When is the best time to buy travel insurance?

During the cold and dark winter days, our spirits are often lifted with the thought of the warmer summer months and upcoming holidays.

We dream about travelling to a sunnier climate, so now is an ideal time to sit down and work out your plans for your summer holiday, including that all important travel insurance.

Preparation is key

Don’t leave booking your travel insurance to the last minute. Often, people spend hours finding the latest holiday hot-spots and best-value deals, but you also need to consider the right cover, especially if you have any disabilities or pre-existing medical conditions.

Reduce the stress with a bit of planning and preparation, so when it’s time to go on holiday you only need to think about relaxing and how much fun you’re going to have.

Buy early

It’s best to buy your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday, to ensure you’re fully covered against any cancellation costs or pre-trip illnesses. Minimise any pre-travel worries by ensuring you’re covered, just in case your condition gets worse or if you have any unexpected events, for example, a family bereavement. So remember, the sooner you buy your travel insurance cover, the sooner your holiday is protected.

Declare pre-existing medical conditions

Be honest when discussing your requirements and medical history with your insurance broker. Although a number of travel insurance policies include emergency medical expenses, this does not extend to existing medical conditions, meaning that specialist cover is essential for holidaymakers with a history of illness.

You need to be up-front and provide all the relevant information regarding any past or current health issues or disabilities, known as pre-existing medical conditions. This is very important to avoid invalidating your cover and potentially facing a large medical bill whilst on holiday.

Get the best value for money

Another consideration is whether you purchase an annual cover or single trip policy. If you’re planning to take a number of trips during the next 12 months it may be more cost-effective and efficient to buy an annual policy rather than buying a number of separate policies each time you travel. Fish Insurance offers both single trip and annual multi-trip options, making it easy for you to make the right decision on the type of cover you require.

As with other types of insurance, remember to look at the level of excess included on the policy. This could be an important consideration for those with pre-existing medical conditions if for example, you need to cancel a trip at the last minute.

Customise your policy

Nowadays, people are choosing different types of holiday too, so it’s important not to assume that one policy covers all trips. Therefore, you need to consider the type of holiday you’re going on as this may affect the level of cover you need.

For example, holidaymakers who enjoy visiting a number of destinations on cruise ship holidays may need specific cover for missed departures, unused cruise excursions or medical treatment once on board. Whereas for the more adventurous travellers, winter sport holidays can throw up their own risks, so make sure you’re covered for any activity-related injuries and winter sports equipment, which can be expensive.

With Fish Insurance, you can choose where you’re going to, such as different European regions, Australia & New Zealand, and even worldwide.

Talk to our experts

For more information on our specialist travel insurance policies, click here or call a member of the Fish Insurance team on 0333 331 3770.