Travel Insurance

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on your required level of cover, travel itinerary and overall budget. When people talk about the best travel insurance, they are typically referring to cheap travel insurance that ticks off all their coverage needs at the cheapest possible price. To find the best travel insurance quote for you, compare travel insurance from multiple providers to increase your chance of finding the best cover.

Yes, pregnancy is not considered to be a pre-existing condition by most insurers so you should by covered for travel by most standard travel policies. Costs incured for births overseas will typically not be covered under your travel insurance however. It may also be a bit more difficult to find suitable insurance if you are travelling close to your due date. It is generally not recommended to travel overseas close to your due date.

It’s good practice to tell your travel insurance provider of any past or present medical conditions when taking out a policy. Medical conditions are not standard colds and flus but rather conditions officially diagnosed by your GP such as diabetes, cancer, heart conditions and epilepsy either recently or in the past. Usually your travel insurance provider will have a full list conditions that will be required to be disclosed should you have any of them. Confirm with your policy provider any medical conditions you may have and if these need to be disclosed.

While many insurers may not offer travel insurance coverage to those with a pre-existing cancer, there are specialist insurers who will cover customers with the condition. While the cost of travel insurance for cancer patients will be higher than travel insurance without pre-existing medical conditions, it is still possible to get. The exact cost of travel insurance for cancer patients will depend on their cancer type, date of diagnosis, and treatment plan. You likely will not be covered for medical expenses and cancellations related directly to the cancer. Confirm the level of cover on offer directly with your insurer.

Travel insurance for over 70s is generally considered to be higher risk for injuries and medical claims. This is reflected in the cost of travel for over 70s generally being more expensive. When it comes to the best travel insurance for over 70s, the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily always the best. Be sure that your travel insurance quote covers you for all your needs including medical, repatriation, lost baggage and cover for an medical and mobility equipment.

As a general rule it is recommended that you book your travel insurance right after you book your holiday. Many people choose a policy start date that covers them from the day they start to travel. This may not be the best option as by starting your travel insurance cover as soon as you book your trip, you can insure yourself against possible risks that might prevent you going. Be sure to leave enough time between your policy end date and your arrival home from the airport so you are covered for your whole trip.

Whilst travel insurance is not a legal requirement it is still strongly recommended. Being caught by an unexpected event overseas such as lost baggage, emergency medical treatment and cancelled flights can all lead to expensive additional costs for your holiday. By covering yourself with travel insurance you can claim back on expenses related to, damage, theft, travel disruption and medical treatment so you aren’t left out of pocket when you come home.

When making a claim it is important to contact your insurer as soon as possible after the event. Keep your insurers details handy before you travel in case you do need to make a claim. Get any evidence relating to your expenses and event so your claim can run smoothly. Depending on the incident and expenses you are needing claim for, you may be required to collect additional information such as police reports, receipts and bank statements. Confirm with your insurer any exclusions that could void your claim.

Travel insurance excess is the amount you must pay to your insurer for them to start processing your claim. There are two types of excess in travel insurance, voluntary and compulsory. Compulsory excess is the amount you must pay for your insurer to begin processing your claim. Voluntary excess is an amount that you can volunteer to pay in addition to compulsory excess. Policyholders may wish to increase the amount of excess they pay through a voluntary excess amount so that they can receive cheaper premiums.

Yes, a Global Health Insurance Card or European Health Insurance Card simply allows you to receive public health services in some European countries. You’ll still need travel insurance for other risks such as emergency repatriation, stolen or lost luggage and travel disruptions.

Depending on your specific policy, you can expect to be covered for the majority of countries in continental Europe by most standard travel insurance policies. Some neighbouring countries outside of continental Europe may also be covered.

See our European Travel Insurance guide.