One trip or two?

There are so many things to do when you’re planning a holiday and an important part of that is sorting your travel insurance.

It’s always a great time to brush up on your travel insurance knowledge, because having the right policy for your holiday (or holidays) can save time and money as well as giving you the confidence of cover.

If you’re booking a trip, these tips will help you get a policy that’s the perfect travel companion.

Single trip or annual policy?

There are two types of travel insurance: single trip and annual multi-trip. Single trip cover is perfect if you’re only planning to take one holiday in a year. If you’re thinking about two or more holidays, an annual multi-trip policy may be more suitable.

Rather than covering you for the length of your trip, an annual policy covers you for a whole year and as many holidays as you like within that. Insurers will have a limit on the length of a holiday. At Co-op Insurance, it’s up to 55 days on our platinum cover but you can take as many trips as you like.

This can work out cheaper than buying a single trip policy for each holiday, as well as saving you time arranging cover.

Picking the right cover level

Whether you pick an annual multi-trip or a single trip policy, you’ll be offered a choice of cover levels. As well as offering more cover, the higher levels may also have lower excesses and additional features. For example, our higher levels of cover include pet care to cover the cost of extra kennel or cattery fees if you’re delayed.

To help you decide which cover level to choose, think about where you’re going, what you’re taking with you and what you can afford to pay in excesses if you do need to claim.

Selecting geographical cover

Insurers will offer you a choice of cover too from UK only to Europe, worldwide excluding the USA, Mexico, Canada and Caribbean, to worldwide cover.

This reflects the fact that medical costs vary significantly around the world. Suffer a heart attack in the US for example and you’ll be facing a six-figure bill if you don’t have travel insurance, especially if you need to be flown home while you’re still unwell.

It’s not an issue on a single trip policy as you’ll know where you’re going, but do think about your future holiday destinations if you opt for an annual policy.

Include your medical history

Wherever you’re going on holiday, it’s important to tell your travel insurer if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. This could be anything from medication for diabetes through to treatment for cancer.

Your insurer will assess whether they can cover that condition while you’re away. If you don’t tell them and you do need treatment, your claim could be declined.

With the insurance sorted, you can relax and look forward to your holiday. Plan some day trips, research the best local restaurants or just check out the weather forecast.

Co-op Insurance can help you find the right choice for your holiday. Visit our travel insurance page to find out more and get a quote.