If someone is emigrating - or planning an extended trip with no planned return date - one-way travel insurance could be a good option. Let's take a look.
What is one-way travel insurance?
Generally speaking, travel insurance policies tend to cover you for return trips. You might have a policy which covers a single trip, an annual travel insurance policy which can cover several trips, or policies such as backpacker travel insurance which cover extended journeys. But in all cases you go, and come back again.
But with one-way insurance, you don't have a return date. Most standard travel insurance policies usually require this, so you may need to go to a specialist travel insurance provider for one-way cover.
When might someone need one-way travel insurance?
Typically there are two types of situation where you might need one-way cover. You may be moving abroad indefinitely, so need travel insurance for emigrating.
Or you may need one-way travel insurance simply because you don't know when you'll be coming back. If you're planning an extended trip and want the flexibility of an open-ended policy, this might be more up your street.
While policies such as backpacker travel insurance offer longer cover, this tends to be up to 18 months. With a one-way policy, you're not tied to any return date. You may need to specify a date for cover to end (with the option to extend), but you won't need a return ticket.
How can I buy one-way travel insurance?
We don't compare one-way travel insurance, so you can't buy this type of policy through Confused.com. You should be able to find cover from specialist one-way travel insurance providers though.
It's a good idea to shop around and compare several policies, as cover is likely to vary. Make sure the policy you're considering covers your exact circumstances before you commit to buy.
What does one-way travel insurance cover?
The type of cover you can expect from one-way travel insurance is likely to vary from insurer to insurer. It's also likely to be different depending on whether you're emigrating or not.
If you're emigrating
Travel insurance isn't a legal requirement if you're emigrating. But things can still go wrong with your transport plans, so it could give you peace of mind.
Generally speaking, you should still be covered for things like:
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Baggage cover and personal belongings cover
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Emergency medical treatment
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Repatriation cover (normally to your intended destination, unless exceptional circumstances mean you need to be returned to the UK)
It's worth noting that you can generally only cover your outbound journey, and the first 24-48 hours after arriving at your destination. At this time, you should look into organising healthcare in your destination country - such as private health insurance.
Speak to your insurance provider about the specifics of your journey, but you should be able to get cover if you plan to make stop-offs en route. But cover will usually end shortly after you reach your final destination.
If you're not emigrating
If you intend to return home at some point, but are looking for open-ended insurance, this should also cover you for many of the things standard travel insurance offers. But there may be some significant differences, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the policy.
You can usually be covered for things like:
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Emergency medical treatment
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Repatriation
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Cancellation
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Travel disruption
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Baggage cover and personal belongings cover
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Personal liability
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Legal expenses
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Personal money (to a limit)
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Optional add-on adventure travel insurance for activities like, winter sports, extreme sports, or water sports
Be aware that not having a return ticket can affect what you can potentially claim for. For example, if a close friend or family member falls ill or dies while you're away, you may not be able to claim for curtailment if you need to come home. This is because, from an insurance point of view, your trip can't be 'cut short' if you don't have a return date.
For this reason, you should familiarise yourself with a policy and know exactly what you're covered for before you commit.
What isn't covered by one-way travel insurance?
There are certain things which are excluded from most travel insurance policies, and one-way cover is no different. You're unlikely to be covered for:
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Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
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Malicious, reckless or illegal behaviour
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Incidents that occur under the influence of drugs or alcohol
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Changing your mind and deciding you no longer want to travel
In addition, more risky activities such as adventure sports aren't usually covered as standard. But you can often add certain extras to your policy for a fee.
When does one-way travel cover start and end?
One-way travel insurance starts on your policy inception date. This may be the day you buy cover, although you can also usually set the start date in the near future.
When your policy ends depends on if you intend to return:
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If you're emigrating: Policies typically end within 24-48 hours of arriving at your final destination.
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If you're not emigrating: You may not be bound by a return ticket, but you usually need to set a policy end date - for example, up to 24 months from the start date.
Do I need one-way travel insurance?
Travel insurance isn't a legal requirement, but it's always worth considering.
Remember, if you're going on an open-ended long trip for a long time, there's more chance of things going wrong. So you're probably more likely to make a claim.
Do I need one-way travel insurance when emigrating?
Even if you're emigrating, it's not a bad idea to cover yourself for the outbound trip. This will protect you financially if:
- Your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen
- You're travelling long-haul, and travel disruption could affect your connecting flights or accommodation
- You need emergency medical treatment
Are there any alternatives to one-way travel insurance?
If you're planning an open-ended trip, there are some alternatives worth considering. They could even work out cheaper, so make sure you compare a range of policies and do your sums. And you might be able to extend your cover too.
Long-stay travel insurance
Long-stay travel insurance usually covers you for up to 18 months. You may even be able to get cover for 2 years with some specialist policies.
If you do intend to return to the UK ultimately, this is certainly worth looking into.
Backpackers travel insurance
With backpacker travel insurance - otherwise known as gap year travel insurance - you can get policies which last up to 18 months. This can cover you for trips to multiple countries. Some policies might also allow you to return home for a short period during your trip.
Can I get one-way travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?
When you're applying for travel insurance, it's really important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. You could still be accepted for a policy, but you might have a more limited choice of insurers. Plus the policy is likely to cost more - especially if the condition is more serious.
Failing to declare conditions means that, if you fall ill abroad, your treatment won't be covered. This could lead to eye-watering medical bills.
If you're having trouble getting cover for your condition, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurers who may be able to help. If you'd rather speak to them, you can call 0800 138 7777 for free, impartial advice.
Things to consider when buying one-way travel insurance
Depending on the nature of your trip, there are a few things worth considering before you buy a one-way travel insurance policy.
If you're making several stops
If you're making a few stops before your final destination, it's important to make sure that you have the appropriate cover.
For example, let's say you're emigrating to Australia, but you have a stopover in the USA. This may be more costly than if you just needed cover for your journey to Australia, because healthcare can be very expensive in the USA - but it's important to get the right cover for your trip.
Also be aware that some policies will cover stopovers as standard, but each stopover might be limited to a set time - for example, 48 hours. If you're planning to spend longer than this in a destination en route, be sure to arrange the appropriate cover with your provider.
If you're going on an extended trip
If you're going on an extended trip - not emigrating - you might need to tell your home insurance provider. Most home insurance policies only cover your property if it's vacant for a period of 1 month or less.
If you're leaving your home empty for longer than a month, you may need to take out an unoccupied home insurance policy.
When should I buy one-way travel insurance?
It's usually a good idea to start your policy as soon as you have your outbound ticket. This way, you'll be covered for things in the lead-up to your trip. For example, you'll be protected financially if you need to cancel due to illness or injury.
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