Travel insurance
is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, financial (such as money invested in nonrefundable pre-payments), and other losses incurred while traveling, either within one's own country, or internationally.
Travel insurance can usually be arranged at the time of booking of a trip to cover exactly the duration of that trip or a more extensive, continuous insurance can be purchased from (most often) travel insurance companies, travel agents or directly from travel suppliers such as cruiselines or tour operators. However, travel insurance purchased from travel suppliers tends to be less inclusive than insurance offered by insurance companies.
Travel insurance often offers coverage for a variety of travelers. Student travel, business travel, leisure travel, adventure travel, cruise travel, and international travel are all various options that can be insured.
The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance are:
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Medical expenses
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Emergency evacuation/repatriation
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Overseas funeral expenses
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Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
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Cancellation
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Curtailment
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Delayed departure
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Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money (including travel documents)
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Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
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Legal assistance
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Personal liability and rental car damage excess
Some travel policies will also provide cover for additional costs, although these vary widely between providers.
And in addition, often separate insurance can be purchased for specific costs such as:
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pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
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high risk sports (e.g. skiing, scuba-diving)
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travel to high risk countries (e.g. due to war or natural disasters or acts of terrorism)
Common Exclusions:
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pre-existing medical conditions
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war or terrorism - but some plans may cover this risk
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pregnancy related expenses
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injury or illness caused by alcohol or drug use
Travel insurance can also provide helpful services, often 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that can include concierge services and emergency travel assistance.
Typically travel insurance for the duration of a journey costs approximately 5-7% of the cost of the trip.
SaberBlade
asked:
"I am a british citizen, planning on visiting the US for about 80 days. What I am looking for is good, cheap, reliable travel insurance. I've seen some quotes that cost as much as the flight itself so any assistance would be appreciated.--Thanks."
Question posted courtesy of:
Jillot replied:
"I used to use columbus direct.com which seemd to be reasonable but insurance to the USA is always quite expensive because of the medical costs there and you need proper coverage for medical emergencies."
aussie_traveller_josie replied:
"I think that you will find a great deal on Moneysupermarket.com thats where I got my travel insurance, and they actually had to pay out on my policy as I ended up in a French hospital. My insurance was about 40pounds, and it was for annual insurance! I think from memory you could go away for up to 94 days at a time, or 17days at a time if you included winter sports.Hope this helps - just remember to read the small print about how many consecutive days away from the UK you are covered for! Happy Travels!"
akickinthebox replied:
"I would suggest worldnomads.com. They're very reasonably priced."
scientician82
asked:
"I am travelling to Syndey this weeked for a holiday from Brisbane. Should I get travel insurance? I have private health insurance. I don't think it is necessary. I have had travel insurance before but this was for overseas travel."
Question posted courtesy of:
iansand9876 replied:
"I never get travel insurance for domestic travel. My household contents insurance covers lost or stolen stuff, and my health insurance covers health problems."
cass replied:
"One major thing that your health insurance won't cover though is problems with the airline/flight. For example, one trip from Melbourne - Gold Coast couldn't take off because of flooding on the Gold Coast. All that the airline could offer was a flight 2 days later or a credit. My travel insurance picked up the difference (about $350 extra) to change to a different airline and fly into Brisbane later that day.Other things to consider, if you get sick while you're away or even before you are due to go and you can't fly on the day you have booked, if you don't give 24 hours notice you won't be able to change your date on discounted tickets and you then have to forfeit your ticket and buy a new one for when you are well enough. Travel insurance would cover this.Mind you, there are many people out there who don't take insurance for domestic trips, I guess it comes down to whether you have to money to cover it if something goes wrong...."
vik
asked:
"I have been comparing travel insurance for two people under 60 for four days in europe. I have checked the excess details and there is no considerable difference between the different insurers. The policies I viewed are almost identicle and where I have seen differences, they are negligible.So why have I seen policies with premiums as high as £30 and some low as £6-£7 (and the insurance is covered by big insurers for the low ones I found too). I looked at the small print and again from what I could make of it, there was no considerable difference.What's the difference then? What am I missing? and if it is as black and white as I can see, then is it worth me just buying the insurance at the cost of £7?"
Question posted courtesy of:
speedball182 replied:
"just use an E1 11 form - its freewhatever treatment you have in a European hospital, the NHS will cover the cost.might have to check if it doesn't cover certain things.The differences’ might be the same as Persil and Daz. they are made in the same factory, by the same people, but one is more expensive than the other - why? you can cover two markets at the same time. The more expensive will sell less but have higher percentage profits, the others the opposite - general market stuff i presume."
jacg replied:
"Is one for a single trip and the other for a whole year? Or one just European and the other worldwide cover? Or perhaps one covers you for damage/loss? Did you give exactly the same answers to the medical questions in both cases as they may have underwritten you differently?If none of these apply, you will probably be better off with the cheaper one. It is advisable if you are travelling in Europe to get the NHS cover as the person above suggests. You can apply for it online. It's a really simple form and we got our little card jobbies three days later. If you check on the Dept of Health website, it explains on there that there are certain instances where the medical insurance will not cover you if you do not have the E111 equivalent card completed."
Pat replied:
"why u want trav insurance...get an ehic card"
onukpa replied:
"the premium can vary based on 1. the duration of stay ; you may be buying a one-year or longer duration cover for one,2. based on their biodata one person may have a higher risk rating thean the other in terms of health, age, claims experience etc.,3. one may have a higher limit of indemnity"
Feinschmecker replied:
"As someone who's a qualified underwriter and once actually wrote the small print ..................Travel insurance as sold by travel agents is one huge scam.Once one sets aside the stuff sold by travel agents, the difference tends to hinge on three things:1. the method of selling: companies geared up to selling on the internet have very low overheads compared to others2. the strictness of underwriting i.e. how they treat "substandard lives." Some policies are only offered at standard rates to people who in effect have never had a day's illness in their lives. If you've ever been near a hospital for anything or if your parents died before they were 80 you aren't covered, even if they've taken your premium. It's all there in the small print, if you could understand it.3. the claims policy of the company concerned. Some companies keep the premiums low by contesting every last penny of every claim and in effect paying out next to nothing. Others charge more but pay out more readily.Read the small print VERY carefully.For what it's worth -- and it's decades since I worked in insurance and there's nothing in it for me! -- I've usedwith considerable satisfaction. It's an example of the sort of company that keeps the price down by using the internet via a well-designed website.No one company is best for everyone, though, so do your homework thoroughly.If you absolutely must use a travel agent's insurance, then Trailfinders are as good as any of the travel agents' insurance offerings. Nothing at all wrong with it, but there's cheaper out there on the web that's just as good."
buttercup
asked:
"I'm looking for a basic travelers insurance that will cover accidents and theft to my electronics without huge deductables or insane exclusions. Any recommendations? **I am not looking for renters insurance, just travel insurance."
Question posted courtesy of:
Anon Kirby replied:
"Certain credit card companies offer travel insurance when you purchase your flight ticket with their credit card, such as American Express, and maybe Discover Card. So, check with your credit card company and see what they offer.Or, check with your insurance agent (auto, home, etc.)."
RUTH H replied:
"Try to have as much information as you could perhaps is one of the options,however it is labor consuming,here is the place i have ever had good experience with.http://insurance.online-frees.info/insurance-free.htm"
travelers replied:
"You should look for a "package" travel insurance plan. Those plans include baggage insurance which is a form of property coverage that is limited to personal effects and luggage. Most plans will either limit the amount they will pay for loss of electronic devices or will exclude them entirely. A good site to start with is: However, you're probably not going to have to many options for electronic devices. They haven't been too popular with travel insurance companies in the past several years."
Tom replied:
"Checkout their theft rider, and the link for a free quote. "
tman
asked:
"I stay in UK and at end of month will travel to China and need to get travel insurance, probably annual in case I go off again somewhere in a years time. Previously I was with Direct Travel Insurance, they seem to have good cover and are reasonable, but do you know a better one? Pray tell!"
Question posted courtesy of:
Telf replied:
"Im with Boots, annual, worldwide.£125 for a family policy."
Michael W replied:
"Check out the insurance with the Post Office, I have found them with good terms and conditions and competitive in the past."
Susan M replied:
"From my personal experience (I travel to China ten times per year for periods of one to two months each time.) I like TravelEx insurance. They have offices in China, and they have always been prompt at dispursing claims I've made for travel delay. I've never had the chance to test the metal of their medical component though it appears to be robust. You can get a quote at this link below:"
Tom replied:
"Susan got it right, TravelEx is definately the way to go."
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