Travel Insurance for longer stays abroad

djk99

This year I intend to spend some time in the Canaries - up to 4 trips of perhaps 6 weeks at a time. I want to be as flexible as possible and book outbound trips without having to specify (and purchase) the return trip at the same time. I had intended to purchase annual travel cover with 45/60 days cover for each trip, but as I look through the policies' wording, it's not clear if I would be covered without purchasing a 'return' ticket. Can anyone enlighten me on this please, and if an annual policy is not suitable .....please suggest an alternative !! Thanks.

Tomby1

It all depends on the insurer - you need to read the policy wording carefully and if they are transparent, should give you the answer.

If they don't, you can always ring them up and inquire.

Here's an example of one that I've travelled with (so read the policy wording - which is why I quote it)

If you are an Annual Multi-Trip policyholder and you travel for longer than 31 days, 45 days or 62 days (depending on the level of cover you have purchased as outlined above) from the date you commence your trip from the United Kingdom, cover will cease on the 31st day, 45th day or 62nd day respectively, unless your trip cannot be completed for reasons beyond your control, for example, if you are unable to return back to the United Kingdom as planned due to illness or injury or if you are unable to return as planned due to unavoidable delays affecting your return flight or public transport.
Adults are entitled to travel independently. Children who are 17 years of age or under are only entitled to travel separately to the main insured person if they are travelling with a relative, guardian or person with a legal duty of care, such as a school teacher if on a school trip.
Cover is only provided in the United Kingdom if you stay in accommodation which you have paid for in advance of the date you depart on your trip or if you have paid for public transport or air fares in advance of the date of departure to enable you to reach your destination in the United Kingdom. All trips within the United Kingdom must be for at least two nights away from where you usually live.

One-Way Trip

This provides cover for a single one-way trip for up to 31 days. Cover ends 24 hours after you first leave immigration control in your final country of destination or at the end of the period of cover shown on your policy schedule, whichever is earlier

In other words, this insurer will cover you for a one-way trip (no return flights necessary) for up to 31 days at any one time, beyond that you must have a return flight booked.

If you are travelling that much in a year and potentially on a number of one-way trips with unknown return dates, you'd probably be best off looking at individual policies. I believe annual travel insurance is more aimed at those looking to take a number of short breaks away, business or pleasure.