Travel insurance explained: what it covers, pre-existing conditions and claims

What a typical policy covers

• Emergency medical expenses: treatment, hospital stays and medicines abroad. This is the most important part.
• Medical repatriation: getting you home, or to a suitable hospital, when you are seriously ill or injured, sometimes by air ambulance.
• Cancellation and curtailment: reimbursing non-refundable costs if you have to cancel before you go, or cut the trip short, for reasons listed in the policy.
• Delays and missed departures: limited compensation for long delays, or extra costs if you miss a connection for a covered reason.
• Baggage and personal belongings: loss, theft or damage, usually with single-item limits.
• Personal liability: if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property.
• Legal expenses, on some policies.

Medical cover versus cancellation cover

• Medical cover protects you from potentially enormous bills. In some countries a few days in hospital can cost a life-changing amount. Choose a high limit, especially for destinations with expensive private healthcare.
• Cancellation cover protects the money you have already paid. It only pays out for reasons the policy lists, typically illness, injury or bereavement, jury service, or serious damage to your home. Simply changing your mind is not covered.

Pre-existing medical conditions

• You must declare conditions the policy asks about, often including anything you have been treated for, prescribed medication for or are awaiting tests on within a set period.
• Undeclared conditions can invalidate a related claim, or the whole policy.
• Some insurers cover common conditions at no extra cost; others charge more or exclude them. Specialist insurers exist for more serious conditions.
• Answer the screening questions carefully and honestly, and keep a record of what you declared.

Adventure activities

• skiing and snowboarding, especially off-piste;
• scuba diving, and the maximum depth;
• trekking above a certain altitude;
• riding motorbikes or scooters, which commonly requires a valid licence and a helmet.

Read these before buying

• The excess: the amount you pay on each claim.
• Single-item limits for phones, cameras and laptops.
• Trip length limits on annual multi-trip policies.
• Geographic area: worldwide policies may cost more if they include the US and Canada.
• Exclusions for travel against your government's official advice.
• Whether cancellation for strikes or airline failure is included.

How to claim

1. In a medical emergency, call the insurer's emergency assistance line as soon as you can, before major treatment where possible. They can guarantee payment to hospitals and arrange repatriation.
2. Report theft to the police and get a written report, usually within a set time.
3. Report lost or damaged bags to the airline before you leave the airport, and get a reference.
4. Keep everything: receipts, medical reports, booking confirmations, correspondence about delays.
5. Submit the claim promptly, as policies set deadlines.
6. If a claim is refused and you disagree, use the insurer's complaints process, then an independent ombudsman or dispute service where your country has one.