Travel Insurance during transit

Pooh_Bear

I'm just about to buy a single trip travel insurance.

1. Am I covered while flying/sailing to my destination, should I fall ill, have an accident or have items stolen during a flight or ferry journey?

2. If I change flights and have to wait for a few hours in an airport, how does that work? Do I need to include the country where I transit  on the travel insurance?

I'm not referring to a stop over where I leave the airport but where I remain at the airport for just a few hours waiting for the next leg of the journey.

DullGreyGuy

Ultimately check with the insurer in question but typically you are covered for the "whilst travelling" aspects once you have left for the trip (noting the limitations whilst you are still in the UK). So yes, you'd be covered were you to be taken ill on the plane. 

For most insurers, as long as you are staying airside/not leaving the airport complex then it doesn't count as a country your visiting, legally you haven't entered the country (ignoring places like the US where you cannot transit airside). Its no different to if you were on a direct flight from LHR to JNB but were taken seriously ill mid flight, the plane may be diverted to an intermediary airport so that you can receive medical attention. 

Mark_d

You should be covered for the entire journey to and from your final destination.  If you were to clear immigration in a transit country then that might be a different issue, but it sounds like you'd stay in the departure lounge so should be fine.  But call your insurer if you have any doubts.