Travel Insurance

[Tinks1984]

Hey guys,

Anyone have any recommendations for travel insurance? It's like a minefield it seems. Been looking for a single trip policy for next May. My parents do have some pre-existing medical conditions (nothing too serious mind), but I'm getting such varied quotes I actually don't know who to trust! I've had them range from £179 through to £350!

 

[2Tiggies]

I used Direct Travel several years running as the came out the cheapest with the best all round cover and add-on options. For this trip Columbus direct beat them by a long shot and the cover was even better (plus a healthy cashback payout on TCB). While we don't need an special conditions cover, they do offer the option. Or at least the did at the time I took it out.

 

[scoobydooby]

Have you checked your bank? I pay a small amount for banking and get a really good travel insurance policy as part of it. Actually much cheaper than buying travel insurance.

 

[Tinks1984]

I used Direct Travel several years running as the came out the cheapest with the best all round cover and add-on options. For this trip Columbus direct beat them by a long shot and the cover was even better (plus a healthy cashback payout on TCB). While we don't need an special conditions cover, they do offer the option. Or at least the did at the time I took it out.

Thanks Lee, I'll check this out Can I be stupid and ask what TCB is?

Have you checked your bank? I pay a small amount for banking and get a really good travel insurance policy as part of it. Actually much cheaper than buying travel insurance.

We do have a policy with our bank, but it's not going to cover what we need for the trip - and they won't cover existing conditions. Thanks for the option though.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks Lee, I'll check this out Can I be stupid and ask what TCB is?
We do have a policy with our bank, but it's not going to cover what we need for the trip - and they won't cover existing conditions. Thanks for the option though.

Not stupid at all - it was me being lazy and abbreviating! Topcashback. Sorry about that.

I also have a policy with my bank but I never use it for big trips because the cover level would leave us short for some of the bigger parts of the itinerary, like cancellations and curtailment, lost or delayed luggage, etc.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I used Direct Travel several years running as the came out the cheapest with the best all round cover and add-on options. For this trip Columbus direct beat them by a long shot and the cover was even better (plus a healthy cashback payout on TCB). While we don't need an special conditions cover, they do offer the option. Or at least the did at the time I took it out.

Thanks 2Tiggies, just priced Direct Travel and Columbus Direct through Quidco, and Columbus is the cheapest quote I have! £69 for their Gold policy (after the 26% Quidco cash back)

 

[Tinks1984]

Thanks 2Tiggies, just priced Direct Travel and Columbus Direct through Quidco, and Columbus is the cheapest quote I have! £69 for their Gold policy (after the 26% Quidco cash back)

That's fantastic! I'm going to have to sit and look at it properly, as when I did it the other day it was coming up at around £400 for us all

 

[2Tiggies]

That's fantastic! I'm going to have to sit and look at it properly, as when I did it the other day it was coming up at around £400 for us all

Make sure you select 'Family'

Children under a certain age (18?) go free with one or more adults. I clicked on the wrong option once and couldn't understand why the price had jumped so much.

 

[joolz1910]

I have a current account with Nationwide and they will cover me, DH and the three girls for £50 - that is for a Worldwide annual travel policy. The cancellation amount is £5000 per adult, which is fine for us.

 

[Kath2003]

I have a current account with Nationwide and they will cover me, DH and the three girls for £50 - that is for a Worldwide annual travel policy. The cancellation amount is £5000 per adult, which is fine for us.

If you have Nationwide's fee paying account (£10/month - £120/year) you get this and a bunch of other insurances (family mobile phone, breakdown, plus a few other bits and bobs). The fee is per account, not per person. I have heard several people say that they saved a fair sum of money this way. Depends whether you spend at least £70 more per year on those other things, I guess - no good if you don't drive or care about your mobiles!

We have previously used Columbus Direct, but don't really look at anything other than the cancellation (which is never much for us as we travel cheaply) and the medical cover (£10 million minimum for the USA). Haven't claimed for years now (just one small medical claim many years ago) so cannot comment on service.

 

[joolz1910]

If you have Nationwide's fee paying account (£10/month - £120/year) you get this and a bunch of other insurances (family mobile phone, breakdown, plus a few other bits and bobs). The fee is per account, not per person. I have heard several people say that they saved a fair sum of money this way. Depends whether you spend at least £70 more per year on those other things, I guess - no good if you don't drive or care about your mobiles!

I looked at paying for my account but as I have breakdown cover and never go abroad (apart from WDW) I decided to just upgrade my free European cover to Worldwide for £50.

We had this cover last time too.