Any recommendations for independent traveler insurance for a trip to Canada

spud_work

For the past several years we have used an annual travel policy from Barclays travel insurance as it offered what we needed as independent travelers (i.e. we book absolutely everything ourselves directly with airlines, car rentals and about a dozen different accommodation providers).

Barclays have now changed their underwriters and the product we had is no longer available. We have a few weeks before we are without cover, so we are on the hunt for a comparable product.

Does anyone have any recommendations for things to look at for people who arrange everything themselves and also offer things like volcanic ash cover as we will be flying over Iceland on our way to Canada!

Shimrod

I've used Coverwise when I wanted affordable volcanic ash cover (you have to pay for an extra travel disruption option if I recall correctly). Have you looked at cover packaged with your bank account? I ignored it for many years, but the Barclays deal (which I have) is good value and provides comprehensive cover. For us, it was half the price of a single trip deal for 3 weeks to Canada earlier this year (we needed cover for pre-existing conditions).

EssexExile

What has how you book the holiday got to do with travel insurance?

spud_work

Shimrod wrote: »

I've used Coverwise when I wanted affordable volcanic ash cover (you have to pay for an extra travel disruption option if I recall correctly). Have you looked at cover packaged with your bank account? I ignored it for many years, but the Barclays deal (which I have) is good value and provides comprehensive cover. For us, it was half the price of a single trip deal for 3 weeks to Canada earlier this year (we needed cover for pre-existing conditions).

Thank you for your suggestion, I will check Coverwise out. Our bank (Santander) doesn't offer any packages that include travel insurance, so that isn't an option for us.

spud_work

EssexExile wrote: »

What has how you book the holiday got to do with travel insurance?

As you book everything yourself you can't rely on the level of protection that you would with a package deal. For example, independent traveller insurance is useful if you are planning your own trip or part of it, since you may not be covered under travel industry protection schemes for insolvencies (bankruptcy) and cancellations. It also covers you for costs that you are contracted to pay if you need to cut short your trip. Most off the shelf policies don't cover in-direct losses either, so independent traveller insurance is essential for people like me that do it all themselves and don't want to leave things to chance.

EssexExile

We've always booked everything independently & haven't had any problems. Last years we got £6000 back from Columbus Direct that covered everything that wasn't refundable.

spud_work

EssexExile wrote: »

We've always booked everything independently & haven't had any problems. Last years we got £6000 back from Columbus Direct that covered everything that wasn't refundable.

There is some overlap between standard policies and ones which are tailored to the independent traveller. For example, if you had to cancel for sickness, redundancy etc. it wouldn't make much difference.

However, there are a few circumstances where a standard policy might not give you the protection that you need if you have arranged everything yourself.

Of course, all insurance is a form of gambling, so it all comes down to the level of risk that you are happy with

leylandsunaddict

spud_work

A lot of people seem to think that if they book independently and they can't travel because of airspace closure (eg volcanic ash), strike etc. that a standard policy without consequential loss cover will repay everything, and as we know (along with the thousands of people that lost a lot of money from the last Volcanic ash problem), it won't. Obviously, as you say, it's not a problem for medical cancellation, redundancy, jury service etc.

Have a look at Sainsburys. They have a Travel Disruption Section that covers for airport/airspace closure, accommodation becoming uninhabitable because of hurricane, fire, flood etc. Airline insolvency, accommodation provider insolvency, strike leading to UK flight cancellation. It also covers for any irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation costs, and other prepaid charges eg car hire, airport parking etc.

EssexExile

I suppose it's an "attitude to insurance" thing. I tend only to insure things that I can't easily afford to replace or lose, or if the law says I have too. I'd happily travel without insurance for everything except medical expenses. Although it was nice to get the money back last year!

spud_work

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

spud_work

A lot of people seem to think that if they book independently and they can't travel because of airspace closure (eg volcanic ash), strike etc. that a standard policy without consequential loss cover will repay everything, and as we know (along with the thousands of people that lost a lot of money from the last Volcanic ash problem), it won't. Obviously, as you say, it's not a problem for medical cancellation, redundancy, jury service etc.

Have a look at Sainsburys. They have a Travel Disruption Section that covers for airport/airspace closure, accommodation becoming uninhabitable because of hurricane, fire, flood etc. Airline insolvency, accommodation provider insolvency, strike leading to UK flight cancellation. It also covers for any irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation costs, and other prepaid charges eg car hire, airport parking etc.

Thank you, after some time checking out Sainsbury's policy details, they look to be the best match for our requirements and I've taken out an annual policy from the date our current one expires.