel insurance? 

While your travel insurance will cover most unexpected circumstances, don’t always count on your insurer covering the costs. 

If you miss your flight because you slept in, lose your belongings or hurt yourself because you were under the influence of alcohol, your insurer isn’t likely to help you out. The same goes if you stash your valuables in your checked luggage and they get damaged. 

However, remember that every insurance policy has its own set of exclusions, so give the fine print a once-over to save yourself some major headaches down the line.  

How to make a claim on your travel insurance  

If things go astray, you should know how to claim on your insurance policy. Here are a few things to remember:

• If you make a claim while travelling: Remember to have your travel insurance policy number and emergency contact in hand. Also, make sure to keep all receipts and paperwork in hand so the claim is easily dealt with. 
• If your belongings are stolen: Report to the local police within 24 hours of them going missing. If you’re unable to contact the police, let your tour guide or hotel manager know, and get a written statement. This includes clothing which you have to replace; make sure to keep all the receipts. 
• If you make a claim after getting home: Check that you’re within the time limits of making a claim, how much you’re covered for versus how much you’re claiming and how much the excess is. Once you’ve got all the information, contact your insurer and ask them to send you a claim form. 
• If you make a medical claim: If you need medical treatment during your holiday, contact your insurer and get them to agree to any treatment in advance. If it’s a medical emergency and that’s not possible, call your insurer’s helpline as soon as you can. You may have to pay any medical expenses upfront, up to a certain amount. If you do, keep all the receipts so you can claim back the costs on your insurance.