Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Insurance

Choosing the right excess

The excess is the amount you have to pay if you make a claim.

You can drag the excess slider to filter the results based on the maximum you are willing to pay. For example, if you set the excess to £100, you will only see policies that have an excess of £100 or less. The results will update automatically.

Choosing a higher excess will usually result in cheaper policies but may also reduce the amount or type of cover provided.

You should always make sure the selected policy meets all of your requirements because the cheapest policies are not always the best.

Medical Cover

Virtually all travel insurance policies cover medical costs as standard. This type of cover protects you if you become ill or sustain injury whilst on holiday.

Medical cover includes a broad range of medical-related expenses (depending on the policy) such as:

• The cost of emergency treatment.
• Additional accommodation or travel costs.
• Hospital inconvenience benefit (compensation for missing your holiday due to being hospitalised).
• Repatriation if you need to return home.

However, there are some circumstances where medical cover may not be provided; for example, if you have consumed an excessive amount of alcohol or taken non-prescription drugs.

Medical cover may also not be provided for pre-existing medical conditions unless you tell the insurer about your condition(s) before you travel.

Check the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for full details of the medical cover provided by this policy.

Baggage Cover

Baggage cover allows you to make a claim for your baggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen while you're travelling.

There are some exceptions as to what you can claim for. For example, you may not be covered for:

• Cash that is left in your baggage whilst it is unattended (e.g. in the hold of a plane or coach).
• Items that are insured separately.
• Thefts that are not reported to the police within 24 hours.

You should read the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for specific information about what baggage cover is provided by this policy.

Cancellation Cover

If you have to cancel or cut short (curtail) your holiday, you may be able to claim cancellation cover for some holiday-related expenses. Typically, cancellation cover includes:

• Pre-booked transport such as plane or train tickets.
• Pre-booked accommodation including hotels and campsites.
• Some pre-booked expenses such as excursions and tours.

Valid reasons for cancellation do vary between insurers, but most will pay out for cancellations arising from:

• An accident or unexpected illness prior to travel.
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advising against all but essential travel to your destination.
• A fire or flooding at your home.
• Bereavement.

Specific details of the cancellation cover provided by this policy can be found in the Policy Wording and Product Information Document.

Airline Failure Cover

If the airline you are travelling with becomes insolvent before or during your travels, you may be able to claim for airline failure.

Typical examples of expenses covered by this type of claim include:

• The cost of purchasing new flight tickets if the airline becomes insolvent before your trip.
• The cost a return ticket if the airline becomes insolvent during your trip.
• The irrecoverable cost of your flights if you have to cancel your trip due to airline insolvency.

Note: If you've booked a package holiday which includes flights with a travel company that is ATOL protected, you will automatically be covered for airline failure by the ATOL scheme.

As with all types of cover, there are restrictions and exclusions as to what's covered so be sure to read the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for specific details relating to this policy.

Money Cover

Some policies will cover the loss or theft of cash up to a certain limit. Depending on the policy, this cover may also be extended to personal belongings and valuables as well.

When you're travelling you should always try to keep cash and valuables on you if possible or lock them away in a secure place such as a hotel safe.

Generally, insurers won't pay out if:

• The cash or personal belongings were left unattended, for example in a bag, car or hotel drawer.
• You didn't report the theft or loss to the local police within 24 hours (you'll need a crime reference number or written report).

In addition, there will be a limit to the maximum amount you can claim for a single item so bear this in mind when packing for your holiday.

If you make a claim for money or personal belongings, you'll need to prove the loss so keep any bank statements, order references or withdrawal receipts that might help your claim.

There are always exclusions as to what is covered so be sure to read the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for specific details relating to this policy.

Travel Delay Cover

If you arrive at the airport on time but your flight is delayed, you may be able to claim for travel delay.

Most policies will pay a certain amount for each fixed period of delay, such as £50 for every hour over 12 hours.

It's important that you check the Policy Wording and Production Information Document for policy-specific information relating to travel delay because some policies only provide travel delay cover under specific circumstances such as:

• Industrial or strike action.
• Poor weather conditions.
• A mechanical breakdown with public transport.

This cover usually applies to other forms of transport as well such as ferries.

If you are delayed for a long period of time - usually 24 hours - you may be able to abandon your trip and make a separate claim for trip abandonment instead.

Trip Abandonment Cover

If the outward part of your journey is delayed for a long time - usually 24 hours - you may be able to abandon your trip altogether and make a trip abandonment claim.

Some policies also provide cover if part of a trip has been abandoned; for example, if you have to abandon a trip due to a delayed connecting flight, you may be able to claim for the abandoned part of the trip.

As with all cover there may be strings attached (such as the reason or nature of the delay) so be sure to check the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for full details.

Accidental Injury Cover

If you have an accident whilst travelling such as falling over and breaking a bone, this will normally be classed as a medical expense and will be covered by the policy's medical cover. Accidental injury cover is different in that it provides a benefit payment for accidental injuries that result in your death or permanent disablement including loss of sight or loss of limb.

Check the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for full details of the accidental injury cover provided by this policy.

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Personal Liability Cover

Personal liability will cover your legal costs if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while you're travelling.

Check the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for full details of the personal injury cover provided by this policy.

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Legal Cover

If you have to claim compensation or damages from a third party during your trip, you may be able to claim legal cover which will typically include expenses such as appointing a solicitor to work on your behalf.

Check the Policy Wording and Product Information Document for full details of the legal cover provided by this policy.

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