Travel with insurance

Start with your travel plans

Do you travel occasionally or regularly, alone or with your household? Explain where you are going, for how long and what you plan to do. Annual multi-trip and single-trip insurance may call for different considerations. The name of the insurance matters less than whether the actual trip and people fall within the policy description.

Destination, duration and activities

A policy may have conditions for the area you visit and the maximum length of a continuous trip. Winter sports, particular sports, work or study may require additional arrangements. Travel advice and local conditions can also affect cover or assistance. Check the terms relevant to your trip before leaving, rather than waiting until something goes wrong.

This page makes no current statement about the safety or insurability of a specific destination. Check current information and discuss your actual trip with the insurer concerned.

Baggage, assistance and medical expenses

Travel insurance may include sections for baggage, assistance and medical expenses, for example. Each has its own limits and conditions. Check limits for valuables and how medical expenses cover works alongside your health insurance. Travel insurance does not guarantee that every amount will be paid. Keep your policy details and your insurer's contact instructions so you know which procedure applies if something happens.

The insured travel area and maximum trip duration.
Travellers and particular activities.
Payment limits and excess.
The assistance or reporting instructions in the policy.

Cancellation is a separate consideration

Being unable to depart is different from a loss during a trip. Check whether cancellation cover is included, the amount insured and the eligible reasons for cancellation. A change of preference or every unexpected circumstance is not automatically covered. The time of taking out cover and circumstances already known may also need attention. Ask for an explanation for your trip before relying on a payment.

Check before departure and use the correct claims procedure

Bring your travel plans and the main details of existing insurance to a meeting. This allows questions about overlap and missing cover to be discussed. RFD explains which services suit your enquiry; this page does not provide a premium, policy or commitment about a destination.

For an ordinary claim, use the online claims portal. Where your policy requires immediate assistance, follow your own insurer's instructions and verified emergency assistance number. If urgent, call your insurer's assistance centre; the details are on your policy.

For an ordinary claim, use Report a claim; for immediate assistance, follow the instructions and verified assistance number in your policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is cancellation always included in my travel insurance?

No. Check whether cover is included, which reasons qualify and what amount is insured. Travel insurance and cancellation cover are separate subjects.

Am I insured for every activity?

That depends on the policy. Explicitly discuss winter sports, particular sports, work and study before departure, for example.

Are medical expenses fully insured?

This cannot be confirmed in general. Your health insurance, travel insurance, destination and terms must be considered together.

What should I do if I need help while travelling?

Follow your own insurer's assistance and reporting instructions. Keep those details before departure. For ordinary claims, you can use the existing claims procedure.

This is general information, not personal insurance advice or confirmation of insurance cover. What is suitable and covered depends on your circumstances and the policy terms. Read the disclaimer.