Travel insurance can provide you with financial and practical help if something goes wrong on your trip. This could be paying for lost luggage, medical bills or accidents or covering flight cancellations or theft.
When choosing your travel insurance, make sure you check the exclusions to see exacly what you are and are not covered for. You may have to pay extra to get existing medical conditions covered, remember you must always disclose any medical conditions or your insurance company may be able to invalidate your claim. You may also have to take out extended cover if your trip will involve particular sporting activities.
For more information on travel insurance and to understand how to choose the right level of cover, get the best deal and how to make a travel insurance claim, follow this link to MoneyHelper.
Further information can be found at the following links:
The most important thing to remember is to ask if you are unsure about the level of cover your policy gives you.
For a checklist to make sure your policy covers everything you will need, follow this link.
Travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions
If you've been ill or have any medical conditions it can be harder and more expensive to get travel insurance especially if you are over 70. However you must declare all medical conditions when you apply for a travel insurance policy. Not all insurers cover certain medical conditions and those that do will charge you more for cover. However, if you do not declare them your policy could be invalid.
Details of what you should declare when taking out travel insurance is available from bbc.co.uk.
More information and help with choosing a policy if you have medical conditions can be found at the following links:
Travel insurance when you are older
Travel insurance can be harder to obtain and may cost you more if you are over 70 or in some cases over 65. Finding an affordable policy can be difficult especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. More information on finding a policy can be found at the following links::
Making a Claim
Specific information detailing what to do if there is a problem with your holiday or travel including if your holiday is cancelled and making a claim can be found at the following links:
Medical Bills
The majority of travel insurance will cover medical bills for £1million and pay for an emergency air ambulance to bring you home for treatment.
Inside of the European Union UK residents are entitled to free or reduced-cost State-provided healthcare provided you have a European Health Insurance Card. As a result of the BREXIT deal the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is to be slowly replaced by the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). You can no longer apply for or renew an EHIC card. If you already have an EHIC card you do not need to apply for a GHIC card until your EHIC card expires. It is important to bear in mind that this is not travel insurance - it will only cover you when you are ill and should not be regarded as a replacement for travel insurance.
More information on healthcare abroad including how to apply for an GHIC is available at
Airline and Travel Agent Insurance
You will often by offered travel insurance by the airline you use or the travel agent where you booked your holiday – you can opt out of this insurance if you have your own and save money. Additionally you may find that your bank, building society or sometimes even your employer may offer free travel insurance. Make sure you check what this insurance covers before you travel using it.
Other Information
Guides to keeping your money safe abroad is available from
For information on precautions and steps to take before travelling – click here.
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