Travel Insurance: FAQs

Q. When should I take out travel insurance?

A. You can take out your travel insurance at any point before leaving the UK, but most would suggest purchasing your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday. That way, you’ve got cover already if something goes wrong before you travel, like needing to cancel your trip.

Q. What is a policy excess?

A. Your policy excess is the amount you are expected to pay towards a claim. It’s payable per person, per claim, and per section you claim under. Generally speaking, the higher your excess the lower your premium. The same applies vice versa, especially if you decide to go for a nil excess policy.

Q. Why is travel insurance a good idea? 

A. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind! It’s mainly to cover any medical care you might need if you get ill or have an accident on your trip. It also helps with things like cancelled flights, lost luggage, or other unforeseen circumstances you might encounter.

Q. Can I get travel insurance if I’m pregnant?

A. Absolutely! Pregnancy isn't considered a pre-existing medical condition, so you’re likely to be covered by most travel insurers as standard. However, you wouldn’t typically be covered if you intend to give birth abroad, or if you travel within a certain time frame of your due date. As always, terms and conditions will apply and vary between policy and provider.

Q. Do I need to declare my pre-existing medical conditions?

A. Yes, in fact it’s really important that you do. Part of the purpose of travel insurance is to cover you for unexpected medical costs, which can be pre-empted through a medical declaration. Answer all the questions honestly, and if you're unsure about any condition, it's best to ask your insurer directly. Remember if you don’t declare the right information or deliberately decide to leave something off, your claims might be rejected or not fully paid.

Q. Do I still need to take my EHIC/GHIC with me?

A. If you’ve got one, absolutely! If your EHIC has expired, you need to replace it (for free) with a GHIC via the NHS. These cards help with the cost of healthcare and medical expenses in the European Union, but they don’t replace travel insurance and won’t cover things like repatriation.

Q. Does travel insurance cover travelling abroad to receive medical treatment?

A. No, travel insurance generally won’t cover you if you know you’re going to need medical treatment abroad. This ranges from cosmetic surgery to kidney dialysis, so if this is a possibility you should search for a more specialist policy.