Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is something you invest in in the hopes that you never actually need to use it. Because of this, many people ask themselves whether they really NEED travel insurance or whether they can get away with taking the risk of not getting cover. To answer that question…

Yes, you need travel insurance.

When we look at other areas of life, insurance is a given. Whether it’s car insurance, home insurance, or even pet insurance, it’s something you’ll invest in without a second thought because you don’t want to get caught out if something happens. However, there doesn’t seem to be this attitude when it comes to travel insurance.

Read on as we share why everyone needs travel insurance when they go away.

Why do you need travel insurance?

When it comes to why you need travel insurance, the numbers speak for themselves. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) revealed that in 2020, travel insurers paid nearly half a million claims totalling around £250 million. Of these claims, £63 million covered the cost of emergency medical treatment, whilst £148 million covered the costs of cancellations.

The last thing you want when something negatively affects your trip is to have to pay for the inconvenience. Being caught in a situation whilst not in an area you know and are comfortable in is scary enough already, without having to worry about how you’re going to pay for any financial repercussions. Although having travel insurance can’t stop bad things from happening, it can make them much more bearable.

Whatever type of traveller you are, there are myriad reasons why you need travel insurance.

For travellers who want peace of mind

If COVID has shown us one thing, it’s just how quickly change can happen and the importance of being prepared for every eventuality. When it comes to travel, so many factors come into play that can cause disruptions or delays to your trip. Every day, thousands of flights are cancelled globally for myriad reasons, from weather disruptions to lack of staff. Many people rely on public transport to get to the airport, and we all know how disrupting that can be. Plus, events out of your control might mean you cannot travel. Ensuring you’ve got proper protection can help you recuperate any money lost from these irritating events.

READ MORE: What To Do If Your Flight Gets Cancelled

There is also all manner of things that can happen whilst you’re away, from the airline misplacing your baggage to your passport getting lost and needing a replacement. When these things happen, it can be costly to deal with them in the timely manner you need to, and that’s where travel insurance comes in.

READ MORE: What To Do If You Lose Your Bags Whilst on Holiday

For travellers with pre-existing medical conditions

Those who live with a pre-existing medical condition will likely know how vital thinking ahead is already. From ensuring you take your medication on time to implementing positive lifestyle changes, people with pre-existing medical conditions must make an extra effort to live ‘normally’ every day. Going on holiday is no different.

In the UK, we are lucky to have the NHS and enjoy most of our healthcare for free; however, this isn’t the case in every country of the world. For those who have, or have had, a medical condition, being able to get help if you fall ill overseas can result in costly medical expenses.

You don’t need to worry, though, as we make it easier to compare holiday insurance with medical conditions cover. Whether getting a prescription replacement, emergency medical treatment or even repatriation to the UK, ensuring you’ve got cover that includes your existing medical conditions means you’ll take the extra financial load off your mind.

For travellers on unique-risk holidays

Certain types of holidays might come with their unique risks. When it comes to a holiday with unique risks, it’s essential to ensure your travel insurance covers those more unusual circumstances and you don’t find yourself caught short if something should happen.

One such example is a cruise holiday. Cruising is brilliant for those who want to see the world and lets you travel in style between destinations, only needing to unpack once. However, a cruise does come with its unique potential risks. With cruise holiday insurance, you’ll be protected for missed departures from ports, cabin confinement, changes of itinerary, unused excursions, cruise cancellations and more.

Another example of a holiday type with unique risks is a winter sports holiday. However experienced you are on the slopes, injuries can happen, and winter sports insurance ensures that you have a higher level of cover for injury protection, just in case.

For travellers who love their gadgets

When we travel, we’ll always want to enjoy the trip to the maximum, which often means taking our favourite gadgets with us. The right technology can elevate a holiday from a high-end camera to help you get crisp shots of stunning vistas to an e-reader that lets you get stuck into your favourite novels beside the pool. Unfortunately, most standard travel insurance policies don’t cover more expensive gadgets, which can cost thousands of pounds, so it’s essential to get gadget travel insurance to ensure that they are covered if they are stolen or broken. 

LEARN MORE: Do I Need Travel Insurance for a Holiday in the UK?

We hope this article has shown there are myriad reasons why investing in a travel insurance policy before you travel isn’t just something you could do, it’s something you should do. Are you looking for some more information on travel insurance? Our travel insurance guide page is filled with informative articles.