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Frequently Asked Question's

Travel Insurance Questions

A) Important Contact Information FAQ's

A1) Who is the assistance company?

A2) Who do I contact to make a claim?

A3) Who do I contact in the event of an emergency abroad?

B) Medical FAQ's

B1) Will the insurance still be valid if I enter 'No' on the travel eligibility page, should I not wish to have my pre-existing medical condition covered?

B2) If I have a pre-existing medical condition, can I travel abroad?

B3) What happens if I have to go to hospital, just for the day?

B4) What is the EHIC & GHIC?

B5) Do I need to have vaccinations?

C) Covid-19 FAQ's

C1) Am I covered for Covid-19

C2) My trip has been moved to a date in the future, can I change the dates on my policy?

C3) Am I still insured if I travel against the advice of the FCDO?

C4) I'm abroad and my flight home has been cancelled by the airline due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. What should I do?

C5) I am due to pay the balance on my holiday shortly. My trip destination is currently an area where the FCDO are advising against all but essential travel. Will I be covered if I pay the balance and then I am unable to travel due to FCDO advice in the future?

C6) I'm abroad and have symptoms of Coronavirus/COVID19?

D) Personal Possession FAQ's

D1) I have bought a Winter Sports policy, does it cover my own or hired skis?

D2) What should I do if an item of my personal belongings is lost, stolen or damaged whilst I am abroad?

E) Policy FAQ's

E1) Can I buy your insurance whilst abroad?

E2) I live outside of the UK, can I still buy this insurance?

E3) Do I have to pay a policy Excess?

E4) Can I buy an Excess Waiver?

E5) How many people can be covered on one policy?

E6) Can I buy a policy for my child?

E7) Do we cover One-way trips?

E8) Do I have to notify you every time I travel on an annual multi trip policy?

E9) Am I covered if any of the suppliers I purchased my holiday through go bust?

E10) Am I covered in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack?

E11) Am I insured for working abroad?

F) Definitions FAQ's

F1) Do you class Uncles and Aunts as close relatives?

F2) Can my children travel independently on our family annual multi trip policy?

G) Activities FAQ's

G1) Will I be covered to scuba dive when abroad?

G2) What is the definition of Off-Piste skiing?

H) Booking & Customer Service FAQ's

H1) Can I cancel the policy if I decide it is not for me?

H2) What insurance documents should I take on holiday with me?

H3) Can I book a Travel insurance policy commencing today?

H4) Can you re-send my policy?

H5) My policy has incorrect personal details, can these be changed?

H6) What happens if I am unable to print my insurance documents?

H7) Do I need to register for the Medicare scheme if I'm travelling to Australia?

Travel Insurance Answers

Frequently asked questions about Single Trip, Extended Stay, Annual Multi-trip travel insurance to Europe, Australia and New Zealand and Worldwide

A) Important Contact Information FAQ's

A1) Who is the assistance company?

Please see the policy documents.

A2) Who do I contact to make a claim?

Please see the policy documents.

A3) Who do I contact in the event of an emergency abroad?

Please see the policy documents.

B) Medical FAQ's

B1) Will the insurance still be valid if I enter 'No' on the travel eligibility page, should I not wish to have my pre-existing medical condition covered?

Should you answer 'No' to any medical conditions, then it could render the policy as an invalid purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: Failure to accurately and fully declare all medical condition(s) for you, or anyone travelling with you will affect your cover and may result in your claim being declined.

B2) If I have a pre-existing medical condition, can I travel abroad?

Yes, provided all medical conditions have been declared in full and match up to your medical history.

Or pay an additional premium whereby you can declare a medical condition and go through the screening process where it will ask you to answer a number of medical questions which only you can answer regarding a medical condition.

B3) What happens if I have to go to hospital, just for the day?

Always contact the Emergency Medical Assistance Company when you are hospitalised, require repatriation or where medical fees are likely to exceed £500.

Medical evidence from the treating doctor to confirm the illness or injury and treatment given, including hospital admission and discharge dates, if this applies.

B4) What is the EHIC & GHIC?

EUROPEAN / GLOBAL HEALTH INSURANCE CARD (EHIC AND GHIC)

If you already have a valid EHIC, it will continue to entitle you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you are in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. The EEA consists of the European Union (EU) countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Cover will end on the expiry date of your EHIC.

If you do not have a valid EHIC or it is due to expire before you travel, you can apply for a GHIC. This entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you are in a European Union (EU) country.

These cards give access to state-provided medical treatment only. Remember, this might not cover all the things you would expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.

You may apply for an GHIC online at www.ghic.org.uk or by calling 0300 330 1350.

NOTE: The EHIC/GHIC does not cover the cost of medical treatment in a private hospital or clinic, the additional cost of returning to your country of residence or for a relative to stay or fly out to be with you. In a medical emergency you may have no control over the hospital you are taken to and the closest hospital may be private.

AUSTRALIA

If you are travelling to Australia you can enrol in Medicare which will entitle you to subsidised hospital treatments and medicines. You can do this by contacting a local Medicare office in Australia. All claims for refunds under the Medicare scheme must be made before you leave Australia. For more information on Medicare visit: www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or email: medicare@medicareaustralia.gov.au

LEVEL OF MEDICAL COVER PROVIDED

This is not a private medical insurance policy and it only gives cover for emergency medical treatment in the event of an accident or unexpected illness occurring during your trip.

B5) Do I need to have vaccinations?

You must seek advice from your doctors before deciding to travel as to whether you should receive inoculations or vaccinations prior to travel. Failure to do so would mean that your policy would exclude any claim arising as a result of, or relating to something you should have been vaccinated against.

C) Covid-19 FAQ's

C1)Am I covered for Covid-19

For full information please refer to the Policy Document Terms and Conditions.

C2) My trip has been moved to a date in the future, can I change the dates on my policy?

If you have a single trip policy, it may be possible for you to amend the dates. Please contact Insure For Travel using our Contact Form or telephoning 01903 209903.

C3) Am I still insured if I travel against the advice of the FCDO?

No. Your policy will not provide cover if you decide to travel against the advice of the FCDO. This would be for 'All Travel' and 'All but Essential Travel'.

It is your responsibility to check the latest advice from the FCDO prior to commencing your trip, which you can find at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

C4) I'm abroad and my flight home has been cancelled by the airline due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. What should I do?

In the first instance, you should contact your travel agent, tour operator or airline provider to arrange an alternative return flight to the UK ASAP.

C5) I am due to pay the balance on my holiday shortly. My trip destination is currently an area where the FCDO are advising against all but essential travel. Will I be covered if I pay the balance and then I am unable to travel due to FCDO advice in the future?

You will need to follow your contractual obligations with your travel agent/tour operator. If you were to refuse to pay the balance of your holiday without the travel agent or tour operator cancelling the holiday it could be considered disinclination to travel and there would be no cover under your travel insurance policy. Which would mean that you wouldn't be able to claim for your loss of deposit already paid. If the trip hasn't been cancelled, the travel agent/tour operator will in all likelihood be expecting you to pay over the balance of the holiday that you had committed to, but they in turn should provide you with protection of both your deposit and balance paid. In the event that you pay over the balance of the holiday and the trip is then cancelled, it will be for the travel agent/tour operator to reimburse you or offer an alternative at that point. Failing that, you may have protection through ABTA if they are a member, or through your credit or debit card providers, all of which should respond before travel insurance in any event.

C6) I'm abroad and have symptoms of Coronavirus/COVID19?

For full information please refer to the Policy Document Terms and Conditions.

D) Personal Possession FAQ's

D1) I have bought a Winter Sports policy, does it cover my own or hired skis?

Sporting equipment cover & Sporting equipment rental cover - please see Policy Document terms and conditions as certain levels of cover will only apply.

No cover is provided under any section of the policy for winter sports activities (Activity Pack 5) if you are age 70 years or over.

D2) What should I do if an item of my personal belongings is lost, stolen or damaged whilst I am abroad?

You should report the theft, loss or damage to the local police, airline or relevant authority remembering to get a written report confirming this. If your claim related to a damaged item you must remember to bring it home with you as the insurers may wish to inspect the item. Certain restrictions apply; please see terms and conditions as certain levels of cover will only apply.

E) Policy FAQ's

E1) Can I buy your insurance whilst abroad?

No - You must buy your travel insurance before you leave the United Kingdom.

E2) I live outside of the UK, can I still buy this insurance?

Eligibility

This policy is only available to you if your:

  • have your primary residence in and you are registered with a doctor in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man;
  • have not spent more than 6 months abroad during the 12 months before this policy was issued or your trip was booked (whichever is later);
  • are in your country of residence at the time of purchasing this policy. We will only cover you for the whole trip. Any trip that has begun when you purchase this insurance will not be covered;
  • are not travelling with the intention of receiving medical treatment.
  • are fit to travel on your trip and are not travelling against the advice of a doctor or where you would have been if you had sought their advice before commencing your trip.

For annual multi trip policies - Adults insured on the same policy may travel independently. Children aged 17 or under may only travel independently if travelling with at least one adult aged 18 or over and with the full knowledge and consent of an insured parent or guardian.

Age Eligibility

The person buying this insurance must be 18 years of age or over at the date of purchase. You must not be older than 75 years of age on the date your policy was issued.

No cover is provided under any section of the policy for winter sports activities (Activity Pack 5) if you are age 70 years or over.

E3) Do I have to pay a policy Excess?

The excess is the first part of the claim that you are responsible for and is payable by you - these are shown in the policy wording Schedule of Benefits.

E4) Can I buy an Excess Waiver?

By purchasing the excess waiver option, the excess on the policy is reduced to £0 and you would therefore not be responsible for making a payment toward the claim. Please note that the excess waiver does not apply to the Gadget cover.

E5) How many people can be covered on one policy?

Up to 10 people can be covered on an individual policy. Family and Single parent families policies can be covered with a maximum of 10 insureds per family. Couple policies are restricted to a maximum of 2 people.

E6) Can I buy a policy for my child?

You can buy a policy for a child where the child is the main insured for an adult premium and subsequently purchased by an adult, parent or guardian. Please note: That there may be some limitations on certain sections of the policy for claims made by a child.

E7) Do we cover One-way trips?

No cover is available - Please call Insure for Travel 01903 209903 for an offline solution.

E8) Do I have to notify you every time I travel on an annual multi trip policy?

No, all we ask is that you make sure that you are aware of, and stick to the maximum single trip duration permitted by your policy. If you exceed the maximum single trip duration, you will not be covered for any part of that trip.

E9) Am I covered if any of the suppliers I purchased my holiday through go bust?

No - unfortunately, the financial failure of any supplier is not covered under our insurance. Please refer to the policy wording for more details or check our website for more details on Holiday Protection.

E10) Am I covered in the unlikely event of a terrorist attack?

Please see the policy documents.

E11) Am I insured for working abroad?

Your day to day holiday activities will continue to be covered as per our terms and conditions. Please note: That you will also need to make sure you have adequate insurance for any liability or legal claim that could be made against you in respect of your work (this may be effected by your employer). Working abroad including administrative office based positions, working on a cruise ship, teaching positions, manual work being restricted to bar/restaurant work & fruit picking (not involving the use of agricultural machinery).

F) Definitions FAQ's

F1) Do you class Uncles and Aunts as close relatives?

Family members are defined as follows:

Your:

  1. Spouse (by marriage, domestic partnership or civil union);
  2. Cohabitants;
  3. Parents and stepparents;
  4. Children, stepchildren, foster children, adopted children or children currently in the adoption process;
  5. Siblings;
  6. Grandparents and grandchildren;
  7. The following in-laws: mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister and grandparent;
  8. Aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews;
  9. Legal guardians and wards; and
  10. Paid, live-in caregivers

F2) Can my children travel independently on our family annual multi trip policy?

No, only the named insured adults may travel independently on a family policy.

G) Activities FAQ's

G1) Will I be covered to scuba dive when abroad?

Scuba Diving is covered as standard to 30m if qualified and not diving alone, or down to 18 metres if not qualified and must be accompanied by a qualified instructor.

G2) What is the definition of Off-Piste skiing?

Winter sports:

  • Airboarding,
  • Biathlon,
  • Bigfoot skiing,
  • Blade skating,
  • Cat skiing (with guide),
  • Cross country skiing,
  • Glacier Skiing/Walking (up to 3,000 metres),
  • Husky Dog Sledding (as a passenger with experienced local driver),
  • Ice go carting+,
  • Ice windsurfing,
  • Kick sledging,
  • Langlauf,
  • Off piste skiing (except in areas considered to be unsafe by local resort management),
  • Off piste snowboarding (except in areas considered to be unsafe by local resort management),
  • Ski blading,
  • Ski boarding,
  • Ski dooing (as driver+ or passenger),
  • Ski Randonee,
  • Ski run walking,
  • Ski Touring,
  • Skiing,
  • Skiing (Alpine),
  • Skiing (Mono),
  • Skiing (Nordic),
  • Skiing (Telemark),
  • Sledging/Sleigh riding as a passenger (pulled by a horse or reindeer),
  • Sledging/tobogganing (on snow),
  • Snow mobiling (as driver+ or passenger),
  • Snow parascending,
  • Snow shoe walking,
  • Snow surfing,
  • Snow tubing,
  • Snowboarding

Please note:

Section H - Personal liability is excluded if marked with +.

For futher details of Activity pack 5, please see the policy documents.

H) Booking & Customer Service FAQ's

H1) Can I cancel the policy if I decide it is not for me?

Yes you can, but this is subject to you cancelling the policy within 14 days of purchase, and you not having travelled or being in the process of making a claim.

H2) What insurance documents should I take on holiday with me?

We always advise that you take a copy of all of your insurance documents with you as you never know when you might need them. The bare minimum you should ever travel with is a copy of our full policy wording along with a note of your policy number, level of cover and issuing agents name.

H3) Can I book a Travel insurance policy commencing today?

Yes Please click here or on the "Home" button to get a quote.

H4) Can you re-send my policy?

Yes, please contact us using our Contact Form.

H5) My policy has incorrect personal details, can these be changed?

Yes, please contact us using our Contact Form.

H6) What happens if I am unable to print my insurance documents?

If you are having trouble downloading or printing your documentation, please contact us using our Contact Form and we will be able to post your validation certificate only. Should you require us to post your full insurance documentation, please be advised that a £6 administration charge will be applicable.

H7) Do I need to register for the Medicare scheme if I'm travelling to Australia?

If you are travelling to Australia you can enrol in Medicare which will entitle you to subsidised hospital treatments and medicines. You can do this by contacting a local Medicare office in Australia. All claims for refunds under the Medicare scheme must be made before you leave Australia. Visit the Medicare website or email them directly.