Travel Insurance FAQs
Answering your travel and holiday insurance questions so you have peace of mind.
- Doesn't my own household insurance policy offer enough protection for my possessions and cash?
- What is a policy excess?
- Why take out an annual policy?
- What happens if I need help while on holiday?
- What happens if my baggage is lost?
- Will I be insured for business trips?
- Will my car be insured if I take it abroad?
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Doesn't my own household insurance policy offer enough protection for my possessions and cash?
You need to check that the cover your household policy offers you is adequate, and if you are satisfied, you could decide not to take out the personal possessions and personal money cover. This will allow you discounts on many travel policies.
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What is a policy excess?
An excess is the first amount you will have to pay in the event of making a claim. For example if your claims settlement figure is £700 and the excess £50 your payment would be £650.
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Why take out an annual policy?
If you are intending to travel more than once a year, it may be more cost effective to take out an annual policy, which covers you for any number of journeys for the whole year. This also saves you the hassle of arranging cover each time you travel.
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What happens if I need help while on holiday?
Most travel insurance policies include a 24-hour emergency service and telephone advice line. Take with you a copy of the policy and a note of the telephone number; many insurers issue a wallet card with contact details.
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What happens if my baggage is lost?
Obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airport authorities straightaway, and pass this with all other appropriate documents to validate your claim upon your return to the UK. An amount can be claimed if your baggage is mislaid beyond a certain period (usually 12 hours) for you to obtain replacement essential toiletries and clothing.
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Will I be insured for business trips?
If you are travelling on business, check what cover your employer is offering. Many employers arrange for insurance cover equivalent to the level of a standard travel insurance policy whilst also being responsible for insuring any of their own equipment such as laptop computers, which you need to take with you. If your employer does not provide any cover you should ensure you have a policy of your own that provides the appropriate cover. Many standard policies will include business trips, so long as they don't involve hazardous or manual work.
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Will my car be insured if I take it abroad?
If you are travelling outside the UK with your own car it is important to check what cover your motor insurance covers. UK policies will usually only cover you for the minimum third party level whilst abroad, and so you may wish to consider extending this protection.
