Get holiday insurance ASAB or wait?

Frankie56

I have booked to go to Australia in 3 weeks. Martin always says get insurance ASAB, but I was reading that booking immediately means higher fees to cover from now until the flight, as well as the holiday.

I have paid a bit extra to the airline so that I can change flights if necessary for free and cancel to get a full refund right up until the first flight, so should I wait until a day or so before to get insurance? Or is it not worth the risk?

Humphreyshalfmoon

The insurance will not cost a penny extra if you buy it now and paying "a bit extra" does not always guarantee an immediate refund, no matter what you think, so don't wait another day

eskbanker

I was reading that booking immediately means higher fees to cover from now until the flight, as well as the holiday

Where did you read this?

mazjohn108

Holiday insurance also covers medical incidents which may occur before you are due to travel.

NoodleDoodleMan

As a general rule, have insurance in place as soon as is practically possible after booking a holiday - you could suffer an accident (God forbid) between making the booking and day of flight - if cover starts on the latter date you are not insured.

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6673508/get-holiday-insurance-asab-or-wait

You could walk down the road this afternoon and be hit by a bus, meaning you cant go. Do you want to be covered for that or not?

heatherw_01

No idea where you read about higher fees for booking early? This isn't true.

You book asap so you get cover.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6673508/get-holiday-insurance-asab-or-wait

If you needed to cancel during those three weeks, are there any other costs (beyond air fares) that you'd still be on liable for, e.g. accommodation?

Frankie56

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82043537#Comment_82043537

Thanks. It didn't say how long I would wait for the refund. If it was a while, I wouldn't be able to rebook.

Frankie56

I have looked everywhere but can't find it again. If I find it, I'll post it. It made sense that an insurance company would charge more for longer cover.

Woodstok2000

If all your arrangements (flights, accommodation, trips, car hire etc) are fully refundable with no exclusions or fees, then you don't need insurance before you travel unless you require cover in the event of a supplier going bust.

As others have said however, there's no cost impact here so you would still be better off getting cover now.