We know that Travel Insurance can feel complex especially if you’re older or have existing medical conditions. That’s why we’re here to help, and why we’ve put together this quick list to help you choose the right policy for you.
Remember it’s important to read your policy wording before you buy. Even if it is a bit tedious, it’s also the best way to make sure that your policy works in your favour. Insurers love to put the low prices and selling point front and centre bur the policy document is where you can really tell if a policy is worth it.
What should you ask to make sure you get the right Travel Insurance?
Finding the right Travel Insurance isn’t just about finding the right price. You need to make sure that your policy covers the location you’re travelling to, your planned activities, and that you understand your circumstances.
So, here are a few things for you to ask yourself when it comes time to purchase your Travel Insurance.
1. Do you need single or multi-trip?
A single-trip policy only covers one trip over your chosen dates. Once you purchase the policy I your cover starts immediately from the date of purchase. That means if you nee to cancel your trip for an accepted reason – outlined in your policy document- or if strikes, weather, or other issues prevent you from leaving you will be covered. This is great if you only plan to take one trip in the year, it gives you all the cover you need and naturally it’s a lower price than multi-trip cover.
When should you consider multi-trip though? Honestly, from the beginning. You might think that multi-trip only makes sense for frequent-flyers, but in reality it can start to pay off even if you only travel twice in the year. As an added bonus you can benefit from your insurance when you’re travelling domestically too. That means weekend city breaks, travelling for weddings or events can all be covered.
2. What dates are you travelling?
Peak travel periods can lead to higher premiums as they have an increased likelihood of disruptions, lost luggage and other risks. Travelling in the off peak can save you money on single-trip premiums, multi-trip cover avoids this issue by covering you for the whole year and allowing you to be more flexible on your dates.
If you decide to purchase a single trip policy then book as soon as you know the dates. This gives you the most protection by making sure that you are covered from any cancellations for an insured reason.
3. Which countries will you be visiting?
Our travel insurance works on three branches, European travel, Worldwide & Worldwide including USA and Canada. Where you are travelling will affect your premium. This can be due to increased risk factors or the costs associated with a payout at you destination – higher medical bills in the US for example.
If an insurer doesn’t have a clear option for your destination, then double check the policy to make sure that you’re covered.
4. Who is named on the policy?
If you’re traveling alone this isn’t too much of a worry, however if you are travelling with others, it may make more sense to bundle your insurance together as part of a couple’s plan. This means two people on one policy. Most commonly this is done between partners but there’s no reason it can’t be done with besties!
If you’re travelling with a family, then make sure kids are included on your policy. With Peopl. Travel Insurance, up to six kids are included free of charge, so there’s no reason not to make sure they’re covered too.
Include details of all people named (names, D.O.B., address and medical history).
If you are including others on one policy, make sure that you have accurate details for them. This includes their name, date of birth and any relevant medical history or conditions. If you’re not sure then it’s best to ask them, don’t let your insurer deny a claim because something wasn’t disclosed.
5. What activities will you be doing? And what potential activities might you do?
Your policy likely doesn’t cover all activities as standard. There are some activities that will require you notify your insurer, some that will carry an additional premium and some that are covered as part of an optional extra package.
For a full list of the activities covered by your policy you need to read through your policy document. Some common add-ons are water sports – we cover as standard- winter sports and golf cover, which helps cover green fees and equipment rental.
If you can’t find your planned activities in your policy document, then clarify with your insurer. If it’s not covered then it isn’t the right policy for you.
Make sure you disclose activities though. It might seem counter intuitive to inform your insurer of something that will raise your premium, but not doing so means you won’t be covered.
6. Do you have any medical conditions or are you currently going through medical treatment?
We touched on this already but it’s an important thing to consider. Having a heart condition or asthma, or a whole host of other conditions – or if you have any ongoing treatments – increases your risk factor and means higher premiums. That doesn’t mean keep quiet about it though, declare everything, or you could end up with a denied claim. Higher premiums mean you’re still covered.
7. Is the cover right for your age?
As you get older premiums tend to increase. Some insurers may not offer you a policy at all. But it’s important to try find insurance that represents you. You shouldn’t lose out on protection just for your age. We have no upper age limits on our single-trip cover. So don’t let age hold you back.
What is stadnard cover?
You may hear the term ‘as standard’ or ‘standard cover’ this means that the policy covers this without any additional add-ons or upgrades. At Peopl. our standard cover includes:
- Medical cover up to €5 million.
- Emergency Medical and associated expenses such as accommodation and repatriation.
- Cancellation and Curtailment Cover – Cancellation covers you until you begin your trip, at which point you Curtailment Cover kicks in to protect you from your holiday being cut short.
- Lost, stolen or damaged baggage including temporary replacement of lost travel documents.
- Disruptions and delays.
- Legal/personal liability cover (for example if you face any legal costs due to an incident whilst on holiday).
- Missed Departure.
- Water Sports Cover.
It’s worth mentioning that although this is all included as standard you tend to get much better value by opting into the higher tier of cover. At Peopl our cover is separated into Gold – standard – and Platinum -upgraded – if you were to choose a Platinum policy it would increase your medical cover from €5 million to €10 million and remove the €95 excess payment that is attached to the standard policy. This typically mean that if you need to make a claim you actually pay less with Platinum cover than Gold while getting more security.
In general skipping on optional extras that you think you might need is a false economy. You might save money on your premium but if you plan on going skiing and skip winter sports cover for a lower premium you won’t have the cover you need.
Covered Activities
We know that holidays are about fun and that you do some things on the spur of the moment. Understanding activities before you go can help you understand just what is covered and what isn’t. So, make sure you read through your policy document fully.
As a rule of thumb higher risk activities like rock climbing require you to notify your insurer about and will require an additional premium, and potentially a greater medical excess.
Don’t be caught out!
When you’re purchasing travel insurance make sure you read the insurers policy wording before you buy. That way you can make sure you have the right policy to fit your needs. Make sure you check your documentation after purchase too. If anything doesn’t seem right, then get in touch to correct it as soon as possible. Don’t let mistakes in the policy documentation stop you from making a successful claim.
If anything doesn’t seem clear to you, or if you just have questions on how something works, then reach out to us. We’re here to help you get the best policy for your needs.
