When does travel insurance cover you?

Posted by Lumpyproletarian@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 12 comments

So if I get travel insurance to start on the day I leave (say) 27th, and my mum falls ill on the 26th, am I covered for cancellation or do I have to start the insurance as soon as I decide to go away to cover anything going wrong between the idea and the trip? I’m booking my first overseas holiday in 15 years and I can’t work out how it works. Thanks

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12 Comments

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DocumentMany2843@reddit

Does my insurance cover the run up to my holiday

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ShineAtom@reddit

Travel insurance covers you from the day you want it to start. So if it starts on day 1 of your trip, it won't cover you if something happens the day before meaning you can't go. When you've booked your holiday, buy your travel insurance to start at once. Who knows what might happen in the intervening weeks or months. Also check exactly what your travel insurance covers before you buy it. Google Martin Lewis, travel insurance, Money Saving. Expert and read their advice. The cheapest is not always the best.

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cl4udia_kincaiid@reddit

I realise this is old but I have a question. I booked travel insurance through AHM (since I have health insurance with them already) and it asked for my travel start date and end date so I put in the dates we leave but the insurance issue date is for the date I bought it. I’m hoping that means I’m still covered if anything happens now before the holiday? Didn’t give me an option to start it in advance just wanted the travel dates.

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trek123@reddit

If you buy single trip insurance, you are usually covered for events prior to the trip. But you need to buy the insurance as soon as you book to ensure this, as if you delay and something happens before you manage to buy you're stuffed. If you buy annual/multi-trip insurance, you usually need to start it straight away in order to cover any events in the run up. On some annual policies there can be a trap if something happens across the renewal date, but this only applies if you already had a policy so not relevant to you. Check annual policies even if you'll only go away once. Ridiculously I have often got a cheaper quote on annual compared to a 1-2 week single trip policy.

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Old-Surprise8956@reddit

This is correct.

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Al-Calavicci@reddit

The annual policy is probably cheaper because you aren’t covered until the day your holiday, unlike a single trip policy where you are covered from the day you take it out if you have to cancel.

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trek123@reddit

Hence why I say you need to start an annual policy it straight away, unlike a single trip. Obviously it depends how far away the trip is. In my case it was within a year so it was a definite win.

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bobdebilda@reddit

Always buy the insurance when you book the holiday or get an annual policy which normally isn't much more than a single trip.

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Al-Calavicci@reddit

Most annual policy won’t cover you until your holiday starts, so if you fall ill the day before you won’t be covered. So if you are having only one or two holidays single trip cover is often a better bet.

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sandio90@reddit

You buy the insurance on the day you book your holiday and start date immediately. So you're covered if anything happens before the holiday.. example Flights and insurance booked today Holiday date 15th December You fall sick or change jobs mid November and change your mind , you are covered. If insurance starts on holiday start date and anything happens prior you can claim even if you purchased ahead of time

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Jimathay@reddit

You're far more organised than me. I only look to book holidays at most 12 months in advance. Props to you for booking 15 years ahead!

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coffee_and_tv_easily@reddit

If you’ve already purchased the insurance in advance then I’d you can’t take the trip on the day then you will be covered I believe