How To Find The Best Travel Insurance For You
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Travel insurance provides peace of mind that you’ll be protected financially if certain events happen that result in you losing money or incurring additional unforeseen costs.
So what are the most common claims? The costs of medical treatment while away and cancellation of a trip account for 85% of all claims, according to data from our travel partner CYTI. This is followed by loss of possessions (including baggage), travel disruption and delayed departures.
You’ll need to consider levels of cover and excesses for these events when looking for a travel insurance policy while, in the era of Covid, there’s now even more to look out for. So, where should you start?
- Best travel insurance providers 2022
- What methodology did we use?
- What are the best deals for travel insurance by destination?
- Covid-19 travel rules and restrictions
- What about travel insurance and cover for Covid-related risks?
- What does travel insurance cover?
- What types of travel insurance policy are there?
- What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
- What levels of cover can I choose from?
- What optional extras does travel insurance offer?
Best travel insurance providers 2022
We’ve conducted research into the UK’s best travel insurance providers (July 2022) and have identified our top 10.
We’ve focused on policies for families which extend to Covid-related risks, and which offer at least £2 million in medical and repatriation cover and £2,000 in cancellation cover, as well as £1,500 for lost or stolen baggage and belongings, as recommended by the MoneyHelper.
Please note that exclusions and limitations on cover will differ between policies, so always check the small print.
Find more details on how we scored the policies in our methodology below.
What methodology did we use?
We used data from our travel insurance partner CYTI to review single trip travel insurance policies for a family of four (two adults, both aged in their 40s, and two teenagers) travelling to Spain for seven days.
We’ve assumed no members of the family have any pre-existing medical conditions.
All policies include at least £2 million in medical and repatriation cover and £2,000 in cancellation cover, which extend to risks related to Covid-19, as well as £1,500 in baggage and belongings cover.
We found the least expensive policies that met these credentials and scored them based on price. We then converted each score into a Forbes Advisor star rating out of five.
What are the best deals for travel insurance by destination?
The price of your travel insurance policy will be determined by a number of factors, a crucial one being the country you are planning on travelling to.
Below we’ve listed the minimum you are likely to pay for a travel insurance policy, and the average policy price, based on holiday destination.
Covid-19 travel rules and restrictions
The rules and restrictions on international travel changed frequently, often at short notice, over the course of the pandemic.
You’ll find the latest information and guidance on all aspects of travel at our travel blog, and any official updates via the Government website.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) also issues advice on which countries are safe to visit. It takes into account a wide range of factors beyond Covid-19, such as natural disasters, war, civil unrest, and other diseases.
If you travel against FCDO advice, your travel insurance is likely to be rendered invalid unless your policy specifically covers this risk.
Note also that countries you are planning to visit may have their own entry requirements and restrictions, so check before making arrangements and again before travelling.
What does travel insurance cover?
What types of travel insurance policy are there?
When comparing travel insurance, you’ll come across several different policy types, so you’ll need to consider which best suits your needs:
- Single trip – providing cover for one trip, for a specific destination over a fixed time.
- Annual multi-trip – designed for those planning to take more than two holidays or business trips a year to multiple destinations.
- Worldwide – allowing you to travel to destinations across the globe and can either include or exclude the USA, Canada and the Caribbean (some policies also include or exclude Mexico). Medical care in these areas is expensive, so it’s cheaper to exclude them if you don’t plan to visit.
- Family – this covers family members and can work out cheaper than buying separate cover for each person.
- Group – suitable if you are travelling with up to 12 friends or family members, providing you’re travelling from the same country.
- Cruise – designed to provide cover for the activities and risks associated with cruise holidays, such as cabin confinement and missed port departure.
- Winter sports – providing cover if you plan to take part in high-risk activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
- Backpacker – designed to cover you on longer trips overseas, often to multiple countries.
- Over 65s – providing more affordable cover for those over the age of 65 who may be more likely to claim for medical treatment.
- Business travel – specialist cover for those travelling for business purposes.
What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
If you have, or have had, a medical condition, you may need to buy your travel insurance from a specialist provider. The same applies if you are recovering from serious injury.
The pre-existing medical conditions in question include, among others, cancer, heart problems, respiratory ailments, Crohn’s disease and diabetes. They can also include more common complaints such as asthma and hayfever as well as Covid-19.
When you complete a travel insurance quotation, you’ll be asked if you have a pre-existing condition. If you answer ‘No’ you’ll simply carry on, but if you answer ‘Yes’ we’ll ask you to provide more details.
Once this is done, you’ll be shown prices for specialist travel insurance policies that include cover for your condition. Our panel offers a good range of providers who can offer specialist medical cover.
It’s very important that you provide complete and accurate information when asked so we can make sure you get the protection you need.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be charged an additional premium. If the additional premium for your condition is considered high (more than £100 for an individual), we will tell you and suggest you try the MoneyHelper to see a list of specialist companies who provide travel insurance to those with pre-existing medical conditions. You can call them free on 0800 138 7777. Many of these companies are also on our panel.
What levels of cover can I choose from?
Depending on how comprehensive you want your travel insurance to be, and how much you’re willing to pay, you’ll be able to choose from a range of policies (for example, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) offering varying degrees of cover.
Bronze packages typically offer the most basic level of cover and as a result, premiums are often the most affordable, although you may have to pay a higher excess (the amount, perhaps £50 or £100, which will be deducted from any claims pay-out).
Silver, Gold and Platinum offer increasing amounts of cover and higher policy limits, with higher premiums as a result.
Gold and Platinum plans typically come at a higher price, so you’ll need to weigh up which plan best suits your requirements.
What optional extras does travel insurance offer?
Optional extras are additional coverage options you can choose to bolt on to your policy to make it more comprehensive. These typically include:
- Gadget cover – protecting gadgets such as your tablet or mobile phone against loss, theft or damage.
- Travel delay – offers an inconvenience benefit up to a pre-specified amount if your booked outward or return journey is delayed for a set period of time (typically 12 hours) after checking in
- Scheduled airline failure – in the event your airline goes out of business.
- End supplier failure – in the event your hotel, travel company or airline goes into administration.
- Legal expenses – covering legal fees for an incident that was not your fault.
- Natural catastrophe and terrorism cover – for claims relating to a natural disaster such as volcano eruptions and earthquakes, and those relating to acts of terrorism.
- Sports and activities cover – cover for taking part in high-risk or winter sports.
- Hospital benefit – covers the cost of necessities such as food while you are in hospital.
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