Travel Insurance: What Actually Matters

Travel insurance is easy to buy and easy to buy badly. The cheapest policy often excludes the things you are most likely to claim for, while the cover that matters—emergency medical care and evacuation—is buried in the fine print. This guide explains what to prioritise and the exclusions to watch.

What to look for first

In rough order of importance:

• Emergency medical treatment with a high limit. A hospital stay abroad can cost far more than most people expect.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation. Getting you to adequate care, or home, can be the single most expensive event on a trip.
• Trip cancellation and interruption, ideally covering a defined list of reasons.
• Baggage and personal belongings, with sensible limits per item.
• Delay cover, which helps when a missed connection forces an extra hotel night.

Emergency medical and evacuation

This is the core of any good policy. Check the medical limit and the evacuation limit separately, and confirm there is a 24-hour emergency assistance line. A policy that is strong here and modest elsewhere is usually a better buy than the reverse.

Trip cancellation

Look at why cancellation is covered. Common covered reasons include illness, bereavement, and certain travel disruptions, but many policies exclude "change of mind" and pre-existing conditions unless declared. If you have a condition you might need to cancel for, declare it—silence can void a claim later.

The exclusions that catch people out

• Pre-existing medical conditions not declared or not covered.
• Adventure activities such as skiing, diving, or motorbiking, which need a specific add-on.
• Alcohol-related incidents.
• High-value single items like cameras or laptops, which often need separate cover.
• Claims reported late—policies usually require prompt notification.

Do you actually need it?

If you are travelling within your own country or the EU with a valid health card, medical risk may be lower—but cancellation, delay, and baggage still are not covered. For long-haul or expensive trips, the cost of insurance is small against the cost of one serious event. Many travellers treat it as essential.

How to buy well

• Compare on the medical and evacuation limits, not just the price.
• Read the exclusions list, not just the summary of benefits.
• Match cover to your activities and destination.
• Keep all receipts and documents; claims need evidence.

What to verify before you buy

• The medical and evacuation limits.
• Whether your planned activities are covered.
• The claims process and reporting deadlines.

Buy for the emergencies you hope never happen, and travel insurance earns its keep.