There’s a lot to think about when buying travel insurance, here’s our checklist of important things to consider when choosing a policy:

  • How long is your stay?
  • Which country are you visiting?
  • How many people are travelling with you?
  • What ages are your travelling companions?
  • Are there any children with you?
  • Are you eligible for family cover?
  • Do you or any member of your party have a pre-existing medical condition?
  • What kind of activities will you be participating in?
  • Will you need to cover any hired equipment?
  • What kind of cover do you have on your household contents insurance?
  • Could you get cheaper cover from a specialist provider?

All policies are different but as a basic guide, when choosing a travel insurance policy ensure it covers you for:

  • £1 million of medical cover in Europe
  • £2 million in the States and the rest of the world
  • Compensation cancellation or curtailment of your holiday including costs to get you home safely in an emergency
  • Minimum of £ 1,500 cover for your baggage belongings
  • N.B. Make sure you check the limit for individual items and don’t take anything more valuable than this amount if possible
  • £1 Million of personal liability cover in case you are responsible for any damage or injury
  • Any legal costs
  • A 24-hour emergency line

Ensure your chosen insurance company is a Membership of the Financial Ombudsman Service in case you have any problems claiming. The Ombudsman can intervene and make your insurer settle.