Whether you are preparing to travel the globe or just planning a single trip, travel insurance is a holiday essential. Good travel insurance protects you and your valuables in case of emergency, meaning that a distressing incident, such as theft or injury, will not end up costing you thousands. The type of holiday cover you should take out depends on the type of adventurer you are.
Both single trip travel insurance and annual policies have their benefits, so today we are putting them head-to-head to discover which is best for you.
What Is the Difference?
Simply put, single trip insurance is created for those who are planning one or two jaunts a year – no matter the length. Annual policies are ideal for the lucky few who are able to enjoy more than two breaks in one year. As it includes an unlimited number of trips, an annual policy often works out cheaper for a frequent traveller.
Top Tip: always check the exact details of your policy as many annual packages have restrictions that could leave you without protection halfway through a trip. For example, some policies restrict the length of any individual stay – normally to around 40 days.
Questions You Should Ask
Here are a few key questions you should be able to answer before you decide on your insurance.
•Does the policy cover your destination? Many providers have separate cover for Europe and the rest of the world. Bear in mind that higher-risk destinations may require a different policy.
•Does it cover your planned activities? Are you preparing to take on any high-risk sports or perhaps participate in some volunteer work?
•Is the medical cover correct? Make sure you have declared any existing conditions before buying insurance and check that the policy you chose meets your needs.
When Should I Chose Single Trip Travel Insurance?
Single trip travel insurance can help save you money if you are only going abroad once during the year. If a heavy workload or family obligations mean you won’t be jetting off to an exotic location every chance you get, a one-time policy is ideal.
A one-off policy is also a good idea if you are planning a one-off kind of experience. For a trip involving higher costs, outside Europe for example, why not just pay the higher rate once. The same applies if you are intending to hit the slopes or perhaps paraglide. Some activities – like skiing, golfing and surfing – have specific, and often expensive, equipment. When travelling with this gear, you will want a specific policy that covers them in case of theft or damage.
Investing in one-trip cover is also a good option if you have specific short-term medical needs, during a pregnancy for example, where a more comprehensive cover will give you peace of mind.
Hopefully, this brief guide has explained when single trip travel insurance is the best option, even for frequent travellers, and will help you decide which type of cover you need for your next adventure.
Ethan Bailey is an experienced adventure traveller and insurance expert with the team at Let's Go Insure. Ethan’s passion is to inspire his clients to go just that little bit further, deeper and higher on their travels and his expertise in providing the ideal insurance cover allows them to do just that. If you're looking for the best single trip travel insurance Let's Go works with the most experienced underwriters, intermediaries and insurers to offer a range of competitive insurance without compromising on cover.
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