1. Start with the medical limit
Medical costs abroad are the reason most people buy travel insurance. Check the per-person medical limit and whether it covers hospital stays, emergency evacuation and pre-existing conditions.
Some policies cover pre-existing conditions only if you declare them and buy within a set number of days; others exclude them entirely. Read that clause before paying.
2. Trip cancellation and interruption
Cancellation cover refunds prepaid costs if you cannot travel for a covered reason, such as illness or bereavement. Interruption cover pays for the unused part and extra transport if you must return early.
Check which reasons are listed as covered: many policies exclude cancellations caused by fear of travel, changes at work, or events you knew about when you bought the policy.
3. Baggage and delays
Baggage cover pays a fixed amount for lost, damaged or delayed bags, usually with a per-item cap. Delay cover pays daily amounts for essential items when a bag is late.
Keep receipts for essentials you buy during a delay, and report loss or damage at the airport before you leave the baggage area.
4. What is usually excluded
Most policies exclude undeclared pre-existing conditions, reckless behaviour, adventure sports booked separately, and trips taken against official travel advice.
Wars, natural disasters and epidemics are covered only when the policy names them. If you travel for work, check whether a business policy is needed instead.
5. Common mistakes
Common mistakes include buying the cheapest policy without comparing the medical limit, assuming cancellation is covered for any reason, and not declaring pre-existing conditions, which can void a claim.
Another is waiting until departure day: some policies must be bought before the trip starts, and pre-existing-condition cover often requires buying within days of booking.
6. Checklist before buying
Compare at least three policies on the medical limit, cancellation reasons, baggage caps and exclusions; declare pre-existing conditions; save the policy document and emergency number; and check whether your credit card already includes cover.