Travel Insurance when to get?

andrew22

We tend to go on holiday 3 times a year, 2 in this country & 1 abroad, and every year i have the same argument with the wife. I say we should have insurance for all the holidays but she says we only need it for the main holiday abroad and have that dated from the day it starts.
Who is right?

Quentin

Sounds like an annual policy would be your best bet.

All your hols should be covered by insurance from the moment you book them

Reardoa

Multitrip cover is often cheaper than single trip anyway so Id suggest covering them all once the first is booked. Just check the policy covers the area you are going to if its long haul.

andrew22

So we should have multi trip to cover holidays in this country as well?

lisyloo

andrew22 wrote: »

So we should have multi trip to cover holidays in this country as well?

Yes.
You won't need it for medical cover as you have NHS, but wouldn't you want to claim if you had to cancel due to a funeral or couldn't go because you broke your leg?

Just an example but there are a lot of other things to be covered for except medical care.
If you want to know what it covers then check the policy, but cancellation is one.

You need it in place when you BOOK.
You could (for example) break your leg between booking and going, so the risk starts from the point you book.

Reardoa

Its mainly the cancellation aspect Andrew22. If you have paid a lot of money for a week or 2 and you aren't able to go through medical reasons or a family death for example then you may well lose your money.
As I said its multi-trip is generally cheaper anyway so why not just cover them all.

lisyloo

Your luggage/possesions might also be covered.
You might want to check with your home insurance to check you don't get doubly insured for this.
Some insurers let you deselect this if you have goos home insurance (or don't have expensive personal items).

Being doubly insured can be a hassle as both insurers take ages to agree who pays for what so it's best avoided.

andrew22

Ok thanks, i thought that was the case. If i take out multi trip would that cover for ALL holidays even if we decide to take an extra break. I presume you don't have to specify dates when you take it out.

lisyloo

andrew22 wrote: »

Ok thanks, i thought that was the case. If i take out multi trip would that cover for ALL holidays even if we decide to take an extra break. I presume you don't have to specify dates when you take it out.

You can specify when you want the policy to start (for example you might already have an annual policy and want it to run straight afterwards).

If you havent' got insurance then you'd want it to start today as you could in theory break your leg this afternoon.

You do not have to specify dates of each holiday. Provided they are covered in length and territory wise (for example you can often buy with or without US as medical costs are higher there).

You should tell them about any medical conditions for travellers e.g. you are your wife) and anyone on whose health the holiday depends. For example if you both have elderly parents then you need to declare their health conditions as you are covered for cancellation in the event of their death or serious illness (but applies to any close family for whom you might cancel). There will be a definition in the policy of what "close family" means.

andrew22

Great thanks for all your help.

Andrew