What is Travel Insurance ? – Few FAQ’s of Travel Insurance

Travel insurance works by providing financial protection against various risks and emergencies that may occur while you’re traveling. When you purchase a travel insurance policy, you’ll need to pay a premium. In case of any covered event during your trip, you’ll first need to pay for the costs upfront (e.g., medical treatment, lost belongings), and then you can make a claim with your insurer. It’s essential to keep all relevant documents, such as medical bills or police reports, to support your claim. Without proper documentation, your claim may be rejected.

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it will remain valid until its expiry date. It allows you to receive medical treatment in certain countries at no cost or reduced rates. However, since the United Kingdom has left the European Union, you’ll need to obtain the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) as its replacement.

While the GHIC covers medical treatment in some countries, it is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance. GHIC does not provide coverage for private medical costs, rescue and repatriation, or protection for your belongings, accommodation, or flights. To ensure comprehensive coverage during your trip, it’s essential to have dedicated travel insurance.

Excess in travel insurance refers to the amount you have to pay out of pocket when making a claim. For example, if your policy has a £150 excess and you make a claim for baggage loss amounting to £800, you will pay the first £150, and the remaining £650 will be covered by your insurer.

To make a claim on your travel insurance policy, follow these steps:

a. Keep your documents handy: Ensure you have your policy documents, including the policy reference number, readily available when contacting your insurer for a claim.

b. Contact the authorities (if necessary): If your claim results from a crime, inform the local police immediately and obtain an official police report. Some insurers may require this report within a specific time frame, usually 24 hours after the incident.

c. Act promptly: Get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible if you anticipate needing to make a claim. This is particularly crucial for medical treatment, as some insurers may require prior approval before covering the costs. Check your policy documents for an emergency 24-hour contact number.

d. Gather evidence: Collect relevant evidence, such as police reports, medical notes, or receipts, to support your claim. This evidence may be necessary to validate and process your claim.

Yes, even for a holiday within the UK (staycation), travel insurance is still essential. While the National Health Service (NHS) covers the cost of medical treatment, travel insurance can provide additional benefits. For instance, it may cover the expenses of transferring you to a hospital closer to home if needed. Travel insurance can also offer protection in case of trip cancellations, baggage loss, or damage to your belongings, including gadgets like mobile phones.

You can often purchase last-minute travel insurance policies up until the date of departure. However, keep in mind that each policy has different rules regarding late bookings, and buying insurance at the last moment might mean missing out on certain coverages, especially if your trip gets canceled. To ensure comprehensive coverage, it’s best to buy your travel insurance when you book your trip.

In most cases, standard travel insurance policies provide coverage for pregnancy-related medical emergencies while traveling. However, it’s essential to inform your insurance provider about your pregnancy and check the specific coverage details before your trip.

Travel insurance typically covers medical costs for unexpected pregnancy-related emergencies. However, routine care or expenses related to giving birth may not be covered under the policy.

For UK holiday goers traveling to Europe, the basic travel insurance coverage hasn’t changed significantly after Brexit. With a valid GHIC or EHIC, UK citizens can still access state-funded healthcare in most EU countries, though there may be limitations to the level of coverage provided.

However, it’s advisable to purchase travel insurance specifically for Europe, as some policies might not cover you if you travel outside of Europe. These policies will provide adequate coverage for your trip within the European countries.

Some insurers may offer extensions to your policy while you’re already on your trip, provided the extension falls within the allowed “length of trip” limit stated in your policy. On the other hand, some insurers might require you to purchase a new policy for any extension needed.

For travelers planning a long trip or visiting multiple destinations in one holiday, long stay travel insurance might be more suitable. These policies cater to long trips and backpacking holidays, providing coverage for an extended duration.