What does travel insurance cover?

Specifics of a policy can vary, depending on things like optional extras, but the goal of all Travel Insurance is to protect you from unforeseen problems that can otherwise result in your trip being ruined and you being left out of pocket. Travel insurance can't stop your flight being cancelled. but it can make it easier for you to recoup your tickets.

The three most important things covered by most travel insurance policies are cancellations, luggage and medical costs. But there are also some important extras like rental car excess cover and optional cover like winter sports protection of cover for specialist equipment like golfing gear.

Cancellations

Cancellation cover is the best reason to book your travel insurance as early as possible. If the reason for cancellation is known before you book then you won’t be covered. For example, if you book flights and then a strike is announced it’s too late to book. To avoid any issues book your travel insurance as soon as you book your dates.

You are also covered for cancellations on your part for specific reasons. To put it simply this means that you aren’t covered if you just change your mind and cancel your flight, but if you were injured and unable to fly then you would likely be covered.

Make sure that you read your policy to know exactly what reasons are covered for cancelling your trip, but common inclusions are illness, injury, bereavement or other emergencies.

Luggage

Luggage can get lost and damaged during transit. It’s also possible that it gets stolen while you’re away. Depending on what is lost or damaged this could be anything from an inconvenience you can fix when you get home to a holiday ruining problem – no one wants to spend a week abroad without a change of clothes after all.

Travel insurance can’t stop this from happening but it can stop it ruining your holiday by providing you the funds to replace what was lost. The most important thing to remember is that there may be stipulations attached to your policy when it comes to luggage. There may be a maximum payout for example.

If you are going to be travelling with specialist equipment it may also require add-ons to cover. This is due to the increased cost of replacing them in the event something happens. If you travel with a laptop or other high value electronics then it is worth trying to find a gadget insurance policy that will protect you while abroad. If you’re unsure whether it’s covered then it’s best to have a chat with an agent.

Medical Cover

You should always make sure you have medical cover when travelling abroad particularly if you plan on travelling outside of the EU. While your European Health Insurance Card will give you the same access to healthcare as a local this is limited to what is medically necessary and state care. Travel insurance can cover the costs of repatriation if necessary and give you access to a wider range of medical services, like private health care.

In countries that don’t recognise the EHIC it is even more important to make sure you have adequate medical cover. If you don’t you can end up paying out of pocket for an expensive doctors visit.

Remember that certain activities require additional add-ons. High risk activities like winter or water sports likely aren’t covered by standard on your policy so if you’re injured while doing them you won’t be covered unless you opt-in to extra cover. It is also important to disclose any medical conditions when booking your travel insurance. If you don’t it could result in a claim being denied.

Specialist Cover

You’ll have the chance to add optional extras to your travel insurance. Usually this is to include specific activities. While our travel insurance includes many water sports as part of the standard cover this isn’t true of specific activities that require much greater risk. For cover on particularly risky activities you need to talk to an agent to specifically include them in your policy, which may involve an increase in premium.

While there might be an increase in premium, we still recommend getting covered and disclosing high risk activities. If you don’t then any problem arising as a result of those activities won’t be covered under your policy.

You won’t need all optional extras. If you’re going skiing then winter sport is a must, but if you’re planning on lounging by the pool in Spain you can safely skip it. For full details on what is covered and what needs to be disclosed to be covered then just have a look through the policy documentation. If you can’t find it there then don’t hesitate to get in contact. We’re here to help!

Key Takeaways

Travel insurance protects you before and during your trip – covering cancellations, medical costs abroad, and lost or stolen belongings. Here's what you need to know:

Buy cover As Soon As You Book. So you're protected if something happens before you go and you need to cancel.

Always declare all medical conditions. Or any claims may be rejected.

Find the best policy for you. Not all travel insurance is created equal, finding the right policy is about matching your needs and prices. You can get a cheaper policy if it doesn't include winter sports, but if you're going skiing it won’t help you much either.

Take your free EHIC or GHIC card for medical care in the EU. This will give you the same level of care as a local will get, but it isn't a substitute for insurance.

Take your plans into consideration. Not all policies will cover what you need. If you’re planning on taking part in any high-risk activities make sure you disclose them for complete cover.