Buying travel insurance

DON'T risk travelling without insurance, it could cost you a lot more in the long run.

You can buy policies from many companies and compare deals online.

Points to keep in mind:

Arrange travel insurance as soon as you arrange your trip. This will ensure that you are covered for cancellation or missed flights.

Always shop around for your travel insurance. Buying travel insurance direct from a online provider is usually better value than going to a travel agent or financial institution.

Questions to ask before taking out a policy

Does the insurance company have a Claims Charter?

Check the policy excess levels.

Make sure you are covered for medical expenses, personal accident, personal liability, cancellation and curtailment of the trip, money, documents and baggage. Other areas of cover usually include delay, missed departure, loss of passport, legal expenses and assistance services.

The E111 form has been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card. This is free and can be applied for online or over a Post Office counter. It is designed to provide free or low cost medical treatment in Europe and only covers emergency treatment. The full cost of treatment is unlikely to be covered and travellers often have to pay a large percentage of the medical bill. To apply you will require your name, date of birth and your NHS or national insurance (NI) number. You can also apply over the phone 0845 606 2030. When your application is completed, your card will be delivered within 10 days.

Check the levels of cover and make sure they suit your circumstances. Don't pay excessive premiums for cover you don't need

Decclare pre-existing medical conditions and any activities/sports you may be undertaking. Failure to do so could mean that you are not covered if something goes wrong. This is important for any holiday you may be going on, e.g. winter sports/summer holiday.

Make sure your policy covers the full length of your trip.

Is cancellation cover enough to cover the cost of your trip?

Check that any expensive items you are taking on holiday (e.g. laptop, mp3 player, cameras, video) are covered either by your travel insurance or home contents insurance

If going on a winter sports holiday, check that the policy covers off-piste skiing, snowboarding, ski pack and ski equipment.

It may work out cheaper to buy annual Travel Insurance ig you go on more than one trip a year.

If you are buying an annual policy, is the maximum trip duration enough for your needs?

Read the small print. Under the ABI code of practice you are entitled to full refund within 14 days of purchase if the terms and conditions do not suit your requirements.

Check on the excess

Find out what the single article limit is

Does an annual policy cover individual trips beyond 31 days

Can you work abroad and be covered by your policy?

Can children travel on their own?

For what age does the child rate apply?

If you are sailing while on holiday are you covered?

Are you covered if you travel by motor cycle?

Will you have to pay for medical bill whilst abroad?

Is there a cooling off period?

Are people aged 65 or over covered. You maybe able to get specialist cover from another provider (see list of companies to the right)?

Are lengths of stay limited on annual policies?

Is off-piste ski-ing covered?

Is UK travel covered?

Do annual policies cover travel to the USA?

Can grandchildren be included?

Can you upgrade from Europe to WorldWide at a later date?

Can you pay an excess waiver premium?

Is car hire covered in the USA?

Find out what the liability cover is for hire cars in the USA

Can you get a discount if you have all risks home insurance cover?

Is scuba diving covered?

Is insurance premium tax included?

Find out what equipment is covered on winter sports trips

Is there a help line you can contact whilst abroad?

Is pregnancy covered?

Are one-way trips covered?

Are belongings covered in a car?

Who do you report claims to?

Will you be able to increase your cancellation cover once you have taken out a policy?

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Reviews

Direct Travel Insurance (Rated 10/10)
My wife recently broke her leg on a skiing holiday in Austria. Having never claimed before I didn't ...