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Travel Insurance

Everything you need to know about specialist travel insurance

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It’s no secret that having travel insurance is vital when travelling abroad as it provides you with a financial safety net against a myriad of risks. Unfortunately, at times, the standard travel insurance policy isn’t enough to protect you from accidents and emergencies. Here’s where specialist travel insurance comes in.

What is specialist travel insurance?

A specialist travel policy covers you from situations that a standard travel insurance policy doesn’t cover. It’s usually provided by dedicated insurers who offer tailored insurance solutions to meet the unique needs of a traveller.

Although specialist travel insurance can be expensive, it’s a worthwhile investment for people whose travel needs are unconventional, e.g., you have to travel against FCDO advice for business purposes.

When should I get specialist travel insurance?

Choosing between a standard travel insurance policy and a specialist cover can be difficult as you never really know the risks you’ll face on a trip. To give you an idea of when you might need it, we’ve compiled three situations below that warrant a specialist insurance policy.

1. You have pre-existing medical conditions

Insurers rarely cover pre-existing medical conditions as it places you at a higher risk of injury, illness and even death. But, with a specialist insurance policy, you’ll be covered for medical emergencies, even those related to COVID, giving you peace of mind if you’re travelling with a medical condition.

Just be sure to check what medical conditions your provider covers because there may be exclusions on certain diseases.

2. Extreme winter sports

If you plan to go heli-skiing, glacier climbing or perform any other dangerous winter sports that are deemed extreme and not standard, you’ll need specialist insurance. Due to the high-risk nature of these sports, your standard policy may not cover them, forcing you to pay for expenses out of pocket.

3. Travelling against FCDO advice

If you plan to travel to a country that’s red-listed (not government-approved), you need to buy specialist insurance to cover you against various risks, including theft, vandalism, medical emergencies and lost baggage.

Ready to find your ideal cover?

Use our tools and resources today to find the perfect specialist annual holiday insurance for your trip.

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Travel Insurance

Common winter sports insurance exclusions

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If you’re planning on travelling this winter, it’s advisable to purchase a winter sports travel insurance policy to protect you from a range of financial risks and liabilities. However, simply because you’re purchasing travel insurance for winter sports doesn’t mean you’ll be covered when partaking in all kinds of snow-related activities. There are some exclusions to look out for, including:

1. Extreme winter sports

Generally, all winter sports are classified as dangerous and risky. That’s why your basic travel insurance policy doesn’t cover them, and you have to buy additional cover – winter sports insurance.

However, insurers regard some winter sports as extremely dangerous as the likelihood of getting injured or damaging equipment is high. This includes snowmobiling and tobogganing. It’s vital to ask your travel insurance provider what winter sports they cover and whether you can add any extra sports.

2. Staying off-piste

Insurers are in the business of making money, so they’ll do everything in their power to ensure they don’t pay your claims, including only covering you when you’re on-piste. Therefore, if you get injured or damage property while off-piste, you won’t be covered.

Another rule your travel insurance provider might stipulate is having to wear protective gear such as a helmet to be covered.

3. Travelling against the advice of the FCDO

If you travel to a destination that the FCDO advises against travel to, your winter sports policy will likely be null and void. Fortunately, you can bypass this by purchasing specialist travel insurance.

However, it’s wise to follow guidelines as there may be a forecast winter storm or blizzard that puts your health and safety at risk.

4. Unattended equipment

It’s no secret that equipment for winter sports can be expensive to purchase and maintain. From ski boots and windproof jackets to snowboards and skis, these items cost an arm and a leg. While your provider may cover equipment loss, damage and theft, they may exclude unattended stolen or lost equipment.

Not all policies offer the same level of cover, and the only way to know the exclusions in your policies is by reading in between the fine print. You can use our tools to compare exclusions and read the terms and policies from different providers.

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Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for winter sports

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Are you currently planning your winter vacation? If so, you’ve probably already researched the snow conditions and the latest kit for skiing. However, have you dedicated time to getting your winter sports travel insurance right? Keep reading to learn more about travel insurance for winter sports.

What is winter sports travel insurance?

Generally, winter sports travel insurance is an add-on that you purchase on your policy to cover you from a wide range of snow-related activity risks. For instance, if you go snowboarding, buying a winter sports policy ensures you’re covered in the event of an accident or injury.

Winter sports travel insurance is essential as it gives you peace of mind knowing you’re protected when taking part in snow-related activities.

Remember, you’re more likely to incur an injury while skiing than you are while reading a book by the poolside. So, it’s imperative to get this add-on before your next winter vacation.

Why don’t insurers offer it as a standard policy?

Travel insurance companies base their premiums and policies on the risk involved. Therefore, the riskier it is to cover you, the higher your premiums.

Unfortunately, most insurers tend to stay away from covering dangerous and high risks activities, including winter sports, to avoid liabilities and financial losses. But, they’ll require you to purchase it at an additional cost to make even.

It’s vital to note that while a winter sports policy might make your insurance expensive, it’s worthwhile. It offers a financial safety net if you need to claim for lost equipment, medical expenses, accidents on slopes, and more.

What do winter sports policies cover?

A reliable winter sports travel insurance policy should include the following:

• Medical expenses following an accident
• The damage or loss of personal or hired winter sports equipment
• Loss of lift passes
• Avalanches and piste closures – this allows you to be reimbursed for the part of the trip you lose

Winter sports exclusions

Insurers don’t offer the same level of winter sports cover, so check carefully what yours does and doesn’t cover. For instance, it’s normal to find providers excluding extreme winter sports like snowmobiling.

You can use our tools here at Compare Insurance to compare policies and exclusions from various providers to see your travel insurance cost.

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Travel Insurance

The different types of travel insurance, explained

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Shopping for overseas travel insurance can often seem like a minefield, with many people deciding they won’t purchase it – either because they don’t think it’s necessary, they’ve never had to use it before, or they think the process is too complicated. Nowadays, with insurance comparison sites and quick application processes, it’s easier and more affordable than ever. There are a few different types of travel insurance policies out there, so make sure you get the right one for you.

Single Trip Travel Insurance

If you’re heading to one destination for a set amount of time, then this is the type of cover you would get. Single trip travel insurance is the most basic of policies and can cover you for a variety of different events, up to a certain level of expense, depending on what you want to be covered.

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

If you travel on a regular basis, for business or leisure, then it makes the most sense to buy an annual multi-trip policy. It’s more cost-effective and less time consuming than having to buy single trip travel insurance every time you go away. It’ll cover multiple destinations over the course of the year and can either cover European, Worldwide or Worldwide, excluding the USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Winter Sports Travel Insurance

If you’re going on a skiing holiday or heading somewhere where you’re going to take part in a winter sports activity, then you’ll need winter sports travel insurance. These types of activities are considered riskier than those included in other policies, as there are unique situations you could find yourself in, such as avalanche delays, piste closures or serious injury.

Backpacker Travel Insurance

A backpacker policy covers you if you’re heading away for a longer period of time and jumping around between destinations. It’ll often cover you for a wider range of activities too, such as skiing and white-water rafting.

Family Travel Insurance

A family travel insurance policy covers up to two adults and eight children of the same family, provided the children are under 18 years old. This is a more cost-effective and easier option than buying separate policies, and you can purchase a single or annual trip cover.

Cruise Travel Insurance

Just like winter sports coverage, cruise travel insurance covers you for unique situations you can find yourself in with a cruise holiday. You’ll often be visiting multiple countries for an extended period of time and can experience things such as missed port departures and itinerary changes.

Over 65’s Travel Insurance

Those over the age of 65 are usually more likely to need urgent medical attention while they’re away, so the over 65’s travel insurance policy often covers extra expenses – occasionally allowing a companion to be added to the policy.

Whatever type of visa travel insurance policy you purchase, be sure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying. This will often increase the price of your policy. However, it is a small price to pay for peace of mind and an appropriate level of cover.

To find the best travel insurance for your trip, head to Compare Insurance today.

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Travel Insurance

3 holidays that make travel insurance more expensive

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When looking to go on holiday, travel insurance is a must. Being insured for the unforeseen is essential for a stress-free trip. There are many levels of insurance that are available, depending on what kind of trip you have planned. If you are going on a standard beach holiday, for example, most holiday insurance will cover you for the basics. However, there are some types of activity holidays that can increase your insurance premium. This is largely due to the increased risk of you needing to claim on your insurance. These are known as ‘optional’ or ‘add-on’ costs and they allow for more comprehensive and specific cover.

Here are the top 3 holidays that will increase your insurance costs.

Winter sports

Comprehensive medical insurance is essential for a ski or snowboard holiday. Broken legs or fractured bones can ruin a trip, but you don’t want to be burdened with spiralling hospital costs as well. Alongside medical cover, an extra travel insurance add-on will ensure you’re covered for such eventualities as piste closures, lost lift passes, and associated ski equipment hire, amongst other things.

Golfing holiday

Alongside winter sports, a golf holiday needs a special mention on your travel insurance. If your equipment and clubs are stolen, lost or damaged, or if you don’t make it onto the course, you will be compensated for the costs you incur. Replacement golf equipment hire and the reimbursement of green fees comes as standard too.

Going on a cruise

This additional cost to your insurance premium is a must if you are going on a cruise. Loss of valuables and baggage will often only be covered with this add-on premium. This insurance is very specific and can even cover you if you are unexpectedly confined to your cabin.

One way to off-set these add-on costs could be to increase your excess, which is a term used to describe the money you pay before your insurance pays the remainder of the cost. Be sure to compare all the different travel insurances out there to get the best possible price.

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