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Do I need travel insurance?

Whether or not you need travel insurance depends on several factors, including your personal circumstances, the nature of your trip, and your risk tolerance. Consider where you’re travelling and the type of trip you’re embarking on. For example, if you’re heading to a remote or adventurous destination, participating in high-risk activities, or planning an expensive holiday, travel insurance might be essential. It’s also important to think about the level of health coverage you’d need, as well as the potential risks of trip cancellations, interruptions, or issues like lost or delayed baggage.

In the event of a medical emergency or a natural disaster, travel insurance can cover emergency medical evacuation and repatriation to your home country. It can also protect you if your travel provider, such as an airline or tour operator, goes bankrupt, covering the cost of rescheduling flights or accommodation. Some policies include personal liability coverage, which can be useful if you accidentally injure someone or damage property while travelling. If you plan to rent a car, travel insurance with rental car coverage could be beneficial.

Ultimately, many travellers choose travel insurance for peace of mind and to minimise financial risks. Weighing the cost versus the potential benefit can help you decide whether it’s worth it for your trip.

Types of travel insurance

Single trip travel insurance

Provides coverage for one specific trip or holiday. You can choose the duration of cover, although some insurers may have limits on how long the policy can last.

Multi-trip insurance

If you frequently travel throughout the year, annual multi-trip insurance may be a cost-effective option. This policy typically covers multiple trips within a 12-month period, with each trip lasting up to 28 days.

Backpacker insurance

Ideal for extended trips, often spanning multiple countries. It typically caters to individuals, couples, families, or groups embarking on longer journeys.

Group travel insurance

Covers multiple people under a single policy. This is often a more affordable and convenient option for families, friends, or organised groups travelling together.

European travel insurance

Typically more affordable than worldwide coverage and includes destinations within continental Europe. Some nearby countries, such as Turkey or Tunisia, may also be included under European travel insurance, depending on the provider.

Worldwide travel insurance

For destinations beyond Europe. It often comes in two variations: Worldwide cover including the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean or Worldwide cover excluding the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean.

What does travel insurance usually cover?

Travel insurance typically provides protection against a variety of unexpected events and expenses that may arise before or during your trip. This includes medical expenses, lost baggage, emergency repatriation, cancellation cover, travel disruption and legal protection.

Typically travel insurance doesn’t cover missed flights, car hire, pre-existing medical conditions, adventure/extreme sports, drug and alcohol related incidents, travel against official advice and if you want to cancel your trip because you’ve changed your mind. 

What affects the price of travel insurance?

The cost of travel insurance varies depending on several factors. Insurers consider details such as the age of the traveller, trip duration, and destination. Coverage type, limits, and optional add-ons like adventure sports or rental car protection can also impact the premium. Pre-existing medical conditions, deductibles/excess amounts, and the number of travellers covered all play a role in determining costs.

Other considerations include claim history, whether you choose a group policy, and when you purchase the insurance. For frequent travellers, annual multi-trip policies may offer better value than individual trip insurance.

Your optional extras

Travel insurance providers often offer optional extras, also known as add-ons or endorsements, which allow you to customise your policy to better suit your specific travel needs. These include:

Trip disruption cover
Trip extension
Missed departure
Cruise cover
Winter sports coverage
Travel gadget insurance
Excess waiver

How to get the best deal on travel insurance

To secure the best deal to suit your needs, assess your travel requirements and book your insurance as soon as your trip is confirmed. Compare policies carefully, noting coverage limits, exclusions, and any optional add-ons. If you’re travelling in a group, ask about discounts, as insurers often offer group rates.

If you’re a frequent traveller, an annual multi-trip policy may save you money. Opting for a higher deductible can also lower your premiums. Keep in mind that some policies may exclude pre-existing medical conditions or have age restrictions. Lastly, choose flexible policies that allow adjustments if your plans change, and always review exclusions to avoid surprises.

FAQ

Need more help?

A pre-existing medical condition is a health condition that you have before purchasing a travel insurance policy. Many insurers require you to declare pre-existing conditions when applying for coverage. Some policies may exclude coverage related to pre-existing conditions, while others may offer coverage with additional premiums or medical assessments.
It’s typically more challenging to purchase travel insurance once you’ve already begun your trip. Most policies require you to purchase coverage before you depart from your home country. However, some insurers may offer limited options for coverage while abroad.
Most travel insurance policies allow you to cancel within a specific time frame after purchase, typically within a “cooling-off period.” During this period, you may be eligible for a full refund if you haven’t yet travelled or made a claim. Be sure to review your policy’s cancellation terms.
If you need to make a claim, contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will guide you through the claims process, which may involve providing documentation, receipts, and evidence of the event or expenses for which you’re claiming.
Many travel insurance policies are designed for round-trip journeys with specific departure and return dates. However, some insurers offer policies for one-way trips or extended travel plans. Be sure to inquire about these options when searching for coverage.

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