Why Travel Insurance Matters More Than You Think?
Whether it’s a beach holiday, city break or the adventure of a lifetime, we all set off hoping everything will go exactly to plan. But even the most organised travel plans can go wrong and that’s where travel insurance proves its worth.
When you’ve spent your hard-earned money booking flights, accommodation and experiences, it makes sense to protect your trip from the unexpected. After all, whilst we can’t prevent mishaps, we can certainly prepare for them.
One of the most important reasons for having travel insurance is medical cover. Healthcare abroad can be incredibly expensive, particularly outside of Europe. Even in EU countries, where you may have access to some state-provided healthcare, the costs can mount quickly if you need private treatment or an emergency flight back home. To give you an idea, a broken leg is Spain could cost you around £15,000 while a hospital stay and repatriation from the USA might reach a staggering £100,000.
But medical emergencies aren’t the only risk. Travel insurance can also step in when things like lost baggage, delayed flights or last-minute cancellations throw your plans off course. It offers peace of mind, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip, rather than worrying about what might go wrong.
For those with pre-existing conditions
If you have a medical condition, arranging travel insurance may take a little extra care. You might find your premium may increase but remember, honesty is the always the best policy. Omitting information or giving false details could invalidate your policy meaning your claim could be rejected when you need it most. It’s always worth taking the time to make sure your insurer understands your circumstances fully and ALL medical conditions have been disclosed.
Choosing the right travel insurance
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to travel cover. The policy you need depends on a range of factors like where you’re going, how long you’ll be away, your age and whether you have any medical conditions. your travel style matters too: Are you sunbathing or skydiving? Travelling solo or as a group? Taking one trip or planning several?
Think about what kind of cover you may need, not just for medical expenses but for lost luggage, cancellation costs or even that expensive camera you’ve packed. For adventure holidays or trips involving sports, you may need additional protection to cover high-risk activities or specialist gear.
How much cover do you need?
That depends on your personal situation and travel plans. If you’re heading to a country where medical care is expensive, such as the USA, you may want to opt for an increased limit of indemnity. Repatriation costs can be eye-watering, so it’s important not to cut back here.
Then consider the value of your baggage and belongings. If your suitcase goes missing, could you afford to replace everything? From clothing and toiletries or even prescription medication, make sure your policy offers enough cover to replace the essentials, especially if you’re travelling with high value items.
Cancellation cover is another key area to think about. If you’ve pre-paid for flights, hotel or excursions, make sure your policy covers the full cost in case an unexpected illness, family emergency or other covered event forces you to call it off.
And you don’t forget any extras. If you’re packing skis or planning to scuba dive, check whether your chosen activities are included. If not, you may need to add additional cover.
Different types of travel insurance
Thankfully, there are plenty of options to suit all kinds of travellers. Single-trip insurance is ideal if you’re heading away once a year, while annual (or multi-trip) policies can offer better value for frequent flyers.
There are also specialist policies for families, couples, over-65s, backpackers, and even business travellers carrying valuable work equipment. Group policies can make life simpler if you’re travelling with friends or extended family.
Does it cover my belongings?
Most standard travel insurance policies include cover with specificied limits for your personal belongings, such as luggage, gadgets and travel documents. That said, there are important rules. You’d need to keep your belongings secure and attended so you couldn’t leave your bag by the pool whilst you nipped to the bar for example.
If something is stolen, make sure you report it to the police as soon as possible. Many insurers require you to do this within 24 hours for the claim to be valid.
Policies also tend to have limits on how much they’ll pay out both in total and per item. So if you’re bringing along high value items, it’s worth checking those limits carefully when getting a quote. You might need to increase your cover or name specific items to get the protection you need.
What else is covered?
Besides medical emergencies and personal possessions, many policies can include cover for things like:
- Cancelling a pre-booked holiday due to an emergency, such as a family bereavement or jury service.
- Missed or delayed flights, often with 24/ assistance available to help you rearrange plans.
- Personal liability, in case you accidentally cause injury or damage while abroad.
However, be aware that insurers will only cover cancellations and delays for specific reasons outlined in your policy. If your airline offers compensation for a delay, your insurer may only top up the difference if anything at all. It’s always worth reading the small print so you know where you stand.
What's not usually covered?
Travel insurance won’t cover every scenario and knowing the exclusions can help avoid disappointment later. For example, if you’re travelling to a country against FCDO advice, your policy may be invalid. Similarly, claims resulting from alcohol or drug-related incidents are likely to be rejected.
You’ll also need to declare any existing medical conditions. If you don’t, and something happens related to that condition, your insurer may refuse to pay out. Events like natural disasters or terrorism are often excluded too, though some policies may offer this as an optional extra.
Planning something adventurous?
Whether it’s skiing in the Alps or scuba diving in Thailand, you may need to extend your policy or buy specialist cover for certain sports. Activities covered can vary widely between insurers, and some exclusions can be surprising so double check the details if you’re planning anything energetic.
This is especially important for winter and water sports, which are often only included if you’ve opted in for that cover. Better to check before you travel than find out too late.
Final thoughts
Travel insurance might not be the most exciting part of planning a holiday, but it is important. It protects you, your health, your belongings and your bank account from life’s unexpected surprises.
Give us a ring if you need to discuss your travel plans. we’ll help you find the right cover so you can travel with confidence and finally, as quoted by the money mogul Martin Lewis…Get travel insurance ASAB – AS SOON AS YOU BOOK!