Your Complete Travel Insurance Checklist
1. Check Your Destination Coverage
Ensure your policy covers the specific countries you're visiting. Some policies exclude certain destinations due to travel warnings or high-risk areas.
Action: Check the FCO travel advice and confirm your destinations are included in your policy coverage area.
2. Declare Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Failing to declare medical conditions can invalidate your entire policy. This includes conditions you're being treated for or have been diagnosed with.
Critical: Even minor conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes must be declared. Don't assume anything is too minor to mention.
3. Verify Activity Coverage
Standard policies often exclude adventure sports and activities. Check if your planned activities are covered or if you need additional coverage.
Common exclusions: Skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, motorcycle riding
4. Review Coverage Limits
Check that coverage limits are adequate for your needs, especially for medical expenses, personal belongings, and cancellation costs.
Recommended Minimums:
- • Medical: £2-10 million
- • Personal belongings: £1,500+
- • Cancellation: Full trip cost
USA/Canada:
- • Medical: £10+ million
- • Higher costs for treatment
- • Consider enhanced coverage
5. Check Age Limits and Restrictions
Many policies have age limits or require additional premiums for older travelers. Some also have restrictions for pregnant travelers.
Common age thresholds: 65, 70, 75, and 80 years. Check if enhanced medical screening is required.
6. Understand Excess and Deductibles
Know how much you'll need to pay before your insurance kicks in. This varies by claim type and can significantly impact your out-of-pocket costs.
Tip: Some policies allow you to choose higher excess amounts for lower premiums, but ensure you can afford the excess if you need to claim.
7. Review Cancellation and Curtailment Terms
Understand what circumstances allow you to cancel or cut short your trip and claim compensation. Not all reasons are covered.
Usually Covered:
- • Serious illness/injury
- • Death of close family
- • Redundancy
- • Jury service
Usually Excluded:
- • Change of mind
- • Work commitments
- • Fear of flying
- • Financial circumstances
8. Check Personal Belongings Coverage
Verify single item limits and total coverage for your valuables. Many policies have low limits for items like phones, cameras, and jewelry.
Remember: Take photos of valuable items and keep receipts. Consider separate gadget insurance for expensive electronics.
9. Verify Emergency Contact Information
Save emergency contact numbers in your phone and carry physical copies. Include your insurer's 24/7 emergency assistance number.
Essential info to carry: Policy number, emergency assistance number, your GP's contact details, and any medical information.
10. Download and Read Your Policy Document
Don't just rely on the summary. Read the full policy terms and conditions to understand exactly what is and isn't covered.
Pro tip: Download the policy to your phone so you can access it even without internet connection while traveling.
Final Pre-Departure Checklist
24-48 Hours Before Departure
- ✅ Check FCO travel advice for any last-minute changes
- ✅ Ensure you have emergency contact numbers saved
- ✅ Take photos of important documents (passport, driving license, insurance policy)
- ✅ Check your destination hasn't been added to exclusion lists
- ✅ Confirm you have adequate medical supplies if needed
- ✅ Leave copies of important documents with someone at home
Important Reminder
Never travel without insurance. Even a minor medical emergency abroad can cost thousands of pounds, and trip cancellations can result in significant financial loss.
About the Author: Andrew Myers, FCA-registered insurance adviser with 15 years' experience analyzing UK life insurance policies. Data sourced from Legal & General, ABI, and ONS 2024-2025 reports.