What Makes a Good Travel Insurance Policy?

A good travel insurance policy should provide suitable protection for you, your health and your holiday. Look for essential cover such as emergency medical expenses, cancellation and belongings, but also check that the cover limits are appropriate, the excesses are manageable, and you understand any exclusions or restrictions.

Choosing travel insurance is not simply about finding the policy with the longest list of benefits or is the cheapest. A good policy is one that suits your circumstances and the type of holiday you are taking.

For example, someone with a pre-existing medical condition may need to pay particular attention to medical cover, while someone going on a cruise or skiing holiday may need additional protection for the activities they have planned.

Medical Travel Compared specialises in helping people with pre-existing medical conditions compare travel insurance. Here, we explain the key things to look for when deciding whether a policy is suitable for you and your trip.

What Should a Good Travel Insurance Policy Cover?

Travel insurance policies differ between providers, but there are several important areas of cover worth looking for:

• Emergency medical expenses and repatriation.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Baggage and personal belongings.
• Personal accident.
• Travel delay and missed departure.
• Personal liability.

Depending on your holiday, you may also need additional protection for things such as cruises, winter sports, gadgets or other activities. However, don't judge a policy simply by whether a particular benefit is included. You should also check:

• Cover limits: How much the policy will pay for each type of claim.
• Excesses: How much you may need to contribute towards a claim.
• Exclusions and restrictions: The circumstances, events or activities that may not be covered.

Looking at these details alongside the benefits included can give you a much clearer picture of whether a policy provides suitable protection for you and your trip.

1. Does It Cover the Travel Insurance Essentials?

A good travel insurance policy should protect against the main risks you could face before or during your holiday.

Emergency medical expenses and repatriation are particularly important when travelling abroad. Cancellation and curtailment cover can help protect eligible, unrecoverable trip costs, while baggage cover can provide protection for eligible belongings if they are lost, stolen or damaged. You may also want protection for travel disruption, personal accident and personal liability, depending on the policy and your circumstances.

The important thing is not to assume that all travel insurance policies provide the same protection. Check the policy benefits and terms to understand what is included.

2. Does It Cover Your Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, one of the most important questions is whether the policy provides suitable cover for your health and medical circumstances.

When getting a quote through Medical Travel Compared, you'll be asked questions about your health and medical history. Answer the medical screening questions fully and accurately so insurers can determine the cover they are able to offer.

A policy can have a high emergency medical expenses limit and still not be suitable for you if your pre-existing medical conditions are not covered. Check the outcome of your medical screening and the policy terms before you buy.

Medical Travel Compared Tip: Don't compare policies on price alone. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, make sure the policy provides suitable protection for your health as well as your holiday.

READ MORE: Which Pre-existing Medical Conditions Do I Need to Declare?

3. Are the Cover Limits Suitable for Your Trip?

Having a benefit included doesn't necessarily mean the level of cover will be enough for your particular holiday. It's not enough to check whether a policy includes a particular benefit. You should also consider whether the amount of cover provided is suitable for your holiday.

For example, check whether the cancellation limit reflects how much you could lose if you had to cancel your trip, and whether the baggage and personal belongings limits are suitable for what you are taking with you. If you rely on specialist equipment, such as a mobility aid, check how it is covered too.

Remember that individual limits and sub-limits can apply within a policy, so check the details rather than relying on the headline amount alone.

READ MORE: How Much Cover Do I Really Need?

4. Are the Excesses Suitable for You?

As well as checking how much a policy could pay towards a claim, look at how much you may need to contribute yourself. An excess is the amount you may need to contribute towards a claim. The amount can vary between policies and between different sections of cover.

When comparing policies, consider the excess alongside the cover provided. A policy may offer generous limits, but a higher excess could affect how much you receive if you need to make a claim. Check how the excess applies and make sure you would be comfortable paying it if you needed to claim.

READ MORE: What is an Excess?

5. Does It Cover Your Holiday and Planned Activities?

A good travel insurance policy should reflect the type of holiday you're taking and what you plan to do while you're away. Standard travel insurance may not automatically cover every type of holiday, activity or belonging. For example, you may need additional or specialist cover if you are going on a cruise, taking part in winter sports or travelling with valuable gadgets.

Think about your plans before you buy and check that the activities and types of travel that matter to you are included.

READ MORE: What Is Cruise Travel Insurance? | What Is Winter Sports Cover? | What Is Gadget Cover?

6. You Understand What's Not Covered

Every travel insurance policy has terms, conditions and exclusions. A good policy is not necessarily one with the fewest exclusions; what matters is understanding whether any of them create an important gap in the protection you need.

Exclusions or restrictions can relate to pre-existing medical conditions, certain activities, particular belongings or circumstances that were already known when the policy was bought. Read the policy wording and check both the general exclusions and any restrictions applying to individual benefits. If you're unsure about something that could affect your trip, ask the insurer before you buy.

READ MORE: Common Travel Insurance Exclusions Explained

How Do I Know If a Travel Insurance Policy Is Right for Me?

Before choosing a policy, ask yourself:

• Does it provide the essential cover I need?
• Are my pre-existing medical conditions covered where required?
• Are the cover limits suitable for the cost and circumstances of my trip?
• Am I comfortable with the excesses?
• Are my planned activities and type of holiday covered?
• Do I understand the main exclusions and restrictions?

If the answer to these questions is yes, you'll have a clearer picture of whether the policy is suitable for you, rather than choosing based on price or the number of benefits alone.

Compare Travel Insurance for Your Needs

There isn't one travel insurance policy that is right for everyone. What makes a policy suitable will depend on your health, your holiday and the protection that matters to you.

Medical Travel Compared specialises in medical travel insurance, helping people with pre-existing medical conditions compare cover from a range of providers. When you get a quote, tell us about your trip and answer the relevant medical screening questions. You can then compare the available policies, benefits, cover limits and excesses to help you choose cover for your circumstances.