Bank accounts with travel insurance
Travel insurance is often one of those items that’s on the checklist when we head abroad, although it tends to be a chore for most holidaymakers. Browsing deals and filling in forms is not a part of the holiday experience many people enjoy.
One way to make sure you’re covered is to choose a bank account with travel insurance included. For a monthly fee, some current accounts come with other perks besides banking. Travel insurance, breakdown cover and mobile phone insurance are some of the most common ones.
What does travel insurance cover?
Is a bank account with travel insurance right for me?
Do I need travel insurance?
While not mandatory in most parts of the world, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance when going abroad.
Imagine you were injured, unwell or stranded abroad and had no insurance. You could find yourself paying thousands of pounds to treat basic injuries. Alternatively, the cost of transporting you home for treatment could be eye-wateringly high.
What does travel insurance cover?
It depends on the type you choose, but the three areas a typical travel insurance package will cover are:
- Medical treatment
- Trip cancellation
- Lost luggage.
All packages are different though, and the maximum amount insurers will pay out varies from one policy to the next. Your personal circumstances, as well as the type of trip you’re going on, will also be a consideration.
Pre-existing conditions
Always be honest about any pre-existing conditions you have. They may possibly increase your premium, but your cover may not be valid if it turns out you haven’t told your insurance provider about them.
What is a pre-existing condition?
Put simply, a pre-existing condition is something you had before you took out travel insurance. This may be an injury, illness or medical condition.
If you’re unsure whether you need to declare a condition, it’s best to do so and make sure you’re covered.
Choosing travel insurance
The “right” travel insurance package to choose will be different from one person to the next. It will depend on your circumstances and the type of trip you are going on. Here are some of the most common factors that affect travel insurance fees and conditions.
For over-70s
You might be surprised to learn that over-70s are among the most frequently travelling age groups. They tend to pay a little more for their insurance, though.
Quality of cover and access to a 24-hour emergency helpline are among the features to look out for. Some policies will also cover a friend, family member or carer who travels with you.
For medical conditions
If you have a medical condition, it may be worth considering single-trip cover rather than an annual policy.
Unsurprisingly, people with medical conditions usually have to pay more for travel insurance. However, insurers are likely to offer better deals for one-off trips.
For families
Family travel insurance is usually cheaper than insuring every member of your family individually.
Also, some family travel insurance packages will include young children free of charge. If it’s an annual policy, it may cover parents taking a separate trip without the kids.
For cruising
Remember that rescue from a cruise boat won’t be covered by your European/Global Health Insurance Card. You’ll need more than that to stay protected while on a cruise.
Cruises are notorious for cancellations and itinerary changes. Look out for packages that will compensate you for missed parts of your excursion.
If you fall ill and have to be confined to your cabin, your trip may feel like a waste of money. Some travel insurance for cruises will compensate you for this, especially if it leads to a missed port departure.
For skiing
Insurers tend to see skiing holidays as coming with increased risk of injury. Also, like with cruising, being rescued from mountains or slopes isn’t covered by your European/Global Health Insurance Card.
Specialist skiing insurance will cover you for injuries running into millions of pounds. Also, consider the cost of part of your trip being cancelled, or your skiing equipment being lost, damaged or stolen. Your insurance policy should compensate you for all of this.
For pregnancy
Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition with travel insurance. As long as it’s not affecting your health, you should not have to pay more simply for being pregnant. Most airlines will allow you to fly if you are up to 26 weeks pregnant.
If you are more than 28 weeks pregnant, you may not be allowed to board a plane without a note from your doctor.
Is a bank account with travel insurance right for me?
As with most financial products, it depends on your personal circumstances. It’s recommended that you compare the cost and level of policy cover of your existing insurances, with those included in a packaged bank account, to assess suitability.
If you’d like the convenience of a bank account with travel insurance, The Co-operative Bank’s Everyday Extra account may be right for you.
It offers the benefits of a current account, with worldwide travel insurance included. Mobile phone insurance and UK & European breakdown cover are part of the package too. Learn more about our packaged bank account here.
Important things to consider
To conclude, the most important points to consider are:
- What pre-existing conditions do I have that may affect my travel insurance?
- What type of trip am I going on? Does it require specialist cover?
- Am I travelling with my family? Am I likely to make further trips with or without my family later in the year?
- Is my European or Global Health Insurance Card going to offer me sufficient protection if the worst happens?
The Co-operative Bank’s Everyday Extra account includes winter sports cover, as well as cover for personal accidents and emergency medical expenses. Plus, there’s no excess to pay on travel insurance claims.
Find out more about our Everyday Extra packaged bank account and apply today or view all our bank accounts here.
For further information on travel insurance, you can also visit moneyhelper.org.uk.
For information on European/Global Health Insurance Card, visit the NHS Healthcare abroad page.
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