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If you’re planning a trip overseas, having the right travel insurance cover will be essential because you may face delays, cancellations, or even require medical services. Read our ultimate guide to find out everything you need to know before buying.
Compare travel insurance providers through Utility Saving Expert within minutes to find the best deal.
We will cover frequently asked travel insurance questions such as:
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance can provide cover for things like flight delays, trip cancellations, lost or stolen contents, personal liability, and medical treatment. The type of policy you will need will ultimately depend on which country you’re travelling to, the duration of your trip, who’s travelling with you, and any activities you’ll be participating in.
You can purchase travel insurance for a single trip, multiple trips, or even for a backpacking trip.
Why do I need travel insurance?
Although we do everything possible to prevent it from happening, incidents do unfortunately occur. Travel insurance provides cover for trip delays, lost or stolen items, in addition to medical expenses. Without the right policy, any of the above can be expensive, making insurance essential for most.
Did you know that nearly 25% of people do not take out travel insurance cover for their holidays? Statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) revealed that in 2017, travel insurance providers had to pay out an estimated £370million for more than 580,000 claims.
Let’s look at some of the potential costs someone could face without having an insurance policy in place for medical emergency. We’ll take a look at some stats provided by the ABI on what was paid for a number of claims made in 2017.
£750,000+ – the medical costs for a traveller who suffered from a stroke on his USA trip. This also includes air ambulance costs for returning to the UK at £60,000.- £135,000 – the medical costs to treat a traveller in Chile who suffered from an insect bite.
- £125,000 – the medical costs for a jet-ski incident requiring surgery for a traveller who was on holiday in Turkey.
If you’re a student planning a gap year trip, a family holiday, or you’re just looking to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, there are a number of different policies available to choose from, providing the features you’re looking for.
How much does travel insurance cost?
According to the ABI, the average cost of a travel insurance policy will cost just under £40.
£1,300 – the average medical expenses claim- £815 – the average cost for a cancellation claim
What type of travel insurance policy is right for me?
With so many different options to choose from, varying levels of cover, and the optional extras that you’ll be offered, it can be confusing to choose the right travel insurance policy for your individual needs.
When selecting travel cover, it will largely depend on the following types of cover:
Single trip
This policy will only cover you for one trip, as the name implies.
Annual multi-trip
If you’re planning more than one trip each year, a multi-trip insurance policy is definitely worth considering, as it will save you time from only having to purchase once and also save you money. Remember to read the policy documents beforehand, as you may only be covered for a limited number of days overseas.
Family trips
This provides cover for your whole family under one policy, so you don’t have to purchase individual cover for each person separately.
Business travel
Business travel can provide added features and benefits if you’re travelling for work. Look out for cover that can help you find solutions for flight delays and interruptions to complete your trip.
Worldwide travel cover
Worldwide cover will be useful if you’re travelling outside of Europe. European travel insurance can be cheaper. Medical expenses can be much higher for countries outside of the EU.
Winter sports travel
If you’re planning a trip involving skiing, snowboarding or any other winter related activities, you’ll need specialist winter sports travel cover. This is because these trips have an increased level of danger and will require unique policy features. Look out for a policy that also insurers any expensive equipment you may be using.
Cruise
This provides cover for activities related to cruise ship holidays. Look out for a policy that gives you additional contents cover for loss or theft.
Couples
This will be for two adults, who are in a relationship and are residing at the same registered address.
Group travel
If you’re travelling with a number of family members and friends from the same country, this could be a suitable option as it will provide cover for the whole group, and save you money.
Backpackers
This may be suitable for students on a gap year or anyone travelling for a longer duration over a number of months.
Can I get travel insurance if I have a medical condition?
The short answer is yes. You can still buy travel insurance regardless of having a medical condition. However, you may need to search for a specialist provider. This is because some medical issues will mean that the chances of you needing medical treatment are increased while travelling.
Fortunately, we have the NHS in the UK, but you could be expected to pay for medical expenses which can cost thousands overseas.
Unfortunately, this increased risk of making a claim will also mean that specialist cover may be more expensive when compared to a standard policy.
What do I need to consider before buying a policy?
Before purchasing a travel insurance policy, you need to make sure that it meets the requirements for your trip. Check to see if it provides the right level of cover, in addition to the benefits and features you need.
As an example, a comprehensive policy should generally cover you for the following:
- Cancellation and delays
- Loss and theft of contents including luggage and personal items
- Medical expenses
- Public liability
Most single trip and annual multi-trip policies will provide cover between 90 and 180 days. If you are planning an extended trip, you’ll need to look for a policy that gives you the additional cover.
There are also a number of optional extras that you can add to your policy. Examples include winter and extreme sports cover.
Compare travel insurance quotes
Utility Saving Expert makes it quick and easy to compare UK travel insurance providers.
Before you begin, make sure you know which dates you’re travelling on, as well as information about the value of your contents to ensure you’re getting the appropriate level of cover. We’ll present you with a list of options to choose from, allowing you to filter the results to meet your requirements.
No matter what time of the year you’re travelling, we hope you have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable trip.
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