is travel insurance really travel insurance, or holiday insurance?

mazzers21

hi. i am new to the site.
i have a query about what annual travel insurance actually covers when you are in the uk.

i was just about to renew my annual european policy with tescobank when i checked about whether i was covered for "staycationing" - as i travel alot round the uk, staying with friends and family for holidays, taking trains and planes.

but it seems i am not covered for anything unless i have a proof of two nights pre-booked accommodation. and as i spend holidays with friends and family i don't ever have accommodation booked. i.e., if my luggage gets lost i am not covered because i dont have accomodation pre-booked.

is this normal in travel insurance policies? i thought my policy was a travel insurance policy which covered my travel, but the person at tescobank said it's really more a holiday insurance policy. am not v impressed, and wonder how to cover myself for future staycationing..

any thoughts/advice appreciated!

thanks
mazzers

rs65

Make sure you get your baggage and personal belongings covered (at least) UK wide on your home insurance.

If you are staying with family or friends, do you really need insurance for the UK? What other aspects of a travel/holiday policy do you need in the UK?

weejonnie

It is pretty well universal that annual travel insurance in the UK involves 2 (or more) pre-booked nights. However most aspects of a travel insurance policy may be covered.

Personal luggage: is covered under a home insurance policy providing there is forcible or violent entry into the building (contents temporally removed from the home). Valuables should be insured under the 'all-risks' section of your house insurance (which provides better cover anyway). Luggage may be covered under a car insurance if there is comprehensive cover, but the limits are quite low and may require the luggage to be stored out of sight

For less than 2 nights pre-booked accommodation the cancellation costs are going to be pretty minimal.

Medical conditions in the UK are covered under the NHS so there wouldn't be any need for cover there and if you are the active sort of person then an individual personal accident policy is pretty cheap (and will cover you for 12 months rather than 1 day)

Your personal liability is covered, usually under your house contents insurance policy.

Obviously you could take a single trip insurance policy for travel in the UK which may provide additional cover if you are concerned and the premiums will only be a couple of quid! (Some websites offering transportation offer these policies for those taking the transportation)