What does travel insurance actually cover?

When you're planning a trip, it's easy to focus on flights, hotels and what to pack. It is also worth thinking about what could go wrong. Travel insurance can help if something unexpected happens before or during your trip. It may cover emergency medical treatment, cancelling a holiday, travel delays and lost or stolen belongings.

What's covered depends on your policy, so it's important to check the details before you travel. In this guide, we'll explain what travel insurance usually covers, what may not be covered, and what to look out for before you go.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to help if something unexpected affects your trip. It may help with costs if you need to cancel your holiday, receive medical treatment while you're away, or replace belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance can help if unexpected things happen before or during your trip. Depending on your policy, it may help pay for emergency medical treatment if you become ill or injured abroad. It can also provide cover if you need to cancel your trip, or if your travel is delayed or disrupted.

Many policies can help if your luggage or personal belongings are lost or stolen. Some may also cover the cost of replacing important travel documents, such as a passport, if they are lost or stolen while you're away.

Every travel insurance policy is different, so it's important to check what is included in your cover before you travel. This can help you understand what support is available if something goes wrong during your trip.

Does travel insurance cover medical emergencies abroad?

Medical cover is often one of the main parts of a travel insurance policy. If you become ill or get injured while you're away, your policy may help pay for:

• emergency medical treatment
• hospital stays
• ambulance services
• medicine prescribed by a doctor
• bringing you home if you become seriously ill or injured and your doctor says it is medically necessary

Medical treatment can be very expensive in some countries, so it's worth checking how much medical cover your policy provides.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

Sometimes plans change and you may need to cancel a holiday before you travel. Travel insurance can sometimes help with the money you've already spent if you need to cancel for a reason that is covered by your policy. For example, you might become seriously ill, get injured, experience the death of a loved one, or have a family emergency that means you can no longer travel. In some cases, your insurer may help you recover some of the costs of your holiday.

If you become very ill just a few days before your trip and a doctor tells you that it is not safe for you to travel, you may be able to make a claim for some of the money you have already paid for your holiday, as long as this is covered by your policy. Every travel insurance policy is different, so it is important to read yours carefully. This will help you understand which reasons for cancelling a trip are covered and when you may be able to make a claim.

Does travel insurance cover travel delays?

Sometimes journeys do not go to plan. Flights, trains, and ferries can be delayed, which can affect your travel plans. Travel insurance may be able to help if this happens. Depending on your policy, you could make a claim if your journey is delayed for a certain amount of time. You may also be covered if you miss a connecting flight, train, or ferry because of something outside your control. Some policies can even help if you need to end your trip early and return home sooner than planned.

For example, if your first flight is delayed and you miss your next flight, your travel insurance may help with the extra costs, as long as this is included in your cover.

Does travel insurance cover lost or stolen luggage?

Many travel insurance policies include cover for luggage. This may help if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. If something is stolen, you'll usually need to report it to the local police and get a crime reference number. There may also be limits on how much you can claim.

Are my personal belongings covered?

Travel insurance may cover personal items that you take with you, such as clothes, mobile phones, cameras, tablets and watches. Some items may have individual claim limits. Higher value items may need extra cover or may need to be declared when you buy your policy.

What is usually not covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance is not designed to cover every situation. Common exclusions can include:

Medical conditions you have not told your insurer about. If you already have a medical condition, you need to tell your insurer about it when you apply. If you do not provide the information requested, claims linked to that condition may not be covered.

Adventure activities and sports. If you're planning activities like these, check whether you need extra cover:

• skydiving
• mountaineering
• scuba diving
• winter sports

There are other circumstances where you should check your policy including:

• Travelling against official advice: some policies may not cover trips to places where official government advice recommends against travel. Always check the latest travel advice before you go.
• Alcohol or drug related incidents: your insurer may not pay a claim if alcohol or drugs played a significant role in what happened.
• Leaving belongings unattended: claims may be affected if personal belongings are left unattended or reasonable care has not been taken to keep them safe.

Do I need to tell my insurer about medical conditions?

If you have a medical condition before you travel, it's important to answer your insurer's questions honestly and accurately. Depending on the insurer and the condition, they may:

• include the condition in your cover
• charge an additional premium
• exclude certain claims linked to that condition

If you're unsure whether you need to declare a medical condition, contact your insurer before buying cover.

What should I check before I travel?

Before you set off, take some time to understand your cover. Before you go on your trip, it's a good idea to learn about your travel insurance. Take a few minutes to read through your policy so you know what it can help with and what it cannot cover. You should understand what is included in your cover, what is not covered, and if there are any limits on how much you can claim.

It's also important to know if you would need to pay any money yourself if you make a claim. If you're planning to do activities while you're away, check that they are included in your cover. You should also make sure that any medical conditions listed on your policy are correct. Reading these details before you travel can help you avoid surprises and make it easier to get the support you need if something goes wrong during your trip.

In conclusion

Travel insurance can help with a range of unexpected situations, including medical emergencies, trip cancellation, travel delays, and lost or stolen luggage. However, not everything is covered. Limits, conditions and exclusions can apply and cover can vary between policies.

Before you travel, check your policy carefully so you understand exactly what's included and what is not. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Always read your policy documents for full details of your cover, exclusions, limits and terms and conditions.