MSE Poll: Do you risk going on holiday without travel insurance?

MSE_Scarlet

Poll started 7 June 2023

For years we've emphasised the importance of getting travel insurance ASAB – As Soon As you've Booked – so you're covered if you need to cancel before you go. That message still stands (see our Cheap Travel Insurance guide for more help). With the summer holidays approaching, whether you're going abroad or staying in the UK, we want to know if you risk going without travel insurance?

Click here to vote in the poll.

Did you vote? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below.
If you haven't already, join the forum to reply.

graham128

No we are not going anywhere this summer. We went away for a week in the spring, and we have booked a week away in the autumn. Both in the UK, both modestly priced, we take the risk and save the insurance premium. The one time we lost out was when we had booked a week away at the end of March 2020 - we had to pull out at the last moment, as the pandemic was ramping up; but as the lockdown did not start until during the week we were due to be away, the holiday firm declined to give any refund.

Keithy13

We visit family in Thailand for 3 to 4 months at a time. UK travel insurance is prohibitively expensive as we are over state pension age and OH has a number of (well managed) health issues. However during covid restrictions when cover was mandatory we obtained cover from the Thai branch of a well known international insurer at around 10% of the cost from the UK branch. (No cover for cancellation). More recently (March this year) bought cover from Emirates airline when booking flights also considerably less than quotes from UK insurers.

SaverRate

Keithy13 said:

We visit family in Thailand for 3 to 4 months at a time. UK travel insurance is prohibitively expensive as we are over state pension age and OH has a number of (well managed) health issues. However during covid restrictions when cover was mandatory we obtained cover from the Thai branch of a well known international insurer at around 10% of the cost from the UK branch. (No cover for cancellation). More recently (March this year) bought cover from Emirates airline when booking flights also considerably less than quotes from UK insurers.

Have you looked at a packaged bank account with travel insurance? Both sets of my grandparents are with Nationwide because it works out significantly cheaper than standlone travel insurance products. 

stambridge

We have a holiday booked for September 2024. It is based on a boat in the Hebrides and is so popular we had to book over a year in advance. Trouble is we cannot get insurance cover yet as it is too far away. We want an annual policy so would have to get one to start beginning of October this year to cover next September but cannot get any company to offer a policy more that 90 days in the future so have to wait till early July before we can get it insured. 

Simonne15

Travel insurance does seem to have been 'streamlined' since Covid lockdowns. The companies all ask precisely the same questions as each other which didn't happen before e.g. their first question is your outward and return dates.  The 90 day restriction is obviously post Brexit but only applies to the EU and the Shengen Agreement.
 
I would urge travellers to the EU especially if health is likely to be an issue, to use their EHIC/GHIC in addition to having private insurance AND back that up by registering with the local State health service. You are allowed up to 3 months registration which can be taken in separate chunks e.g. one month at a time then re-register the next time you go for a further month or two. Take your list of current medications and history of major surgery etc like heart, hip replacement etc. and if you return its your responsibility to go and update any changes.
That way if you should have an emergency the state ambulance medics have instant access via your computer record of what they are dealing with. In Spain we have found this a fantastic service. A private medical ambulance wouldn't have such details and would have to contact your company etc. which could be precious time and possibly crucial. 

Keithy13

SaverRate said:

Keithy13 said:

We visit family in Thailand for 3 to 4 months at a time. UK travel insurance is prohibitively expensive as we are over state pension age and OH has a number of (well managed) health issues. However during covid restrictions when cover was mandatory we obtained cover from the Thai branch of a well known international insurer at around 10% of the cost from the UK branch. (No cover for cancellation). More recently (March this year) bought cover from Emirates airline when booking flights also considerably less than quotes from UK insurers.

Have you looked at a packaged bank account with travel insurance? Both sets of my grandparents are with Nationwide because it works out significantly cheaper than standlone travel insurance products. 

Yes but 2 reasons why they are not suitable, OH is over 70 so not eligible and trips are restricted to 30 days, but thanks for the information.

BobbinAlong

Never bother if staying in UK since have normal camper van insurance including contents and use NHS but always get it if going abroad. Breakdown cover is always in place and vehicle insurer's breakdown service includes European cover for holidays so no extra costs there. Also have GHIC for Europe.
Insurance for over 70s is a pain though.

bookworm1363

My advice: Never ever take the chance of not having travel insurance.   
I used to work in the assistance business, so I could tell you all the horror stories that would make you cringe.

I was the one who would preach to every friend or acquaintance: "Don't forget your EHIC! Mske sure you have travel insurance! " ad nauseam.  

Well, you know what? It's easy to get complacent, even when you yourself know the risks.  Oh yes.

4 1/2 years ago, in Tenerife, I suffered an sortic dissection type A; that condition carries an enormous chance of being fatal if not detected and operated on urgently.  
Whilst the ambulances were driving round the island, trying to find a hospital with a working CT machine, my husband realised that we had forgotten our EHICs at home. :-o 
So, when we got to the 1st hospital  that could check me, the first thing they did is ask for a £1000 payment on our credit card. Insurance?Nope, not interested , pay first, argue with your insurance later!. 
The 2nd hospital, which was a state one , and therefore EU, was thankfully able to treat me , but the admini people kept on hounding my husband for our EHIC, and he was calling them in Newcastle to try to get a replacement card, it was a complete nightmare.
So: aortic dissection, 12 hours operation to repair, then got a stroke, which left me in an assisted coma, no idea how much damage had been sustained during the stroke.  Then, as if that wasn't enough, multi-infections set in,pneumonia, etc... All that in a country where my family didn't understsnd the language, ans the insurance were going on about the costs increasing (daily lodging for my daughter, who had flown out to be with me while I was critical)... 
Eventually, once I  was deemed stabilised enough to return to the UK, my travel insurance picked up the tab for an air ambulance and crew to fly me and my daughter back to the UK, in the embrace of my regular NHS hopsital for a few more weeks and months in ICU etc... 

All this looooong story was to reinforce the point: DO not travel abroad without travel insurance. It's not an additional luxury, it is a necessity!!!

miller

I haven't travelled abroad for a long time and wouldn't bother with insurance for the UK, but I do arrange policies for others. I've read many horror stories in the newspapers of insurers trying to wriggle out of claims and I think that would make me at least consider not bothering. They're undermining confidence in their own products. For example, this is currently stated on the Admiral Travel Insurance portal after you log in:

"We are aware that many flights have been delayed or cancelled as a result of airline staff sickness. This event is not covered by our Travel Insurance policies. You should contact the airline, your travel agent or accommodation provider to see if you are entitled to a refund from them."

I don't know of many accommodation providers that will provide a refund because you can't get there, I thought that was the point of insurance.

Suzeedw1

I have given up trying to get travel insurance for a 6 day holiday to Spain.  I have called a number of companies and finally BIBA to try and find a company that will exclude Cancer cover. They found one but, although I’m terminal, I don’t have a specific time prognosis.  It could be 4 years or less than one depending on when the tablets stop working.  I know so many people in the same position.  When will a company wake up and offer insurance that will exclude pre existing health conditions.  They would have quite a few customers!!!
As it is I have GHIC cover and I intend to take cabin luggage.  I don’t feel comfy travelling without insurance but am not prepared to pay a minimum of £1200 for something that doesn’t cover me for what I want I.e. everything but Cancer cover.