Travel Insurance: What You Really Need to Know

Travel insurance is designed to protect you financially when things go wrong abroad — from medical emergencies and trip cancellations to lost luggage and flight delays.

The reality is that most people never need to claim. But when you do need it, the costs without insurance can be devastating. A single hospital stay in the USA can cost $50,000+. Medical evacuation from a remote area can exceed €100,000.

Many travellers assume their home country's healthcare system will cover them abroad, or that their credit card includes sufficient coverage. In most cases, neither is true.

• Public healthcare abroad may not be free for visitors, even in countries with universal coverage.
• Credit card travel insurance often has strict limits, exclusions, and requires you to have paid for the trip on that card.
• EHIC/GHIC cards only cover state healthcare in Europe and don't include repatriation, private care, or adventure sports.
• Your employer's cover may have gaps — especially for leisure activities outside work hours during a business trip.

The exclusions are where most claims fail. Always read your policy document — not just the summary. Key things to watch for:

• Pre-existing conditions: If you have asthma, diabetes, or any ongoing condition, you must declare it. Failure to disclose can void your entire policy.
• Adventure activities: Skiing, scuba diving, motorbike riding, and bungee jumping are usually excluded from standard policies. You need an add-on or specialist cover.
• Alcohol-related incidents: If you're intoxicated and require medical treatment, your insurer may refuse the claim.
• Travel to high-risk areas: If the FCDO (UK) or State Department (USA) advises against travel to a region and you go anyway, your insurance may be void.
• Excess / deductible: Most policies have an excess (e.g., £100–£250) that you pay on each claim before the insurer covers the rest.

Don't just compare prices — compare what's actually covered. Here's what to check:

• Medical cover limit: Aim for at least £5 million (or equivalent). For the USA, £10 million+ is recommended.
• Repatriation: Make sure it's included and covers air ambulance if needed.
• Cancellation cover: Check the maximum amount and what reasons are accepted.
• Excess: Lower excess means less out-of-pocket cost per claim but higher premiums.
• Activities: If you plan to ski, dive, ride motorbikes, or hike at altitude, ensure these are covered.
• Destination-specific: Some regions (USA, Japan, Australia) require higher medical cover due to healthcare costs.

If something goes wrong, follow these steps to give your claim the best chance of success:

1. Report incidents immediately. Contact your insurer's emergency line within 24 hours for medical emergencies. For theft, file a police report within 24 hours.
2. Keep all documentation. Medical reports, receipts, police reports, flight delay confirmations — keep everything. Insurers require evidence for every claim.
3. Don't authorise expensive treatment without calling your insurer first (unless it's a life-threatening emergency). They may direct you to an approved hospital or arrange direct payment.
4. Submit your claim promptly. Most policies require claims within 28–90 days of the incident. Late claims may be rejected.

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  Buy insurance when you book. Cancellation cover starts immediately, so buying early protects you if something changes before departure.
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  Save your policy on your phone. Download the policy document, note the emergency phone number, and save your policy number somewhere accessible offline.
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  Declare all medical conditions. Even conditions you think are minor. Non-disclosure is the #1 reason claims are rejected.
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  Check activity exclusions. If you're going skiing, diving, or riding motorbikes — check before you go, not after an accident.
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  Check regional cover limits. The USA, Canada, and Japan are significantly more expensive for medical treatment. Make sure your cover is adequate for your destination.
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  Family policies can save money. Many insurers offer family policies that are cheaper than insuring each person individually.