Travel insurance

20122013

There was a post recently but I cannot find it. 

I have to travel abroad and currently have a travel insurance which expires on 2/09/25 which i will be when I am already abroad. 

Should  I buy a new travel insurance and start on the day I travel? or start it on the 02/09/25? or just extend the current one? 

I don't think the current insurance is any good I only chose them as I needed a six month cover, but this time around I only need around 6 -8 weeks.

NoodleDoodleMan

Best to have insurance in place before travelling to include the whole date range you are abroad, continuous cover is essential. 

Trying to renew part way through a trip from outwith the UK sounds challenging.

Call you providers and explain your scenario - they'll want to keep your business and will advise best course of action.

 

MyRealNameToo

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Best to have insurance in place before travelling to include the whole date range you are abroad, continuous cover is essential. 

Trying to renew part way through a trip from outwith the UK sounds challenging.

Call you providers and explain your scenario - they'll want to keep your business and will advise best course of action.

Renewing an existing policy is typically seen as continuous cover but it does have to be a renewal, you can't decline the renewal and buy a new back to back policy even if its with the same provider. That said it's always worth checking with your own provider as there are outliers. 

Not renewing is typically harder than renewing, most are set to auto-renewal so do nothing and it happens as long as there are funds in your account to pay for it. 

If the OP doesnt like their current product for some reason then maybe they could start a new annual policy before the existing one expires but this may create some delay in claims processing . 

NoodleDoodleMan

"If the OP doesnt like their current product for some reason then maybe they could start a new annual policy before the existing one expires but this may create some delay in claims processing ."

Isn't that liable to cause an issue if policies overlap and the OP has to make a claim ?

I'm not sure on the mechanics of such a scenario - however any claim I might make on my insurance asks if any other travel policy is in effect - obviously to prevent somebody trying to claim off both.

20122013

I will buy a new travel insurance. before i travel- as it will be less than 3months so there are more options.

MyRealNameToo

NoodleDoodleMan said:

"If the OP doesnt like their current product for some reason then maybe they could start a new annual policy before the existing one expires but this may create some delay in claims processing ."

Isn't that liable to cause an issue if policies overlap and the OP has to make a claim ?

I'm not sure on the mechanics of such a scenario - however any claim I might make on my insurance asks if any other travel policy is in effect - obviously to prevent somebody trying to claim off both.

Thats the mentioned delays in claims. Assuming the OP is honest and tells the insurer of the existence of the other the two insurers will discuss it amongst themselves and decide how the claim should be shared between them, if indeed both policies respond. 

Most often its not two travel policies, though it is more common these days with so many banking products etc coming with built in travel, but overlap between home insurance and travel if you are claiming for a stolen phone whilst on holiday or a lost suitcase is common so insurers are well versed in asking who your home insurance is and then checking with them as to if their policy would cover a phone stolen overseas or whatever it is. 

It won't result in an overall decline but can add delay in settlement whilst both insurers review each other's terms and agree how it's split. Sometime it's more straight forward and they can quickly agree that one will manage the claim and the split can be dealt with at a later date and thus not delay the claim excessively for the customer. 

20122013

I am buying a separate travel insurance (not via existing products)
If it will make things less complicated, I will cancel the existing  policy which I have already paid in full 

And buy a brand new one. 

I will check the wordings and check it covers what I may need, cancel flights, delays (by the airline?)

I will buy  my air ticket direct from airline and leave an open return

MyRealNameToo

20122013 said:

I am buying a separate travel insurance (not via existing products)
If it will make things less complicated, I will cancel the existing  policy which I have already paid in full 

And buy a brand new one. 

I will check the wordings and check it covers what I may need, cancel flights, delays (by the airline?)

I will buy  my air ticket direct from airline and leave an open return

As long as this is just for you... for your family that are already traveling they won't be covered by a newly bought annual policy until they return to the UK. For them and this trip they will need to buy specialist insurance that is eligible for those already mid trip. 

20122013

MyRealNameToo said:

As long as this is just for you... for your family that are already traveling they won't be covered by a newly bought annual policy until they return to the UK. For them and this trip they will need to buy specialist insurance that is eligible for those already mid trip. 

It will just myself - that's great to know. 

sheramber

t this time around I only need around 6 -8 weeks 

You mention 6-8 weeks. 

You need to check that you are covered for that length of time.  

Policies have a limit of how long a trip they cover. 

20122013

sheramber said:

You need to check that you are covered for that length of time.  

Policies have a limit of how long a trip they cover. 

A lot of things to check - appreciate the reminder