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Original poster

When to get travel insurance

17 replies

BoysRule · 11/08/2021 12:06

I'm looking for different perspectives.

We've just booked a big holiday to the Caribbean at Christmas. We've put down a £350 deposit and full balance is due 3 weeks before we leave.

I'm wondering when to get insurance. I don't mind losing the deposit.

Is it better to get it now, with as much COVID cover as possible? I've found one that covers most things apart from isolating when we return.

Or is it better to wait until nearer the time as we have no idea what different COVID restrictions/rules will be in place. Things that are on insurance policies now, might not be an issue by then or there may be other things that need covering and will be on travel insurance by then.

Thanks.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 11/08/2021 12:39

You should really take out insurance as soon as you book the holiday

Original poster
BoysRule · 11/08/2021 12:47

Can you tell me why? Im interested to find out in this case the best option.

OP posts:
TooMuchPaper · 11/08/2021 12:50

Assume worst case scenario and you get sick and can't travel. You cannot then take out insurance that will cover you for that. You really should get a policy from the date you book.

dementedpixie · 11/08/2021 12:51

www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-insurance/guide/

Because it could cover you if you need to cancel the holiday before you go e.g. illness, bereavement, etc

LIZS · 11/08/2021 12:52

Cancellation for reasons other than those in t and c. You may have paid a low cost deposit and actually be liable for more charges the nearer departure date approaches, even before full balance is due.

AllforOnsies · 11/08/2021 12:53

As soon as you book

You or a close loved one may develop all sorts of issues and they won't be covered with a huge premium.

tanstaafl · 11/08/2021 12:55

As soon as you book or have an annual policy ( holidays in the UK are covered too ).

Don’t be economical with the truth when it comes to the medical questions.

PeonyTime · 11/08/2021 12:56

As soon as you book.
The balance might not be due until 3 weeks before, but when do you become liable for cancellation costs?

CeeceeBloomingdale · 11/08/2021 12:58

As soon as you spend money. Most claims are made by people who had to cancel before the trip for something unexpected. As an example we booked one August for the following July, took out insurance. In February my DH developed a serious and life threatening medical issue out of the blue, it could affect anyone. It can be and almost was fatal. It takes months to recover from. Insurance would have covered us to cancel but his consultant said he was able to go and the insurer fully covered him despite having several medical issues that had arisen as a result of the illness. Obviously we told them when it happened so we were covered, not telling them would invalidate the policy. This was a single trip policy. If it was an annual policy they would have recalculated the price to include the medical issues. We paid £22 for the 14 days cover. The following year our 14 day policy was almost £400 to cover the medical issues.

Original poster
BoysRule · 11/08/2021 20:53

Thanks everyone. I still don't see from replies how having it now would change any of the above scenarios. If we were to get ill and couldn't go, before the full balance is due we would only lose the deposit.

My concern is how much could change between now and then that would mean Ts & Cs to do with COVID would be irrelevant or void. If I were to get insurance just before the full balance was due I would know much more about the situation and current relevant conditions.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 11/08/2021 20:55

Have you checked the T&Cs for cancellations as late as 3 weeks before? You might still be liable for some of the holiday cost

PatricksRum · 12/08/2021 05:29

@BoysRule

Thanks everyone. I still don't see from replies how having it now would change any of the above scenarios. If we were to get ill and couldn't go, before the full balance is due we would only lose the deposit.

My concern is how much could change between now and then that would mean Ts & Cs to do with COVID would be irrelevant or void. If I were to get insurance just before the full balance was due I would know much more about the situation and current relevant conditions.

It's been explained very clearly.

You may have paid a low cost deposit and actually be liable for more charges the nearer departure date approaches, even before full balance is due.

Soontobe60 · 12/08/2021 06:03

@BoysRule

Thanks everyone. I still don't see from replies how having it now would change any of the above scenarios. If we were to get ill and couldn't go, before the full balance is due we would only lose the deposit.

My concern is how much could change between now and then that would mean Ts & Cs to do with COVID would be irrelevant or void. If I were to get insurance just before the full balance was due I would know much more about the situation and current relevant conditions.

The thing is, holiday insurance isn’t just about cover for Covid. Most travel companies now take Covid into account - that’s how they’re getting back their customers. Do double check the terms of your payments. It may say payment is due 6 weeks before departure, but that cancellation from 10 weeks before departure will incur charges. You can’t get insurance cover for any event that has happened. So if the rules over isolation, foe example, change before you’ve got insurance, you won’t then be able to get insurance to cover that rule change. The easiest thing to do is get insurance now to cover for all eventualities for peace of mind.
Soontobe60 · 12/08/2021 06:11

@BoysRule

Thanks everyone. I still don't see from replies how having it now would change any of the above scenarios. If we were to get ill and couldn't go, before the full balance is due we would only lose the deposit.

My concern is how much could change between now and then that would mean Ts & Cs to do with COVID would be irrelevant or void. If I were to get insurance just before the full balance was due I would know much more about the situation and current relevant conditions.

Here’s a link to Tui’s website for an example that shows what balances are due if you cancel. www.tui.co.uk/destinations/faq/how-much-will-it-cost-to-cancel-my-holiday?catId=265&subcatId=267&docId=860
CeeceeBloomingdale · 12/08/2021 07:14

I'm not sure what you're missing as the replies have been unanimous. Simply put:

  1. it might cost you more than the deposit to cancel, read the terms and conditions
  1. something might happen between now and them which prevents you travelling
  1. insurance policies will not cover more in the future, but if you buy one now it will lock in the current terms
countrygirl99 · 12/08/2021 07:27

You issued off one of ghd party may develop a condition ghat would increase the premium if you took out yhd policy later.
OP if you go you still need to get insurance skylight as well get it sooner and stand ygdcchance of getting some of any cancellation charges back.

Original poster
BoysRule · 12/08/2021 07:37

Thanks everyone, I'm getting insurance today.

OP posts:
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