Getting travel insurance

Summary

Travel insurance can protect you against the following things going wrong: * cancelling or cutting short your trip for reasons beyond your control * missed transport or delayed departure for reasons beyond your control * lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money * accidental damage or injury caused by you. If you don't have travel insurance you will have to pay out of your own pocket to deal with a problem while you're away. Or you may lose money if you have to cancel a trip and can't get your money back. This could cost you thousands of pounds. If an insurer or broker can’t offer you insurance because of your age, most of them will refer you to an alternative insurer or give details of a signposting service such as the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s (BIBA’s) ‘Find a Broker’ service. You can use this service to find specialist insurers who can offer specific types of cover based on factors such as age and medical condition. You can find the BIBA’s ‘Find a Broker’ service by phoning their helpline on 0370 950 1790 or by going to their website at www.biba.org.uk. Travel insurance is widely available. You can buy it from: Sometimes, travel.

Key information

• •cancelling or cutting short your trip for reasons beyond your control
• •missed transport or delayed departure for reasons beyond your control
• •medical and other emergencies
• •lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money
• •accidental damage or injury caused by you.
• •retailers and supermarkets
• •online comparison websites
• •where you're travelling to. For example, if you're travelling to the United States you will need extra medical cover
• •how old you are. Travel insurance can cost more if you're over 65. There are special policies for older travellers which may be worth looking at
• •how often you travel. If you go away several times a year, it may be better to buy an annual travel policy rather than several single-trip policies
• •what you'll be doing while you're away. You may need extra cover if you're taking part in dangerous sports, such as skiing or scuba diving
• •whether you're travelling independently or on a package holiday. Package holidays usually offer you greater protection if things go wrong with transport or accommodation so you may not need to make a claim on your travel insurance

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Getting travel insurance](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/types-of-insurance/travel-insurance1/travel-insurance/)

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