How to Choose Travel Insurance
The right travel insurance can save you from huge bills when things go wrong. Learn what cover matters, what to check and how to compare policies.
Travel insurance is easy to treat as an afterthought, but it can protect you from serious costs if you fall ill abroad, need to cancel or lose your belongings. Policies vary a lot in what they cover, so the cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Here’s how to pick a policy that genuinely fits your trip.
Know the Main Types of Cover
Most policies are built around a few core areas. Understand each one before comparing prices.
- Emergency medical expenses: treatment, hospital stays and, crucially, medical repatriation to get you home if needed. This is usually the most important part of any policy.
- Cancellation and curtailment: reimbursement if you have to cancel before you go or cut your trip short for a covered reason.
- Baggage and personal belongings: cover for lost, stolen or damaged items, often with limits per item.
- Travel delay and missed departure: help with extra costs if transport is significantly delayed.
- Personal liability: protection if you accidentally injure someone or damage property.
Match the Policy to Your Trip
- Decide between single-trip and annual cover. If you travel several times a year, an annual multi-trip policy may work out cheaper.
- Check the destination area. Policies often price by region, and some exclude certain countries or areas where official advice is against travel.
- List your planned activities. Skiing, scuba diving, trekking at altitude and other adventure sports often need extra cover.
- Consider what you’re carrying. If you’re taking expensive cameras or laptops, check single-item limits, as you may need additional gadget cover.
- Buy early. Purchasing soon after booking means you’re covered for cancellation from that point onward.
Read the Small Print
The details matter more than the headline price. Look closely at the excess, which is the amount you pay towards each claim, and the maximum payout for each section. Check exclusions carefully. Common ones include claims linked to alcohol or drugs, undeclared medical conditions, leaving belongings unattended and travelling against official government advice.
Always declare pre-existing medical conditions honestly, even if they seem minor. Failing to do so could invalidate your whole policy, leaving you to pay medical bills yourself.
Compare and Check Existing Cover
Use comparison tools to view several policies side by side, but compare cover levels rather than price alone. Before buying, check whether you already have some protection through a bank account, payment card or employer, and read what it actually includes. Some countries also have reciprocal healthcare arrangements, though these rarely cover everything a good travel policy does.
Before You Travel
- Save the insurer’s emergency assistance number in your phone and keep a printed copy.
- Carry your policy number and documents digitally and on paper.
- Know how to make a claim and what evidence you’ll need, such as receipts and police reports.
- Review the policy again if your plans change, and tell your insurer about any new health conditions.
