Planning a holiday is exciting! But, unexpected things can happen along the way. That's where travel insurance comes in. It can cover you for things like medical emergencies and lost luggage.
But, not every policy offers cover against every situation—and that can be confusing. Don't worry, though, we're here to help. We explain what you can expect your policy to offer, and how it can be tailored to suit your needs. Read on!
What's covered by a standard travel insurance policy?
Standard travel insurance is there to protect you from problems that might happen while you're abroad.
It's important to make sure you get your policy as soon as you book your trip. That way, you can make sure you're covered right from the start.
Let's take a look at the main things standard travel insurance usually covers:
Cancellation cover
This is if something unexpected happens and you need to cancel your trip before it begins. For example, if you fall ill and can't travel. In this situation, cancellation cover can be there to help you.
Under this section of your policy, you should be able to claim back the costs of expenses you've already paid for. So, things like accommodation or transport.
But, keep in mind— the amount of cancellation cover can vary from insurer to insurer. So, read your policy to know the exact amount of protection you can get.
Disrupted travel and delays
Sometimes, things don't always go as planned when you're travelling. Luckily, travel insurance can help with unexpected disruptions and delays.
Let's take a look at a few situations you could be covered in:
- Missed connections. If you miss a connecting flight because of airline delays or something similar
- Adverse weather. If bad weather stops you from travelling, like a snowstorm
- Illness or injury. If you or someone you're travelling with falls ill or gets injured
- Strikes or industrial action. If you experience public travel delays because of strikes or other kinds of industrial actions.
But, there’s usually a limit on how much your policy can offer for these types of situations. So, it’s worth reading your terms and conditions to know exactly what cover you have.
Medical treatment and repatriation
Most travel policies include medical cover as standard. This usually consists of the following:
- Emergency medical treatment. If you need to receive emergency medical care, standard insurance can cover the cost of expensive medical bills.
- Repatriation. This is if you need to be returned home to the UK for treatment. Without cover for repatriation in place, this could end up costing you a lot of money.
If you're going somewhere in Europe - bring your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This can give you access to state-level healthcare. So, it can be used alongside your travel insurance to ensure you're able to access medical care.
Just remember, the level of cover offered can be different for every insurer. So, double check how much medical cover your policy offers before making a purchase.
Head's up: If you're travelling within the UK, you're already covered by the NHS for medical emergencies. So, you won't need insurance for that.
Lost, stolen or missing luggage
This can cover lost, damaged or stolen baggage. In some cases, insurers can also include personal possessions, too.
It's important to know that there's usually a limit on how much baggage cover is offered. Most insurers provide a fixed amount for overall baggage protection. But, others may set different limits for individual items or pieces of luggage. Check your policy to understand the exact level of baggage protection your insurer offers.
What does travel insurance not cover?
There’s a few things that standard travel insurance typically won't cover. So, it's good to be aware of them before you travel.
- Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions. If you don’t declare any conditions you have, your insurer might not cover you if you need treatment. Always make sure to be upfront about any medical conditions to avoid surprises later on
- Travelling against FCDO advice. If the government advises against travel but you go anyway, you won’t be covered. It's always worth checking their travel advice before travelling
- Risky activities. Standard policies often exclude certain sports and activities insurers consider to be risky. For example, scuba-diving past a certain depth. So, if you plan to take part in more adventurous activities, you might need to look into activity travel insurance
- Natural disasters. If a natural disaster occurs while away, some travel insurers don’t offer cover. You’ll need to read your policy details to know what protection you’ll be offered in these situations.
What if I need additional cover?
You can easily customise your travel insurance with policy add-ons. They'll be able to cover things that might not be included in a standard policy. How great is that?
Just keep in mind that these add-ons do come with an extra fee. But, they could be well worth it depending on your plans.
Here's some popular options you might like to consider:
- Winter sports travel insurance: If you plan to ski or snowboard, this is an add-on worth considering. It can offer tailored cover for snow-related activities. For example, if you get injured and need mountain rescue. Better safe than sorry!
- Activity travel insurance: If your trip includes riskier activities like hiking or paragliding, this add-on is worth thinking about. Once added to your policy, it can offer enhanced protection for all of your thrill-seeking adventures
- Business travel insurance: If you travel a lot for work reasons, business travel insurance is a smart option to think about. It can offer enhanced cover for work-related mishaps. For example, stolen work equipment
- Cruise travel insurance: Cruises are a little different to regular holidays. So, if you’re planning to go on one, this insurance is worth exploring. It’s designed to cover the unique issues you can face at sea, like missed ports due to bad weather.
Travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions
It's really important to let your insurer know about any pre-existing medical conditions you or anyone else on your policy has. This ensures that you're fully covered while away.
Pre-existing conditions can range from common issues to more serious health concerns. Here's some examples:
- High blood pressure
- Strokes
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart conditions
If you or anyone else on your policy has a pre-existing condition, it might increase the cost of your insurance. But, declaring pre-existing conditions is key to making sure you're protected. If your insurer isn't aware, any related claims could be denied. That means you could be left with hefty medical bills to cover out of pocket!
Sometimes, insurers might be unable to offer cover for more serious health conditions. In this case, you might need to look elsewhere to get the cover you need. MoneyHelper has a directory of travel insurance providers who might be able to help you.
They're also just a phone call away at 0800 138 7777.
Helpful hint: If you take out travel insurance through us, we’ll only show you quotes from providers happy to cover them.
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