Travel insurance runs out while away

MankyVegSoup

I've messed up and my annual travel insurance policy expires the day before I come back from my current trip.

They didn't send me a renewal email so I chased them. I thought I'd simply renew the current policy, but no - they need me to go through a new quote (which isn't working) and apparently I can't take out a new policy while away. This is why I hate insurance companies.

Are there any options for short term insurance you can take out while abroad? It's really only medical cover I need. I can take the hit on delays/cancellations but not a massive medical bill if I have an accident on the way to the airport. I'm in the Canary Islands so Europe and I do have a GHIC.

DullGreyGuy

Most have a waiting period of a few days for claims for sickness, to stop someone uninsured falling sick then buying the insurance, so how close are you to your return date?

World Nomads and Battleface are two of the better known companies (probably unknown before covid but they became better known then because they cover travel against government advice)

MankyVegSoup

Thanks. I've got a week before I go back, so hopefully OK if I can sort something out tomorrow.

Will check out your suggestions.

DullGreyGuy

MankyVegSoup said:

Will check out your suggestions.

I've used the former but didnt need to make a claim, haven't used the later. Just suggesting companies rather than recommending them. A google for travel insurance whilst already travelling will inevitably bring them up and others. 

Both the above have a UK based branch but there are others that dont. That isnt to say regulation on insurance in the US or Singapore isnt good but does mean you cannot use the Financial Ombudsman or the FSCS if things go wrong. 

MankyVegSoup

Done a bit of Googling. My medical conditions are causing some issues - old age! But think I might have found something. Will do some phoning around tomorrow.

Thanks for your help

MankyVegSoup

Update in case anyone has the same issue.

In the end I decided it was easier (and cheaper) to move my flight and come home a day early. The time I'd lose would probably have been spent on the phone to insurance companies (which wouldn't help my blood pressure). And one day off a 3 week trip is annoying but not disastrous. 

So if you have annual cover, make sure it doesn't run out while you are away. Or at least sort out before you go.