What does Travel Insurance cover?
11th July 2023
Your flights are booked, the accommodation looks amazing, and you’ve stocked up on the factor 30. The only thing left to consider is your Travel Insurance. But with so many options, how do you know whether you are getting a good deal, and that what you are paying for is going to cover what you need it to, in the event of an incident?
First things first. Is Travel Insurance really necessary?
Whether you are going to be travelling in the UK or abroad, unfortunately things can go wrong when you are on holiday, whether that be delays with flights, lost luggage, or even a medical emergency.
Although it isn’t a legal obligation to purchase travel insurance before your trip, it is an important consideration, which is why so many holiday providers now offer travel insurance as part of the booking process. And for some destinations, you would be refused entry if you didn’t have travel insurance already arranged.
Did you know that one of the main reasons that people claim on their travel insurance is due to needing medical treatment whilst away? And depending on where you are travelling to, the cost of medical expenses can be astronomical!
Our advice would be to always ensure that you and your family have travel insurance in place, prior to travelling. You can enjoy the peace of mind that, should you need it, your policy can provide adequate protection for you and your loved ones.
We asked our HNW Account Executive, Jonny Davies, to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions that we receive in relation to Travel Insurance: –
How does travel insurance work?
Travel insurance works very similarly to other standard types of insurance, such as home or car insurance. You pay a premium and in return your chosen insurance company will provide you with financial protection if you face certain issues or experience some form of loss whilst on, or prior to, your travels. Policies will commonly cover things such as unexpected cancellations, medical expenses, lost luggage, and trip abandonment.
Since cover varies from policy to policy, it is always worth checking your documentation prior to travel to ensure you understand what you are actually covered for. Travel policies can also be arranged in various forms; a single trip policy, an annual policy, or it can even be attached to certain High Value Household policies that can cover the policyholder and any other persons that live at the address and are declared.
How do I decide how much cover I need?
This will vary on a case-by-case basis. Things to take into consideration will include the cost of the trip, the duration of the trip, and the location(s). It is always best to speak to your Insurance Broker to ask for their advice.
I have a pre-existing medical condition. Will my travel insurance policy cover this?
Certain policies can cover pre-existing medical conditions, as long as they are disclosed prior to the arrangement of the policy, and the insurance company have confirmed they are happy to offer cover.
Will I be covered for COVID-19 related claims?
Now we are in 2023, the majority of travel insurances are offering some form of Covid-19 cover, as long as you are adhering to the relevant government’s official advice at the time.
Finally, is an expensive policy always better? How do I know I’m getting good value for money?
As a general rule, a policy that offers more cover will tend to come with a higher premium. Although it is worth noting that policies can be tailored to suit your individual needs, so that you’re not paying a higher premium for coverage that you simply do not require. Again, we would advise that you speak to an advised broker if you need any assistance.