Your Top Travel Insurance Questions Answered

From flights and accommodation to what you’ll pack and whether you need a checked bag, there’s a lot to think about when you’re booking a holiday. With so much to think about, travel insurance is something that often gets forgotten or overlooked until the very last minute. 

Travel insurance is one of the most important things to sort before heading away.  The right cover can protect you from some very expensive situations and give you real peace of mind while you’re travelling. To help you get it right, we’ve answered the questions Irish holidaymakers ask most often about travel insurance, along with a few tips to help you choose the cover that suits you.

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance covers you for the things that can go wrong when you travel. That might be anything from a cancelled flight, lost luggage or a medical emergency while abroad. In short, travel insurance covers you for the things that can go wrong when you travel, so you’re not left facing the bill yourself.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Cover varies from policy to policy, but most travel insurance includes a few key things:

• Emergency Medical Cover. This is the big one. Emergency medical coverage covers the cost of medical treatment (up to a specified amount) if you become ill or are injured abroad. Please note this excludes pre-existing medical conditions. It does often include expenses for hospital stays and, if necessary, repatriation home. Unexpected medical bills overseas can run into thousands, so cover is something you really don’t want to travel without.

• Cancellation and Curtailment. If you must cancel your trip or cut it short for a specified reason in your travel policy, such as illness or a family emergency, this helps you recover costs.

• Lost Baggage and Personal Belongings. Cover if you injure someone or damage their property while you’re away.
  
• Missed Departures and Delays. Help with costs if your journey is delayed or you miss a connection in certain circumstances.
  
• Personal Liability. Cover if you injure someone or damage their property while you’re away.

It’s just as important to know what travel insurance usually won’t cover. For instance, a policy may not pay out for existing medical conditions you didn’t declare or for incidents that happen while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. And certain high-risk activities (like sky diving, mountaineering, scuba diving or extreme sports) are typically not included as standard and may require a policy extension.

Always read your policy carefully so you know exactly what you’re covered for and check with your insurer if you are unsure.

Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip: Which Do You Need?

This is a common question and entirely depends on how often you travel.

Single Trip cover insures you for one single trip, and that cover starts the day you leave and ends the day you return. If you don’t travel often or only take the odd holiday each year, it’s usually the best and most cost-effective choice for individuals and families.

Annual Multi-Trip policies insure you for any and all trips you take during your period of cover, so you don’t need to buy insurance each time you travel. If you travel a few times a year, whether for holidays or work, it can be a better option than taking out single trip cover each time.

If you’re travelling as a family, it’s worth checking whether a multi-trip policy can cover your partner and children too, as this can add up to a handy saving.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

There’s no one-size-fits-all price for travel insurance. Like the type of cover you need, the cost will be unique to you as there’s a few things that can affect what you’ll pay:

• Length of your trip
• Where you’re travelling
• Age of travellers
• Level of cover you want 
• Any specific add-ons
• Any specific activities you want covered

As a guide, KennCo’s Annual Multi-Trip coverstarts at  just €91.97, and includes cover for your partner and dependent children (T&Cs apply). For a single, shorter trip, you can usually expect to pay less. The best way to know exactly what your cover will cost is to get a quick quote.

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

The short answer is as soon as you book your trip. A lot of people leave it until the last minute, but buying your cover early means things like cancellation cover can kick in straight away. So if something unexpected happens between the period when you book and your travel date, you’re already protected.

How Long Does Travel Insurance Last?

How long your cover lasts will depend on your chosen travel insurance policy. For example, a single trip policy covers you for the start and end dates of that one trip, while an annual multi-trip policy covers you for twelve months. Just be aware that multi trip policies can often have a limit on coverage days for each individual trip so always check this with your provider.

Do You Still Need Travel Insurance in Europe?

Fair question, especially if you’re an Irish citizen travelling within the EU. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to free or reduced healthcare at public hospitals and clinics when travelling within EU, EEA countries and the UK (if you are an Irish citizen). 

But it’s not a replacement for travel insurance. An EHIC card only covers you for medical costs while on holidays or short-term stays of no more than 3 months. It won’t cover you for things like repatriation home, private treatment or ongoing or permanent healthcare so it’s best to have both.

Will a Pre-existing Condition Affect My Travel Insurance? 

If you have a pre-existing medical condition you can still take out travel insurance., You will just need to declare it when you buy your policy. It might seem like a bit of a pain but failure  to declare an existing condition can potentially void your insurance and stop you from making a successful claim if something does go wrong.  

Can I Get Travel Insurance If I’m Pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, most insurers will usually cover you up to a certain stage of your pregnancy and with certain conditions and restrictions, provided you are not travelling against medical advice.  If you are travelling after a certain point in your pregnancy, your insurer may also request to see written confirmation from your doctor that you’re okay to travel. 

It’s always worth checking your cover in advance in case there are  unexpected complications or you need to be admitted to hospital abroad as a result of your pregnancy

How Do You Choose the Right Travel Insurance?

When you’re shopping around for travel insurance, try not to focus on price alone. The cheapest option isn’t always the best option, especially if it doesn’t match your needs or leaves you short if you need to claim. Look at the specific level of medical cover, policies for cancellation, curtailment and lost luggage as well as the excess you’d have to pay on a claim. And make sure the policy suits your trip, others you may be travelling with and any activities you have planned.

Travel With Peace of Mind With KennCo

Knowing you’re properly covered means you can relax and enjoy your trip from the moment you leave home. KennCo provides comprehensive travel insurance to protect you and  your trip, whether you’re taking a single holiday or travelling multiple times throughout the year. T&Cs Apply. Contact the team at KennCo today, or get a quick travel insurance quote online and travel with confidence.