Annual policies last for 12 months, covering all of the trips you plan to take in that time. This means you don't have to buy a new travel insurance policy every time you go away. You'll normally need to 'activate' your insurance policy before each trip - that means speaking to your insurer and letting them know your travel plans.
There might be certain exclusions that apply to different destinations. For example, if there's war or civil unrest in a country. Make sure you read your policy documents before each trip to make sure you know what you're covered for - that's one of our golden rules at Confused.com.
If you're travelling somewhere that the government advises against, your existing policy or any new policies you buy probably won't cover you.
Most policies cover trips lasting up to 31 days, but it's possible to find cover for trips lasting longer. In some cases, you might need to add a trip extension for an extra cost.
If you need to claim on your insurance, you can. You'll also still have cover for the rest of your policy term.
When you're getting quotes for multi-trip insurance, you'll need to state where you want your policy to cover. You have a few options:
There might be a few disadvantages of annual cover depending on your circumstances. Let's take a look at them:
"If you've got a few holidays planned for the year, an annual travel policy is a great way to make sure you're covered. This can save you time and hassle as opposed to buying individual policies, and potentially help save you money.
"It also means you only need to keep track of one set of policy documents. With annual travel insurance, you could even book a last minute trip and be covered. But it's always worth comparing prices to make sure it's the right option for you."
**eSIM comes with pre-funded credit and the amount of data received in exchange, will vary based on the specific country you select. Compatible devices only. T&C's apply.
Exactly what's covered varies by provider. Some offer different levels of cover, so you can choose a policy that's best suited to your needs and budget. Higher levels of cover generally come at a higher cost, so it's important to check policy details before you buy travel insurance.
Typically, annual holiday insurance covers:
Standard travel insurance doesn't cover every situation. In some cases, you might want to consider policy add-ons. These generally cost more, but offer extra cover. Here's a look at the optional extras you can choose when getting quotes:
With roaming charges making an unwelcome return, eSIMs are a convenient option when travelling. eSIMs are non-physical and are embedded into most newer smartphones; meaning you won’t have to put anything physical into your device, it should already be there.
Simply buy your travel insurance, claim your free eSIM, and install it onto your device at the tap of a button. Your eSIM with 2GB of roaming data will kick in on a local mobile network when you get to your destination.
Most insurers offer cover for customers with pre-existing medical conditions. But, policies might be more expensive. This is because medical conditions increase your chances of needing medical treatment while abroad. Pre-existing medical conditions can include:
You should declare any medical conditions you have when getting travel insurance quotes. If you don't, any medical treatment you need because of your condition during your trip won't be covered by your insurance.
If you have multiple conditions, or more serious conditions, you might have more limited choice. If you can't find suitable cover, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a directory of insurers who offer cover for customers with pre-existing medical conditions. You can find this directory on the MoneyHelper website. You can also call MaPS for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and its replacement the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), aren't a substitute for travel insurance. They provide you with access to state-level healthcare in certain European countries at the same cost of someone living there. This means if you're travelling to a country where citizens pay for healthcare, you're also expected to pay. Travel insurance can help cover these costs.
Travel insurance also covers more scenarios. For example, if you lose luggage, your flights are delayed, or you need emergency medical treatment while travelling outside the EU, travel insurance covers you. But an EHIC or GHIC can't help you in these situations.
It's important to have a valid EHIC or GHIC though. Many providers require them to be used alongside travel insurance when receiving emergency medical treatment.
Yes, an annual policy would normally include travel insurance for UK holidays. However, some policies have requirements for the trip, like:
If you're planning a UK trip and you want to make sure it's covered, check the policy details before buying your insurance.
Most providers have a limit of 31 days per trip, however it's possible to find policies that allow trips up to 45, 60 or 90 days.
Some providers impose upper age limits though, so you might find that the length of trip you're covered for reduces as you get older.
To find out how long you're covered for, check your policy details.
Yes, you can normally travel separately with a joint annual travel insurance policy. So, if one of you is going away for a weekend, or wants to visit friends or family abroad, you should still be covered.
You should always check your policy documents to make sure you're covered.
This will depend on your provider. In some cases, your insurer might cover this under the end supplier failure section of your policy, but this isn't a guarantee.
You should look out for ATOL protection when you book your trip, as this covers situations where your travel provider goes out of business.
You should check your policy documents to see whether there's a limit on the number of trips you can take on a multi-trip policy. Some providers won't set a limit, but others might.
It's always a good idea to buy your travel insurance as soon as you've booked a trip. This way, you're covered for anything unexpected that might impact your travel in the lead-up. For example, if you fall ill or a family bereavement means you can no longer travel. But, you can buy travel insurance right up until you leave for your trip, so don't worry if you've forgotten to buy it sooner. There are last minute travel insurance policies available.
An excess is the amount you pay towards any claims you make on your insurance. There are normally 2 sides to this: the compulsory excess and the voluntary excess.
A compulsory excess is set by your insurer, and the amount is taken out of the payouts from any successful claims. You set your voluntary excess, and the amount will also be taken out of any payouts. Typically, the higher your excess, the less your insurance costs. But, you should set your excess at a level you could afford to pay.
It's possible to get no excess travel insurance, but this tends to cost more upfront. You might also still be expected to pay an excess on certain sections of your policy. So it's worth weighing up the pros and cons to see if this is the best choice for you.
This depends on your circumstances. Often, it's more cost-effective to buy a multi-trip policy than several single-trip policies. But it could work out less cost-effective if:
The easiest way to see whether multi-trip insurance is the cheaper option is to compare quotes. But, it's important to read the policy documents of any insurance you buy to make sure it's suitable for you.
Under UK law, you're entitled to cancel your insurance within 14 days of purchase. This is known as a 'cooling off' period. During this time, you're entitled to a full refund as long as you haven't claimed on your policy or been on any trips.
After this period, you won't be entitled to a refund if you cancel your policy.
As part of travel insurance, you can get medical cover for certain pre-existing conditions. Our guide tells you what cover is available and the conditions that could be covered.
If you're looking to plan your next camping holiday with the family, a specific camping insurance policy could cover your gear and unexpected events during your trip.
Travelling after a stroke can seem like a lot, but you can get specialised cover tailored for stroke survivors. We talk you through what's covered and what information you'll need to provide.
What's scheduled airline failure? And how could travel insurance help you with it? Find out with our in-depth guide.
Get expert info on the ins and outs of travel insurance, and what it could do for you.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) help evaluate global travel risks. If you ignore their advice, it can impact your travel insurance, safety and travel plans. Read our guide to learn more.
Means you can get one policy that covers everyone, rather than buying individual policies.
Is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period.
Page last reviewed: 16 October 2024
Reviewed by: Alvaro Iturmendi
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