Travel insurance: what to check in the policy wording
Travel insurance covers emergency medical care abroad, repatriation, trip cancellation and baggage. What it leaves out is set in the exclusions, so compare those terms before you book.
Travel insurance usually pays for emergency medical treatment abroad, medical repatriation, trip cancellation and lost baggage. Exclusions often decide what a policy actually pays, so read the wording before you buy. Check the medical limit and whether a 24-hour assistance line can arrange payment directly with a hospital. Declare every health condition, since an omission on the application can invalidate a claim.
Compare the activity list with your plans. Scooters, hiking above a set altitude and winter sports are often excluded or sold as add-ons. If you are over 60, check the age cap. If you want storm cover, check when you must buy relative to a named storm. Policies differ widely, so two plans with similar prices can pay very differently. Start with the guide closest to your trip, then read the full policy document before you pay.
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Do I need travel insurance to enter the Schengen area?
Yes, if you apply for a Schengen visa. The application needs travel medical cover that is valid across the Schengen area and meets the minimum amount set by the rules. Check the requirement on the consulate page of the country you apply to, since each embassy sets its own document list.
Does my health insurance cover me abroad?
Sometimes, and often only in part. Check whether your plan pays for care at overseas hospitals and whether it includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation home, which can cost far more than treatment. A travel policy is the usual way to cover both.
Does credit card travel insurance count as real cover?
It can, but only under the card's own conditions. Many cards require the trip to be paid in full with that card, and they cap benefits and exclude some activities. Read the full benefit guide for the card and compare it with the policy wording.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
Often not automatically. Most policies exclude conditions you had before you bought cover unless you declare them and the insurer accepts them. Some insurers offer a waiver if you buy within a set number of days after your first trip payment, so check that deadline before you pay.
Which activities are not covered by travel insurance?
Policies often exclude or limit higher-risk activities, for example scooter riding or hiking above a set altitude. The list sits in the policy wording, under exclusions or an activities schedule. Find it before you travel.
What should I do if I need treatment abroad?
Call the emergency assistance number on your policy before you pay, when your condition allows it, so the insurer can arrange or approve care. Keep every receipt and the medical report, and send them with the claim form. Ask the insurer how the hospital should bill it.
Can I buy travel insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, but trip cancellation cover often has a deadline. Many insurers cover cancellation only if you buy within a set time after your first trip payment, so buy early. Check the policy start date too, since medical cover often begins when you leave home.