What Coverage Do I Need? Your Guide to Travel Insurance

What happens if you fall ill abroad? It’s something no one wants to think about – but travel insurance can give you peace of mind if the worst happens. We’ve put together a guide to travel insurance, including tips to save money on your coverage.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance provides financial protection if something goes wrong on your holiday. As well as peace of mind, travel insurance also means any costs don’t come out of your pocket.

Each insurance provider will offer slightly different coverage, but they’ll typically cover things like:

• Medical treatment
• Personal belongings – for example, if your bags go missing
• Cancellations
• Personal liability – for example, if you damage someone else’s property abroad

When to buy travel insurance

You should book travel insurance as soon as you pay for your holiday to receive cover if anything gets cancelled before your departure date. There’s no difference in price – so book it as soon as you can.

There are lots of different types of insurance for travellers. Let’s look at a few common options.

Single-trip cover

Single-trip cover is best if you’re just taking one trip in the next 12 months. It typically covers a set amount of days abroad, and you’ll need to decide whether you need European or worldwide coverage.

Annual multi-trip cover

This is a great option for us, as we tend to go on more than one trip abroad each year – and many multi-trip policies cover an unlimited amount of trips in 12 months.

An annual policy is typically more cost-effective if you’re going on holiday more than once. So, if you’re off to Cyprus and New York this year, you won’t necessarily need two separate insurance policies.

Worldwide travel insurance

Worldwide insurance covers trips outside Europe. Your medical costs may be more expensive once you leave Europe, so make sure to get a worldwide policy if you’re travelling further afield. Some worldwide policies exclude the USA, Canada and the Caribbean, so make sure to double-check that your policy includes your destination before you book it.

Getting a GHIC

If you’re travelling within the EU or Switzerland as a UK citizen, you can still access healthcare using a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), but this isn’t a replacement for travel insurance. You may have used a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in the past, but now that the UK has left the EU, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC instead.

Most UK citizens can apply on the NHS website. You may also be able to use your EHIC if it’s not yet expired or if you meet certain criteria.

Travel insurance exclusions

If you have a pre-existing health condition, your insurance might not cover your healthcare costs abroad, so make sure to check with your provider before booking a policy.

Other exclusions may include:

• Bad weather
• Planned medical procedures abroad – insurance is for emergencies only
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Adventure sports – you’ll need insurance that covers these activities

Tips to save money on travel insurance

There are a few ways to save money on your travel insurance.

• Browse around – Shop around for the best cover and the most affordable price.

• Get a credit card with travel insurance – Some cards offer travel insurance as a benefit. Always make sure to pay for your holiday with your credit card to get Section 75 protection!

• Choose group insurance – This means each person doesn’t have to buy their own policy.

• Only pay for what you need – If you’re going to Las Vegas, you’re going to need worldwide coverage. But if you’re going to Paris, you may only need the bare minimum.

Travel insurance: FAQs

Does the NHS cover you abroad?

The NHS doesn’t cover you abroad. Get a GHIC to access essential healthcare within the EU or Switzerland. If you’re heading further afield, make sure your insurance covers your medical needs in your destination country.

Can you fly without travel insurance?

You’ll be able to fly without travel insurance, but it’s a big risk. Buying travel insurance – even just a basic policy – can cover costs for healthcare or lost belongings, and you can often get a refund for cancelled flights.

What counts as a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?

If you’ve had symptoms, treatment, medication or surgery for a condition over the past two years, this is typically considered a pre-existing condition. You’ll need to check with your insurance provider for their parameters.

Tell me your travel insurance tips and tricks in the comments!

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