Travel Insurance Essentials

Why Travel Insurance Matters

Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you'll never need—but when you do, it's invaluable. Medical treatment abroad can cost tens of thousands of pounds. A cancelled trip can mean losing your entire holiday investment. Lost luggage can leave you stranded without essentials.

Consider these real scenarios:

• Medical emergency in the USA: A broken leg requiring surgery could cost £50,000+ without insurance
• Trip cancellation: A family illness before departure could mean losing thousands in non-refundable bookings
• Lost luggage: Airlines' liability is limited—often just £1,000 for delayed or lost bags
• Emergency repatriation: An air ambulance home could cost £20,000+

What Travel Insurance Covers

A comprehensive travel insurance policy typically includes several key areas of cover:

Medical Expenses

This is the most important element. It covers emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and emergency dental work abroad. Look for at least £2 million cover for Europe and £5 million for worldwide trips, especially to the USA where healthcare costs are highest.

Repatriation

Covers the cost of bringing you home if you're too ill to travel normally, or in the worst case, repatriation of remains. This can include air ambulances and medical escorts.

Trip Cancellation and Curtailment

Reimburses your pre-paid, non-refundable costs if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered reasons such as illness, injury, bereavement, or jury service.

Baggage and Personal Belongings

Covers loss, theft, or damage to your luggage and personal items. Be aware of single-item limits (often £200-£300) and overall limits. Valuable items may need to be specified.

Travel Delay

Provides compensation if your departure is delayed beyond a certain time (usually 12 hours), covering meals, accommodation, and sometimes allowing you to abandon the trip.

Personal Liability

Protects you if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while abroad. Typically provides £1-2 million of cover.

Legal Expenses

Covers legal costs if you need to pursue a claim for compensation following an accident abroad.

Types of Travel Insurance

Single Trip

Covers one specific trip from departure to return. Ideal if you only travel once or twice a year, or for longer trips that might exceed annual policy limits.

Annual Multi-Trip

Covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period, usually with a maximum trip duration (commonly 31 days, but can be extended). appropriate if you travel three or more times a year.

Backpacker/Long-Stay

Designed for extended trips, gap years, or working holidays. Covers trips of several months to a year or more.

Business Travel

Includes additional cover for business equipment, samples, and trip interruption due to work commitments.

• Single trip: Best for one-off holidays
• Annual multi-trip: Best for frequent travellers
• Check maximum trip duration on annual policies
• Consider business cover if travelling for work
• Long-stay policies for extended trips

GHIC and EHIC Explained

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK residents after Brexit. It's free and entitles you to state-provided healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as local residents.

What the GHIC Covers

• State-provided medical treatment in EU countries
• Treatment for pre-existing conditions
• Routine maternity care
• Treatment for chronic conditions

What the GHIC Doesn't Cover

• Private medical treatment
• Repatriation to the UK
• Lost or stolen belongings
• Trip cancellation or curtailment
• Travel outside the EU
• Mountain rescue or air ambulance in some countries

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must declare it when buying travel insurance. Failure to disclose can void your entire policy—not just claims related to that condition.

What Counts as Pre-Existing?

Generally, any condition for which you've received treatment, medication, or medical advice in the past few years. This includes:

• Ongoing conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease
• Previous conditions that have been treated
• Conditions you're being monitored for
• Mental health conditions
• Conditions awaiting diagnosis or treatment

Getting Cover

Many insurers offer cover for pre-existing conditions, either as standard or with medical screening. You may need to pay an additional premium. Specialist insurers cater to those with more complex medical histories.

As a broker, we can help find policies that cover your specific conditions at suitable rates.

Common Exclusions to Watch

All travel insurance policies have exclusions. Understanding these helps avoid unpleasant surprises:

Activities and Sports

Standard policies often exclude hazardous activities. Skiing, scuba diving, jet-skiing, and extreme sports typically need additional cover. Always check and declare your planned activities.

Alcohol and Drugs

Claims arising from excessive alcohol consumption or drug use are typically excluded. This can include accidents that occur while intoxicated.

Travelling Against Medical Advice

If your doctor advises against travel and you go anyway, claims may be rejected.

FCDO Advice

Most policies exclude travel to countries or regions where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel.

Unattended Belongings

Leaving bags unattended, even briefly, typically voids theft claims. Items left visible in vehicles are often excluded.

Valuables in Hold Luggage

Expensive items like electronics, jewellery, and cameras should be carried in hand luggage. Theft from checked bags may not be covered.

Choosing the Right Policy

When comparing travel insurance, consider these factors:

Cover Levels

Don't just look at the price. Check the actual cover amounts for medical expenses, cancellation, and baggage. Basic policies often have low limits.

Excess

The excess is what you pay towards each claim. Lower excesses mean higher premiums, but may be worthwhile for peace of mind.

Destination

Ensure your policy covers your destination. 'Worldwide' policies may exclude certain countries. USA/Canada cover is often a separate, more expensive tier.

Activities

If you're planning adventure activities, check they're covered. Add them if necessary— it provides better value than an uninsured accident.

Claims Reputation

Research the insurer's claims handling. A policy is only as good as its claims service when you need it.

• Check medical cover is adequate (£2m+ Europe, £5m+ worldwide)
• Verify cancellation cover matches your trip cost
• Declare all pre-existing conditions
• Confirm all planned activities are covered
• Read the policy wording, especially exclusions
• Keep policy documents accessible while travelling

Making a Claim

If something goes wrong, follow these steps to support your claim:

Medical Emergencies

• Contact the emergency assistance number on your policy immediately
• They can arrange treatment, guarantee payment, and coordinate care
• Keep all receipts and medical documentation

Theft or Loss

• Report to local police within 24 hours and get a written report
• Report to your airline if luggage is lost or damaged
• Keep receipts for emergency purchases
• Take photos of damaged items

Cancellation

• Contact your insurer as soon as you know you need to cancel
• Obtain medical certificates if cancelling due to illness
• Keep all booking confirmations and cancellation correspondence

As your broker, we can assist with the claims process, helping you gather documentation and liaising with insurers on your behalf.

Contact us to discuss your travel insurance needs. Whether it's a weekend city break or a round-the-world adventure, we'll help you find the right cover.