Holiday Extras won Best Student Current Account Provider at the YourMoney.com Personal Finance Awards 2024, held in the historic Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London.
It marked the first time the travel insurance provider picked up the gong, and as part of YourMoney.com‘s showcase of the winners, Alice Lawson, associate director of insurance at Holiday Extras, shares five T&Cs to weigh up before committing to a policy.
Most holidays are happily trouble-free and most people don’t need to claim on their insurance – but in the rare circumstances where something goes wrong, it can be either dangerous or expensive not to be covered, so booking travel insurance is an essential part of holiday planning, no matter if you buy when you book your trip or the day before you depart.
Holiday Extras, the UK market leader in holiday extras such as travel insurance, airport hotels, parking and lounges, has long campaigned for travellers to buy the right insurance for them – and we aim to make the whole process as clear and easy to understand as possible.
That’s why, earlier this year, we launched an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, ‘SYD’ (Search Your Documents), to do all the work for you, and make understanding your insurance clearer than ever. It couldn’t be easier – simply ask SYD any questions you have about your policy documents and it will help you find the answer.
When heading off on holidays, it’s important to know exactly what cover you have. Here are five essential tips to which travellers should pay particular attention:
1. Declare your medical conditions
It’s crucial to disclose any medical conditions, no matter how minor they may seem. Allergies, high blood pressure, asthma – these and other conditions must be declared to your insurance provider, regardless of how big or small they are. Failing to do so can lead to delays in receiving emergency treatment or, in the worst case, leave you without any cover at all, potentially facing significant medical expenses.
2. Check your activity cover
We often indulge in activities on holiday that we wouldn’t usually do at home. While many travel insurance policies cover common activities, anything deemed higher risk, like certain water sports, winter sports or adventure activities, may require an additional premium. Always confirm that the activities you plan to enjoy are included in your policy cover.
3. Make sure your specific destination is covered
This may seem obvious, but it’s something easily overlooked. Insurers tend to group destinations into broader regions, and definitions can vary between providers. If you’re planning a layover and wish to explore the city, make sure that that destination is also covered in your policy. Simply stepping outside the airport could invalidate your cover if the region isn’t included in your policy.
4. Make sure your trip duration is covered
For single trips, your coverage lasts the length of your holiday, but with annual policies and extended trips, check the maximum trip length allowed under your policy. Many annual policies have a limit (often 31 days) on the duration of each trip. Exceeding that could leave you uncovered for part of your holiday.
5. Make sure you have the right licence
It can be tempting to hop on a Vespa while travelling around places like Rome, but make sure you have the appropriate licence for the vehicle you plan to drive. Without the correct UK licence, any claim related to an accident involving the vehicle could be void. Most providers have a limitation to the engine size of a motorbike you can drive while abroad – it’s important you check your policy documentation for this information before you embark on your trip.
Holidays are all about switching off, relaxing, and spending quality time with your loved ones. Making sure that you have the right travel insurance gives you added peace of mind that you’ll be covered should a situation arise that requires it.
So before you jump on that flight, make sure to check you’re covered by asking SYD to search your policy documents.
Alice Lawson is associate director of insurance at Holiday Extras
Holiday Extras is the UK market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire, airport transfers and holiday insurance.
Established in 1983, Holiday Extras makes bookings for over eight million travellers each year.
