We arrange travel insurance but we do not underwrite it, which means we have no interest in which policy you choose — only that you read the right parts of it.
1. Pre-existing conditions
The clause that voids more claims than any other. Many policies exclude anything related to a condition you had before travelling, whether or not you were treated for it, and some define "pre-existing" to include conditions you had not yet been diagnosed with.
If you have any ongoing condition, declare it. A declared condition with a slightly higher premium is insurance. An undeclared one is a policy that will not pay when you need it.
2. What counts as an adventure activity
Standard policies frequently exclude scuba diving below a certain depth, trekking above a certain altitude, skiing off-piste, and motorcycling — including riding pillion on a scooter, which catches out a lot of people in South-East Asia.
If your itinerary includes any of these, check the specific limits rather than assuming an "adventure" add-on covers everything.
3. Cancellation grounds
"Cancel for any reason" is rare and expensive. Standard cancellation cover typically pays only for specified grounds — your own illness, a death in the immediate family, jury service, serious damage to your home. Changing your mind, a work commitment or a visa refusal are usually not covered.
Visa refusal cover is available separately and is worth considering if your trip depends on a visa you do not yet hold.
4. Medical cover and the cashless network
A sum insured of USD 500,000 is meaningless if the policy reimburses rather than pays directly and you have to find USD 40,000 for an emergency admission first. Check whether there is a cashless network at your destination and how the emergency assistance line actually works.
For Schengen applications, note that the mandated minimum is EUR 30,000 with specific repatriation cover — a policy that meets the price point but not the repatriation clause will fail the visa requirement.
Practical advice
- Buy at the time of booking, not before departure — cancellation cover only runs from the date of purchase.
- Carry the policy number and the emergency line separately from your phone.
- Photograph your policy schedule and email it to yourself.
- If you travel more than three times a year, an annual multi-trip policy is almost always cheaper.
We will place cover for you and point you at the clauses that matter for your specific trip. We will also tell you when the cheaper policy is genuinely adequate.
