Travel insurance is one of those things people often overlook until it’s too late. We’ve been lucky, but have heard stories from friends, and from Kirsty’s time working for a travel company, which put the relatively small cost of insurance in to perspective.
This isn’t financial advice and you need to look at your own circumstances. But with that said, here’s how we go about choosing the best travel insurance for our trips – hopefully this at the very least is food for thought.
1. Understand the Types of Cover
There are different types of travel insurance, and not all are created equal. Generally, you’ll need coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and flight delays. Some policies even cover things like missed connections, emergency evacuation, or cancellations due to weather events. Some cover will also cover you for stuff in the UK (or at home wherever that is) – not just abroad.
Think about your trip and what you’re doing and make sure your policy covers relevant essentials.
2. Check the Medical Cover
Medical cover is one of the most important aspects of travel insurance, especially if you’re travelling abroad. Make sure your policy covers emergency medical treatment and repatriation (in case you need to be flown home). Being flown home with a need for specialist care can cost tens of thousands on its own.
If you’re travelling to places with high healthcare costs, like the US, it’s crucial to have good medical cover. For some perspective, we’ve got friends who have been charged £’000s of dollars for an ambulance trip for a nosebleed in the US.
3. Compare Multiple Providers
Not all insurance providers are the same, so we always shop around. Use comparison websites to see what’s available, but also check reviews. Some providers might offer better customer service or have more comprehensive coverage for certain activities (like adventure sports) or different geographies. If you’re looking at annual or multi-trip cover, consider whether you need Worldwide or Europe-only cover (say) – and whether they cover cruises, skiing or whatever you’re getting up to.
4. Consider Your Activities
Can’t stress this enough so it’s having its own bullet. If you’re planning on doing anything risky – like skiing, scuba diving, or even hiking – make sure your insurance covers these activities. Some policies exclude certain sports or require an additional premium for them. Always double-check the fine print to make sure you’re covered for everything we want to do. Don’t lie. Don’t chance it. Google Murphy’s law.
5. Look at Excess and Limits
Every policy has an excess (the amount you’ll need to pay before the insurance kicks in), as well as coverage limits. If you’re going on a long trip or one with high-cost activities, make sure the limits are high enough to cover potential medical bills or cancellations. A lower excess can be seen as better, but it may come with a higher premium. You need to think about how you’d trade these off.
Also, check if the excess is per claim or within a year (say) as this can vary.
6. Think About Your Trip’s Length
If you’re travelling for an extended period of time, like several months, you’ll need long-term travel insurance. Some providers offer annual policies that can cover multiple trips in a year, while others offer one-off insurance for a specific trip. We opt for annual insurance via Halifax’s Ultimate Reward Current Account – it also has roadside assistance and mobile phone insurance and is about £20 a month and covers BOTH of us (we have a joint account). It’s worldwide cover so we think this is a steal really. But, we do give them a call every now and again (it’s underwritten by Allianz, so we need to speak with them).
7. Check the Policy for ‘Pre-existing Conditions’
If you’ve got any health conditions, make sure to declare them when you buy travel insurance. Some policies won’t cover conditions like asthma, diabetes, or anything else unless they’re explicitly mentioned. We declare everything upfront to avoid any nasty surprises.
Seriously – declare it – not saying you’ve got a pre-existing heart condition might save you £20 or whatever, but if the insurance company use it as a reason not to pay out then it’s not a good outcome.
8. Read the Fine Print
No one likes reading the small print, but it’s actually worth it when it comes to insurance. Make sure you understand what’s included, what’s excluded, and how claims are handled. Some policies have exclusions for things like extreme weather events, natural disasters, or terrorism, so make sure you know where you stand.
If you’re tech-savvy and know what this means, consider copy and pasting it in to ChatGPT and asking it to tell you the key points in plain English. We’re not saying trust it – but it might flag something worth asking.
If you didn’t know what that meant, sorry.
9. Look for Added Benefits
Some insurance providers offer added benefits, like access to a 24/7 emergency helpline, concierge services, or free flight delay compensation. While they’re not essential, these perks can be really handy, especially if you find yourself in a tricky situation. For example, as mentioned above, if you’re getting annual cover rather than per-trip, it may also cover hotel stays in the UK and things like that.
10. Get the Right Coverage for Your Gear
If you’re travelling with expensive equipment (like cameras, laptops, or gadgets), make sure you have specific coverage for loss or damage. Some policies offer cover for personal belongings, but they often have limits, so check whether your gear is fully covered and if you need to add extra protection.
Choosing the right travel insurance can seem complicated, but it’s worth taking the time to find a policy that suits your needs. A little research and understanding can give you peace of mind while travelling, knowing you’re covered in case the unexpected happens.
