Best annual travel insurance

Ian_iD

Hi, I know there is another travel insurance thread but there is a lot of discussion in the about all things insurance. I would just like a few recommendations for any companies that people on here have found particularly good value/low excess/helpful etc. please. There are loads around which all seem good but it's always good to get feedback

I will be taking a 4/5 shorts trips and possibly one larger one a year. Basic cover not doing anything extreme.

Thank you very much.

FH_Brit

Ian - My usual post ...........

PLEASE check the coverage - do not buy cheap to save money - it can be false economy if you sdon't get the coverage and protection from a good policy - compare coverage first then decide.

Apart from below - Others I would call "decent" are Tesco, RBS, Direct Line, and Aviva.

Happy travels


Don’t forget to buy DECENT insurance.

1. Do not buy from a Travel Agent.
2. Do not buy from foreign insurer (Incl. White Horse)
3. Do not buy on price alone - make sure you have adequate coverage.
4. Compare prices on EQUAL policies only.
5. If the price (premiums) do sound cheap - then probably so is the cover!
6. See who UNDERWRITES the policy - I advise you do not buy any Axa policy.
7. If you want it - make sure your policy covers Volcano, Cancellation (Charter AND scheduled airline), Delay, and costs (Hotel, food, alternate travel arrangements).

Finally my recommendation for a great insurer…….

Fortis Insurance. (Post Office is the easiest way to purchase)
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=62900708&mediaId=63300708

Why?........

They are excellent at after claims service and pay your claims quicker than most other insurers. (based on my own experiences as someone who bills 20,000+ claims a year)
They were THE FIRST UK insurer to announce they would be covering the volcanic ash claims. (and the few others followed!)
They are a little more expensive than most – but you REALLY DO get what you pay for. (Why skimp on insurance when the cheaper won’t pay out anyway?) £20-30 extra is a little price to pay for peace of mind and worry free travel when you have spent £6,000+ on a family holiday!

Ian_iD

Thank you!

daveyjp

Interesting you say avoid Axa and buy Post Office. I was speaking to a friend yesterday who was stranded in Cyprus for a week thanks to the ash cloud.

She and her grandson both have medical conditions and were covered by Axa, her daughter bought a standard policy from the PO for herself and her daughter.

Axa have already paid out in full for the costs incurred. PO won't entertain a claim.

dacouch

daveyjp wrote: »

Interesting you say avoid Axa and buy Post Office. I was speaking to a friend yesterday who was stranded in Cyprus for a week thanks to the ash cloud.

She and her grandson both have medical conditions and were covered by Axa, her daughter bought a standard policy from the PO for herself and her daughter.

Axa have already paid out in full for the costs incurred. PO won't entertain a claim.

Did the daughter declare the existing medical conditions to the Post Office ?

daveyjp

No issue over medical issues as the holidays were booked seperately, they ended up on dufferent flights back. PO won't cover ash cloud as it was a natural disaster, AXA did.

System

I've used benefits alliance for travel insurance for the last few years, thanks for the tips FH Brit on the others to consider

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

my recommendation for a great insurer…….

Fortis Insurance. (Post Office is the easiest way to purchase)
Why?.......
They were THE FIRST UK insurer to announce they would be covering the volcanic ash claims.

Beware this recommendation to buy a fortis policy regarding volcanic ash claims.

In fact they clearly say on the PO site that this is not covered.

Please note: Customers purchasing from the 15th April 2010 will not be covered for any claims arising as a result of this incident as this is now a known event.

Incapuppy

Quentin wrote: »

Beware this recommendation to buy a fortis policy regarding volcanic ash claims.

In fact they clearly say on the PO site that this is not covered.

I'd be very surprised if anyone is covering this now, I'd love to be proved wrong.

dickydonkin

See who UNDERWRITES the policy - I advise you do not buy any Axa policy

Why?

Is this a personal opinion based on your own experience(s) or just a blanket statement?


I have used 'direct travel' www.direct-travel.co.uk/ insurance for annual policies for many years now and I received a letter from them this week stating that they will be paying out for the recent 'ash' situation, even though I have not even submitted a claim which was pretty good service I believe.

Leigh-Anne_60

FH Brit is a debt collector in a Florida Hospital -Obviously at some point an AXA staff member annoyed/never paid up.... So he takes every opportunity to slate them to bits, whilst praising Fortis!!

Would take what he says with a pinch of salt