Not all travel insurance is created equal
Many travel insurance policies share a few key similarities, but the details can vary based on:
- The type of cover you choose
- Your holiday plans
- Your specific needs
To find the best option for your travel needs, it’s wise to compare policies from different providers. Look for one that offers value for money and the right level of cover for you.
You also need to make sure the policy you choose covers everyone travelling with you, the activities you plan to do, and any gadgets or devices you’re bringing along.
Here, we've outlined the main types of policies available from Post Office Travel Insurance. We’ll also cover optional add-ons for different types of trips.
Compare the three main types of Post Office Travel Insurance
- This policy covers you for one uninterrupted trip that begins and ends in the UK. The maximum trip duration ranges from 31 days to 365 days, depending on your age.
Annual multi-trip travel insurance:
- If you travel more than once a year, this policy is an affordable way to stay insured for multiple trips without needing a new policy each time. Each trip can last up to 31 days and can be extended to 45 or 60 days for an extra cost.
- Designed for long-term travel across multiple destinations, this policy covers trips for up to 18 months. You can return home up to three times during your policy, for a maximum of seven days per visit.
Optional extras and add-ons
On top of our basic policies, there are extra options you can add for more protection, though you will have to pay more for them. These include:
- Planning to ski or snowboard? Standard travel insurance doesn’t cover accidents on the slopes. This add-on gives you the extra protection you need for winter sports.
- If you’re setting sail, this cover protects you against the unique risks that comes with cruising. This includes getting sick at sea, missing a port due to poor weather, or being confined to your cabin during an illness outbreak on board.
If you’re heading on a winter sports trip or going on a cruise, you must add the optional cover to stay fully protected.
Other optional extras to enhance your cover:
Gadget cover offers extra protection for the tech you’re travelling with. The cover levels provided are per person, per policy.
Travel plans don’t always go smoothly. This optional extra helps protect you from issues like airspace disruption, Covid-19, natural catastrophes or terrorist acts on your travels.
The excess is the amount deducted from the payment you receive if you make a claim. It's payable per person and per section of the policy, for each incident. To remove this cost, choose the excess waiver option by paying an additional premium upfront.
Travel insurance policy comparison from Post Office
All our travel insurance policies include:
- Medical cover
- Cancelling or cutting short your trip
- Loss of belongings, including baggage, money and passports
- Legal protection
- Personal liability
- Personal accident
All policies have an excess that you’ll need to pay if you make a claim. You can choose to add an excess waiver, which removes this. With any Post Office Travel Insurance, all benefits and excess amounts apply per person, not per policy.
The type of holiday you’re planning can help you decide the level of cover and any add-ons you might need. Don’t forget to factor in any existing medical conditions that may affect your cover.
Single trip vs. multi-trip insurance
Need cover for more than one trip abroad? If so, it’s worth comparing our annual multi-trip policy with a single-trip policy. You can get quotes for both and choose the one that suits you best. Even if you’re unsure about whether you’ll be taking more than one trip, an annual multi-trip policy could be a good option, especially if you enjoy last-minute getaways. It saves you from buying travel insurance each time.
Longer or shorter trips?
If you’re only taking the one trip, is it a long one or a short one? For longer trips, compare single-trip and backpacker insurance. Although backpacker insurance might not be ideal for a long weekend in Paris, for example, if you’ve spent your savings on a round-the-world plane ticket with a couple of pit stops, single-trip wouldn’t be the right option.
Age and trip duration
You’ll also need to consider your age, as it can affect the trip duration you're covered for.
- Single trip polices have no upper age limit. If you're up to 70 years old, you’re covered for up to 365 days a year. But if you’re between 71 and 75 you have cover up to 90 days and if you are older than 76, cover is limited to 31 days
- Annual multi-trip insurance has an upper age limit of 75
- Backpacker insurance isn’t available to people over 60
Don’t forget add-ons
Think about any extra cover or add-ons you might need. Some trips, like winter sports or cruises, require specific add-ons due to unique risks. For example, with Post Office, you’ll need winter sports or cruise cover for those types of holidays. But even if you’re not going on a specialist holiday, check your policy to make sure you’re covered for any activities you plan to do.
What does holiday insurance cover?
Medical cover
Medical cover helps with accidents, illnesses, and other health issues while you’re abroad. Whether it’s food poisoning, a fall, or a painful toothache, travel insurance may be able to help.
With Post Office, we’ll help you complete a medical screening for pre-existing conditions online or by phone. Plus you’ll get Medical Assistance Plus1 with our policy. This offers 24/7 access to an online GP and support while abroad, with prescriptions sent to the nearest pharmacy.
Cancellation and curtailment
Sometimes, things beyond our control force us to cancel or cut short a trip. Travel insurance can help protect you in these situations.
For single-trip policies, cover for cancellation starts as soon as you take out the policy. For annual multi-trip policies, cover begins from the policy’s start date. If you already have a trip booked, make sure to start your annual policy right away to be covered for cancellations.
If serious events stop you from travelling or force you to change your plans while you’re away due to certain factors beyond your control, you may be eligible to make a claim.
Loss of belongings
Losing important items like your passport while travelling can be stressful. If it wasn’t due to negligence, you may be able to claim for lost or stolen belongings to help cover replacement costs. Check your policy terms and report any losses to the police to support your claim.
Optional add-ons can cover more specific needs. For example, winter sports cover can protect you if your skis are lost or damaged, as long as they’re under three years old. With Post Office Insurance, winter sports and cruise cover are required for those types of trips.
The right travel insurance for you
When comparing travel insurance, make sure you’ve thought about every detail. This will help you avoid any issues with your policy and help make sure you’re well protected while you’re away.
From existing medical conditions to activities you’ll be doing, knowing exactly what you need makes it easier to pick the right travel insurance for you.
