Travel insurance: How to get the cheapest quotes and best cover

By This Is Money

Updated: 11:07 EST, 12 March 2014

Don't take travel insurance with an airline or holiday company - you can get the same level of cover for a fraction of the price elsewhere.

Our comparison tool allows you to seek out the cheapest deals while keeping an eye on the level of cover and the conditions.

Warning: Cheaper policies may not offer as much cover, so make sure you check the smallprint!

Travel insurance: We guide you through how to get the cheapest cover

ESSENTIAL READING

Each year holidays are ruined by illness or robbery or even the sudden need to return home because someone else is ill.

There's no legal requirement for you to have insurance when you travel abroad but if you find yourself in a situation like that you'll bless the day you took a policy out.

And with competition within the industry growing fiercer, prices have tumbled. Annual policies for Europe start at £12 while worldwide cover begins from as little as £20.

Choosing your cover

Buying cover from your travel agent is the easiest way to get travel insurance but will probably also be the most expensive. Some travel companies offer 'free' cover but it's unlikely that the insurance really is free, as the cost is generally built into the price of the holiday.

Remember that commission on selling insurance is a huge - although declining - earner for travel agents. You can usually get a better deal via an insurance broker or aggregation website, of which there are now dozens. Our travel insurance tool has a vast range of policies: Get a quote here.

Travel agents cannot advertise big discounts on holiday prices and then say they are only available to people who take out their 'own label' travel cover.

But they are within their rights to make it a condition of booking that you have some form of insurance in place, so it makes sense to have your policy details with you when you book.

Unscrupulous agents may try to say the insurance you do have is not good enough in a bid to persuade you to pay for their own cover. Resist their pressure and stick to your existing policy - or go to a different agent.

It often pays to sort out your insurance in advance, so that you can give the travel agent the name of your insurer when you come to book. Often the agent will ask you to sign a form declaring that you were offered, but decided to turn down, the company's travel insurance package.

The way travel insurance is sold is changing. Read our guide to buying travel insurance to make sure you are getting the right policy for the best price.

Getting value for money

If you go abroad more than a couple of times a year it's worth taking out an annual policy. They represent much better value than buying cover as you go along.

When you buy travel insurance find out what the excess is and whether it applies as one amount per claim or for each part of a claim. Check the limit on individual items. You may need higher limits if you are taking expensive jewellery, for example.

Check first whether personal possessions are covered under your home contents policy. It may automatically include cover for some items away from home. Ask for a discount on premiums if you don't require possessions cover.

Sports

Make sure you are covered for any unusual sporting activities you are planning, such as whitewater rafting or bungee jumping.

If you are going skiing or taking part in other winter sports you will usually be asked to pay extra as these activities generate more claims than a beach holiday in Spain or a city break in Germany.

Find out more about winter sports cover for your ski or snowboard trip in our guide here.

Delays

Don't expect a big payout if air traffic controllers go on strike and you spend a good portion of your holiday lying around at Heathrow reading magazines. This is an excluded condition more often than not.

Been delayed? Find out how to complain and get your money back here

Illness abroad

Generally you will be covered for medical problems occurring abroad unless you are travelling specifically to get treatment or travelling against medical advice. However some companies ask you if you have had any medical problems and then ask you to contact them before cover can be finalised.

Older people lost out as they are often asked to pay more - the insurers argue that they are more likely to make a claim.

Find out how to protect yourself on holiday when travelling with a critical illness and get cover with a previous condition here

Taking extra precautions

When you book your holiday it's worth paying at least the deposit with a credit card. This gives protection for the whole cost of the holiday, under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, as long as the payment exceeds £100.

The rule is that the card company is equally liable with the supplier - the tour operator in this case - for providing a refund if the goods or services are not satisfactory.

If you book a package holiday through a member of the Association of British Travel Agents you will get your money back if the tour operator goes bust.

If you are putting your own holiday together make sure you book accommodation with an ABTA travel agent and flights with a provider which holds an Air Travel Organiser's Licence - if either go bust your money will be refunded.

And finally...

It's important that you read the small print of your travel insurance policy carefully. Make sure you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

There are exceptions and limits in every policy and claiming you didn't know of them when you took the cover out will not make an iota of difference if you're caught out.

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