Wintersports Destination Ideas for 2023

Whether you want to take to skis or a snowboard, or maybe go cross-country on a snow mobile or even by sled – we’ve picked some delectable destinations for the coming season! 

Whistler Canada Ski Image

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Skiing and snowboarding

Where: Whistler, Canada

When: November through to April (this is when the slopes are at their most quiet!)

Why you should go: It is a legendary place to take to the snow! The resort is home to over 200 trails in over 8000 acres, and it is regarded as a backcountry paradise for skiers and snowboarders alike. It was also good enough for the Olympics! If that wasn’t enough – and we know it isn’t, the apres scene is equally legendary.

Heli-skiing

Where: Himachal Pradesh, India

When: January through to March

Why you should go: The views are incredible! Not only do you get to soak up the views from up in the sky, but you will start your run on a drop 5000 metres up in the mountains with the Himalayan peaks towering above you! Then you’ll get to experience perfect powder all the way down, through towering forest. To top it off, the vibrant culture of the Kullu Valley will seal it as an experience of a lifetime.

Harris Mountains Heli Skiing

Image Courtesy of powderhounds.com

Cross-country skiing

Where: Peer Gynt Trail, Norway

When: February and March

Why you should go: Norway is the birthplace of cross-country skiing, and the Peer Gynt trail is truly iconic. The trail itself is approx 80km long, reaching from Espedalen Valley to Skeikampen mountain resort. Guides will take you though terrain that includes frozen lakes, remote valleys and peaceful woodlands, stopping on the way to stay in lodges so you can explore other trails along the way.

Snowmobiling

Where: Langjökull Iceland

When: March to June (Icelandic spring, when the weather is more pleasant)

Why you should go: Translating as The Long Glacier you know what to expect here! It may not be the largest glacier in Iceland, but it is thicker and is less likely to be affected by local volcanic eruptions! Expect pristine snow, sweeping vistas, and ice valleys across near on 1000 square km of seemly infinite powder.

Snowmobile Image

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Get travel insurance for wintersports activities and adventures before you go!

Call us on 01892 833338 to arrange competitively priced comprehensive wintersports & ski insurance or get a quote online.

Posted in Destination Guide, Sports and Activities Abroad, Travel Advice | Comments Off on Wintersports Destination Ideas for 2023

What insurance do you need for a ski holiday?

If you are heading off to the slopes this season, you need to get yourself some specialist wintersports travel insurance. Read on to find out what it is, what it covers, and how it could save you a small fortune on your next holiday!

Ski Insurance Image by Daniel Frank CC0

Image by Daniel Frank CC0

You need a different insurance for skiing!

Regular travel insurance won’t provide the cover you need on a ski holiday. Put simply, a ski holiday carries far more risk when it comes to injuries and losses that other types of holiday, so you need a specialist insurance policy that covers those risks.

Wintersports travel insurance does just that. Sustaining a serious injury in near inaccessible places is a potentially bankrupting experience without the right  travel insurance. In addition to that, you will want a policy that specifically insures the loss or damage of expensive ski equipment – whether it is yours or hired, and compensation for piste closures.

Does travel insurance cover ski passes?

Regular travel insurance will not cover ski passes, but wintersports policies will. Whether they are lost or stolen, and even if they go unused due to piste closures, your passes will be covered.

Does a GHIC or EHIC cover skiing?

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), currently replacing the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) entitles the holder to the same level of medical care, at the same cost, as a resident of that country. It in no way guarantees free medical treatment and the UK Government states:


“Your UK GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. You should take out private travel insurance before your trip. [The GHIC] may not cover all health costs and never covers being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation).” Find out more at gov.uk


So, if you find yourself needing a mountain rescue or need to be flown back home to the UK, don’t expect your GHIC to cover those expenses! Find out more about GHICs here.

What does wintersports travel insurance include?

As well as the usual things covered by travel insurance such as lost or stolen baggage or passports, cancellations of holidays and flights, Wintersports & Ski Insurance covers:

  • Mountain rescue
  • Repatriation
  • Accidental injury to others – easy on skis!
  • Lost, damaged or stolen ski equipment
  • Lost, stolen, or unused ski passes
  • Piste closures

What is classed as a wintersport on travel insurance?

All sorts of amazing activities are covered in our Wintersports & Ski Insurance! Here are a few examples:

  • On-piste & off-piste skiing and snowboarding
  • Cross country skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Tobogganing
  • Heli-skiing
  • Glacier walking

But loads of other activities are covered – even dry ski slopes and ice skating!

Benefits of Wintersport & Ski Travel Insurance with Worldwideinsure.com

Description oi Benefits of wintersports travel insurance

Get an instant online quote or call us on 01892 833338 to arrange competitively priced comprehensive ski travel insurance for your next snowy adventure!

 

Stay safe and avoid injury on the slopes! Check out these articles to find out how:

The most common ski injuries and how to avoid them

Prepping for a safe ski holiday – how to get fit and ready for action!

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10 of the Best Money-Saving Cruise Travel Hacks

After booking a luxury cruise of a lifetime you’ll probably want to make savings wherever you can! Here are some top tips from seasoned cruisers!

Cruise ship image sea sky boats

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  1. Make your own excursion arrangements. With a little research and fore-thought you can plan your on-shore time in a budget-friendly manner. Whether it is booking with a shore-side excursion company or working out transport and your own itinerary you could end up saving a LOT of money.
  1. Get a better cabin by bidding for a cabin upgrade. It doesn’t always happen, but on most cruises there are luxurious cabins and suites that remain unbooked. Closer to departure day the cruise company will want to get these filled by offering them for an inexpensive upgrade fee to those booked in cheaper cabins. You might get a great deal, and the cruise company are left with a standard cabin that is easier to sell before departure day!
  1. Opt for the Beverage Pack as drinks on board do not come cheap! For the most part this is usually just for juice, water, coffee and tea, but there are ones available that cover soft drinks and alcoholic beverages too. The key is to find out what is included and whether it is worth the cost.
  1. Pack a “mini-shop” as part of your luggage. The generous luggage allowance means that you can easily bring snacks and drinks on board to save yourself a fair bit of money during the cruise. Soft drinks, wine and cases of water are quite normal for people to bring to the cabin. Don’t forget that you can also bring refillable water bottles for use at hydration stations too.

TOP TIP: Get cruise travel insurance! To find out why – head on over to our article: what type of insurance do I need for a cruise?


  1. Buy a wi-fi pack before boarding day. There is often a discount for packages bought ahead of time. Even with no discount a wi-fi package is likely to be more cost effective if you like to keep up to date online!
  1. Wait for free wi-fi or data roaming when in port. You can save even more by opting out of the ship wi-fi completely and only going online when back near land. It is a great excuse for a digital detox as well as saving money.
  1. Look out for embarkment day discounts. These are simply discounts offered on day 1 of the cruise as it is a slow day for spa bookings and the like. Port days are also a good time to check in and see if there are any discounts because of fewer people being on board.
  1. Oh yes – you can also skip excursions and on-shore adventures. It’s ok to not want to disembark at every stop – you can make the most of a quiet cruise liner and enjoy the on-board facilities you have already paid for!
  1. Book your next cruise, or at least pay the deposit while you are still on board. You may well pay less deposit, and you are very likely to be given on-board credit for your next trip for being a loyal customer.
  1. Book through a travel agent. While you can get some great saving booking your next trip while onboard, quite often a travel agent will be able to get add-ons, discounts and perks that will save money in a different way on your trip. Some seasoned cruisers say you can move an existing direct cruise liner booking over to an agent and still keep the discount or perks you got onboard!

Get your cruise travel insurance policy as soon as your holiday is booked!

Ensure your trip of a lifetime is memorable for the right reasons with cruise travel insurance – call our team on 01982833338 or get a quick quote online.

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Winter Destination Wish-List 2023

With the summer finally falling into submission, it is time to set our sights on the next season for travel. Here are our top destinations for Winter 2023, incorporating the colours of nature, a spattering of snow, seasonal markets, and an option for sun seekers of course!

Nara, Japan

Nara Japan Image

Image by Kanenori CC0

The autumnal shades that hit the Maple trees in Nara from mid-November to early December are awe-inspiring. So much so that there is even an Autumn Leaves Festival that celebrates the beautiful hues at this time of year. Best views are said to be from Murouji Temple. From December you could even incorporate a daytrip northward to Jigokundani Monkey Park to see Macaques enjoying the hot springs in the snow.

Tromso, Norway

Tromso Norway Travel Insurance Northern Lights Photos Image

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This is quite simply the best place to see the Northern Lights, aka Aurora Borealis in the whole wide world. At 350km north of the arctic circle it is one of the most northerly places to be to witness this natural wonder. Make sure you have travel insurance before you go, especially if you are planning to explore the fjords and mountains of Tromso!

Yukon, Canada

dog sledding wintersports insurance

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Evoking images of a rugged and back-to-nature way of life, Yukon is the destination of choice for anyone who wants to ditch the intricacies of modern-life and get back to basics with the elements and animals. Husky adventure holidays are just the ticket for this kind of thing – stay in a cabin, look after the pack, and have a go at mushing on freshly fallen snow.

Lapland, Finland

Christmas Market Image

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Christmas markets galore, and winter activities to keep the whole family entertained! Lapland is a magical place to head with or without children. Top winter activities include snowboarding, skiing, and dogsledding. Make sure you have your wintersports travel insurance before you go!

Baa Atoll, Maldives

Maldives Image beach palm trees sea

Image by asad.photo CC0

Whether it is in search of an alternative white christmas – swapping snow for sand – or somewhere to see in the New Year in bliss, Baa Atoll offers the best the Maldives has to offer. It boasts excellent diving, canoeing and SUP experiences and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Plus you get the fun of a 35 minute sea-plane journey from Male!

Get your wintersports travel insurance policy!

Ensure your winter getaway is memorable for all the right reasons – call our team on 01982833338 or get a quick quote online. Single trip, multi trip and longstay policies available worldwide.

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What Type Of Travel Insurance Do I Need For A Cruise?

Most cruise operators require that the traveller has comprehensive travel insurance. While that doesn’t necessarily have to be cruise-specific insurance, you’ll probably find that one tailored to cruises does indeed offer the best value for money due to the unique nature of this type of holiday – read on to find out why!

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Cruises are more expensive on average per person which means you’ll need Travel Insurance that can meet the costs if things don’t go to plan.  

Cruises are the ultimate all-inclusive package holiday. You have travel, accommodation, entertainment, food and drink all wrapped up in a luxurious trip of a lifetime. And this usually comes at quite a cost.

It’s for this reason that travel insurance tailored specifically for cruises is the best option. It is designed to offer adequate cover should things not go to plan, so you don’t suffer the financial impact from the theft or loss of personal belongings and passports, delayed departures and trip cancellations, or the costs of medical assistance.

On the open sea everywhere is a long way from home! Whether you are in the Med, Caribbean, or even the Arctic you are going to need travel insurance that can get you back home if needed.

While medical assistance is available on every cruise, should you fall very ill or get badly injured you will need to get medical treatment on-shore. This could mean a helicopter transfer or a boat charter, and even repatriation back home. None of these things come cheap, and quite often not included in standard travel insurance policies.

Cruise travel insurance should come with a helpline that can assist with getting the medical help you need, including speaking with medical professionals anywhere in the world.

Extended travel comes with extended risks. You need travel insurance that can accommodate longstay travel arrangements, adequate cover for additional baggage, and the added risks associated with multiple stops, as well as excursion, activities and sports.

The longer you are travelling for, the more likely you are to encounter adversity. The risk of loss or theft of belongings goes up, as does the risk of injury from on and offshore activities and excursions. And as you travel from port to port encountering different countries, the risk of missing a departure rises considerably too!

Cruise-specific travel insurance can provide cover for these increased risks and also provide cover for a range of sports, activities and adventures that may be included in your cruise. The extended travel means you are also more likely to have taken extra baggage to last the trip – which requires additional cover too!

When should you buy travel insurance for a cruise?

As soon as you book your holiday! The sooner you take out insurance, the sooner you are covered. It isn’t just the time on the trip that travel insurance provides cover for – it can be there for peace of mind should anything happen in the lead up to your cruise which could cause the trip to be cancelled, postponed, delayed or missed.

What Can Worldwide Insure Cruise Travel Insurance Cover?

  • 24hr multilingual emergency helpline to liaise with doctors and hospitals overseas.
  • Medical treatments and repatriation.
  • Sports and activities.
  • Loss or theft of personal belongings.
  • Impact of missed, delayed or cancelled travel.
  • Cruise interruption and Cabin confinement.

Get your cruise travel insurance policy as soon as your holiday is booked!

Ensure your trip of a lifetime is memorable for the right reasons – call our team on 01982833338 or get a quick quote online.

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Stress-busting Travel Yoga – Ideal for Airports!

Unless you are booked into a luxury lounge, waiting around at an airport can be a less than blissful experience. Here are some top movement and mindfulness tips that might just get you into a more peaceful space while travelling!

Image by Gary Skirrow CC0

What is Travel Yoga?

Yoga is a practice that unites breathwork and movement to bring about a state of mindfulness and relaxation – and guess what – you don’t necessarily need a mat and fancy leggings to do it! Travel yoga embraces minimalism and subtlety, and can be done ANYWHERE!

1. Stretching it out with airport asana

Asana is the part of yoga that you are likely most familiar with, it is all about movement. Doing a full sun salutation whilst waiting for your flight would be a bold move, but there are elements that we can take from a regular yoga practice that will help ease tension in the body.

  • Stand with feet hip width apart, really feel your feet on the floor, draw up through your spine, roll your shoulders up towards your ears then down and back before pulling up through the crown of the head.
  • Gently drop your right ear to right shoulder then left ear to left shoulder then roll the head taking chin to chest and back again.
  • Come back to centre then interlace your hands in front of you and sweep them up to the sky, taking your gaze skyward too.
  • Once there take a deep breath in, push down with your left foot and exhale with a stretch over towards the right. Inhale to centre, push down with the right foot as you exhale your stretch to the left, inhale to centre and release your hands.
  • Give your arms a gentle shake, maybe swing gently side to side, and then interlace your hands behind your back, drawing fingers towards the floor as you squeeze shoulder blades together and open up across the chest.
  • Release, take a deep inhale and with an exhale tip at the hips to fold forward and let your arms and head hang heavy, taking a gentle swing from side to side. 

 

2. Take a seat, steady, stable & comfortable

Ancient yoga texts reference just one yoga pose – a steady, stable and comfortable seated position. You don’t have to be sat in some pretzel shape to achieve it either – in fact the main requirement is just a straight spine, so grab yourself a seat for your next step to airport inner peace!

  • Take a seat, placing feet on the floor, hip width apart and knees at ninety degrees.
  • Ensure your spine is stacked above your pelvis, once again drawing up through the spine all the way to the crown of the head.
  • Chin should be slightly tucked to get length in the back of the neck.
  • Roll the shoulders up towards the ears, then down and back to open up through the chest.
  • Hands can rest gently palms down on the thighs.
  • Relax the jaw, soften the cheeks and brow and if it feels good, gently close the eyes too.

3. Find your breath – airport pranayama

Pranayama is a yogic word for breathwork that builds up energetic reserves. Think of it like a power-nap but using nothing more than mindful breathing techniques!

  • Prepare by gently breathing in through the nose then exhaling through the mouth. Repeat 3 times.
  • Bring your focus to your diaphragm. As you inhale feel the belly expand, and as you exhale, draw the belly in, navel towards the spine, expelling all the air you can but without causing any tension.
  • Continue to inhale and exhale like this for a few breaths, ideally for a slow count of 4 in, and a slow count of 4 out, and then let your breathing return to normal.

4. Go within – the practice of pratyahara

There are 8 limbs of a yoga practice – the first two are around social ethics and personal practices, the third is asana (poses), fourth is pranayama (breathwork), and fifth we have pratyahara, turning inward. This is one of the steps that leads us closer to state of inner peace and meditation.

  • With the breath settled and gentle turn your attention inwards. This could be to the gentle hum in your ears, lights, colours and shapes behind the closed eyes, or a sensation in the body such as the feeling of the breath gently coming in through the nose and out through the nose.
  • Keep your attention focussed on that one thing, and should you mind wander to internal thoughts or external distractions, bring your attention back inwards. 

5. And time to come back to the room!

Rub your palms and bring them up to your eyes, lift the heels of the hands and gently blink your eyes open! Take a nice big breath in and let it all out.

Now you should be stress free and ready for the next step of your journey!


Take the stress out of your next trip with travel insurance from worldwideinsure.com

Policies personalised to your needs providing cover for single trips, longstay adventures, city and breaks and holidays the world over! Call now on 0189283338 or get a quick online quote.


Writer bio

Resident travel writer Kerry McCarthy is also a yoga and breathwork instructor. To find out more visit CoolBreezeOverTheMountain.com.

Kerry McCarthy Triangle Pose Image

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Car Hire Insurance Excess for Holiday Car Hire

What is it? Do you need it? How much do you need to budget for it on holiday? And why don’t I just get the insurance offered by the car hire company? If any of these questions are bugging you – we bring all the answers right here!

car hire excess insurance

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The number one question is: Do I really need Car Hire Excess Insurance?

And the answer is YES! Without this type of insurance – if you return the vehicle damaged, even if it was not your fault, you will be held liable for the excess charge set by the rental company.

This particular type of insurance gives you the power to claim back the charges. There are other benefits when you get your policy through worldwideinsure.com too, depending on the type of cover you choose.

The second question that everyone wants to know is: Why don’t I get the policy offered by the car hire company?

Put simply – it will not give you the same level of cover as a policy from us. The excess insurance provided by your holiday car hire company has a very long list of exclusions. If you lose the keys, suffer a tiny dink or two from loose chippings, or something happens to the tires, windscreen or underside – even if it is not your fault – you will have to foot the repair bill as well as pay the excess on the claim.

Holiday car hire excess insurance isn’t as expensive as you might think (in answer to the third question that everyone asks!)

You can get excess insurance for your holiday car hire for less than a tenner (*accurate at time of going to press!). A small price to pay considering a that paying for repairs could be thousands of pounds.

Find out why car hire excess insurance from worldwideinsure.com is different!

And see our very own Norbert in action! Head over to What is Car Hire Excess Insurance? Or visit our Car Hire Excess Insurance FAQ Page. Alternatively, call us for a quote! 0189283338

*PRICE CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLICATION – PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FIGURE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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Kas or Kalkan? Travelling With Kids To Turkey

Deciding on a summer break to the Antalya coast in Turkey, raised one big question for two families travelling together – Kas or Kalkan? Let their experience guide you to choose the best destination out of the two for you!

Kalkan villa view with pool, sea and mountains

© 43kcreative.com

Kalkan

Set in the the province of Antalya, stunning scenery is guaranteed. This area is also known as the turquoise coast (and the seas here really are a stunning shade of blue), as well as the Turkish Riviera.

Kalcan itself is surrounded by the arid Taurus mountains, and is one big very steep hill from top to bottom! But don’t let this put you off if you feel hiking up and down hills isn’t your jam, because here no one does that anyway. It is so steep that everyone hops in a taxi to get from top to bottom, or drives their own car or if you are brave enough a moped!

The steep incline means that the views are just incredible. Whether looking away from the coast at all the gorgeous houses and villas that seem to trickle down towards the sea, or from higher up across the sheltered bay and the twinkling Mediterranean Sea.

Kalkan street view with plants and lights image

© 43kcreative.com

Where to go and what to see in Kalkan

  • Terrace restaurants and bars – these were a firm favourite with our group, not only because of the stunning views across the town and the entire bay, but also because nothing feels better than a warm evening breeze while dining alfresco!
  • Beach clubs – a family-friendly way to spend the day in the shade of a cabana right next to the sea. Most have easy access to the sea either by being on the beach, or by having platforms that lead to the sea as well as having a pool.
sea view kalkan beach park image

© 43kcreative.com

  • The weekly local market – a bustling space selling spices, fresh fruit and veg, and all the genuine fakes you could dream of! You can also bag yourself some freshly made turkish treats to keep your energy up as you go round. Only on a Thursday.
  • Arts & crafts boutiques – there is so much local talent hidden among the many winding streets in Kalkan. Look for handmade and artisan pieces – pottery, glass, and macrame.
  • Petara historical site – just a short drive from the town is Petara, the ancient capital of Lycia – a glorious place to be as the sun sets, with a wealth of tumbled down ruins and semi restored areas and amphitheatres complete with very friendly goats!
Petara Goat Image Turkey

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Is Kalkan good for a family holiday?

A resounding yes from us all! We were fortunate enough to have a villa with a pool – so plenty of space to chill and keep cool until the temperatures dipped enough to venture out. The sea was safe and gentle for the little ones, and the Beach Club we spent a day at had a wealth of water toys (sea tractor and trampoline!) to keep the kids occupied for hours.

All the restaurants and bars were super kid-friendly too – and while we didn’t stay out late it certainly seemed safe enough while we were there. For older kids and adventurous adults there were a range of outdoor adventures to choose from such as mountain biking, parasailing, jet skiing, and boat hire.

Al fresco dining in kalkan Turkey image

© 43kcreative.com

Kas – a better destination than Kalkan?

It seems like everyone talks about Kas more than Kalkan – and on a day trip there we could kind of see why. For a start the atmosphere is more gentle, less touristy, and has areas with more of an authentic local feel. The inclines are also less intimidating and it isn’t too much trouble to wander from the car park by the harbour right up to the highest street in the town.

Once again, the setting is absolutely beautiful as it sits along the same part of the turquoise coast, and it has a wealth of wonderful boutiques to explore and a more than its fair share of terrace restaurants to enjoy spectacular views across the harbour! All in all it seemed more grown up, less glitzy and less like a place only tourists frequent!

Boats in Kas Harbour Turkey image

© 43kcreative.com

Is Kas a good destination for a family holiday?

I guess it all depends on the vibe you are looking for! It is a more gentle, more Turkish version of Kalkan and I would say more relaxed too. Would the kids think it is better? Chances are the bright lights and more accessible beach clubs of Kalkan would get their vote!

Kas Restaurant Terrace with sea views image

© 43kcreative.com

Holiday Profile:

Turkish villa with pool

© 43kcreative.com

Worldwide travel insurance to Turkey

Get your worldwide travel insurance before you head off on your next trip – annual cover at great rates for families that love adventure. Get an online quote or call us on 0189283338

 

Travel Writer Bio:

Kerry McCarthy is a Writer, Editor, Artist & Breathwork Instructor who loves to travel with family, friends and also solo. You can find out more about her adventures over on instagram at @kerrymccarthystars

Dalaman Airport Turkey Image

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GHIC: the new EHIC – Health Insurance on Holiday

Over 5 million European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) expired in 2022 and are now replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Here is all you need to know – including why you still need travel insurance!

GHIC travel insurance image

Image by Dusan_Cvetanovic CC0

What is a GHIC and where can I use it?

It is a Global Health Insurance Card, and although it uses the word Global, the GHIC is in fact only valid in EU countries (with the exception of a few*) and in most cases Switzerland too. It is not going to be of any use anywhere else in the world.

Fun fact: It’s all in the name. The Global part of the name signifies that the holder is not from an EU country. European Health Insurance Cards still exist – now called UK EHICS – so named because they are for use by citizens that have rights under the withdrawal agreement to access healthcare in EU countries). The GHIC – formally known as a UK GHIC – is a health insurance card for UK residents, no longer part of the EU, to access treatment in EU countries.

What does the UK Global Health Insurance Card cover?

Pretty much the same as the EHIC, but not as comprehensive in its cover. As a rule it entitles the holder to free or reduced cost state-provided healthcare where medically necessary. The wording here is key:

  • State provided may or may not be free or reduced, the charges will be the same as for a national of that country.
  • Free or reduced healthcare may not be the same things that are free on the NHS.
  • Only treatments deemed medically necessary qualify for cover – if it could wait until you get back from your trip, or you have travelled in order to get treatment then you won’t be entitled to special rates.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?

Yes! The above bullet points are just some of the reasons why the .gov site states:

“Your UK GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. You should take out private travel insurance before your trip. [The GHIC] may not cover all health costs and never covers being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation).” Find out more at gov.uk

Outside the UK many medical treatments do not come for free – even for citizens of that country. Additional charges may be added to a hospital bill that we aren’t used to seeing in the UK, including charges for equipment, supplies, food, medicines… and that can all add up.

GHICs also won’t cover things like mountain rescue if you are injured on a ski trip for example, and the big expenses such as medical repatriation are also not covered.

Travel Insurance also offers things a medical insurance card can’t travel insurance for existing medical conditions, help if your passport or belongings are lost or stolen, costs incurred from cancelled flights or bookings, and even if personal circumstances mean that you are no longer able to travel. Travel insurance is a product that compliments a GHIC, providing cover and peace of mind especially for existing health conditions and unforeseen circumstances beyond falling ill or being injured.

Can I still use my EHIC?

If it is still valid, then yes – the last EHICS were issued in 2020 (the GHIC replaced it in January 2021) and have been allowed to run up to their 5 year expiry date. However, all EHICs now fall under the restricted use of GHICs, so no longer valid in non-EU European countries e.g. Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. As stated above, UK EHICS are also available to those who have been allowed special access under the withdrawal agreement.

GHICs are free – so get one!

There are a few sites out there that are charging people a handling fee to get a GHIC, this is not necessary – GHICS are available directly from via the NHS and they are FREE – you can apply for GHIC on the NHS website. Once you apply you will be sent an email with all the details you need until your card arrives, make sure you take your card with you while on holiday – if you find that you’ve lost it or left it behind you’ll need to apply for a temporary certificate.

*The GHIC isn’t valid in Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. It is not valid for treatment in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein either.

Don’t forget your travel insurance!

Travel insurance is a product that compliments a GHIC, providing cover and peace of mind especially for existing health conditions and unforeseen circumstances beyond falling ill or being injured.

Get your travel insurance quote online today.

 

This article was originally published in October 2022. The content has been updated.

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Free Travel Insurance With Your Bank? Why Packaged Policies Don’t Always Pay Out

While it may actually be possible to get a free lunch, free travel insurance policies as part of a packaged bank account aren’t the perk they appear to be. Read on to find out what they really do and DON’T cover.

Travel Insurance Airport Image

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Bank Accounts with Travel Insurance Included – what’s the catch?

The first alarm bell that sounds should be about the lack of information you give to get that travel insurance! Chances are, with any other insurance purchase, you would have spent a while on the phone or filling out forms that might feel like you are sharing your life story.

There is a reason for that. The insurer wants to make sure that the risk is minimal in relation to the premium a person has paid. The higher the risk, the higher the premium the insurer will ask you to pay.

So for FREE travel insurance…

What kind of risk level is the bank expecting? The answer is VERY VERY low.

What is (and who is) really covered with Free Bank Travel Insurance?

Cover that can be “purchased” with just one click means the bank is making assumptions. The main one being that you won’t read the small print – which will clearly state whether or not it will provide the right cover to meet your needs. The most common criteria are:

  • Within a certain age-group – the younger the more likely
  • No pre-existing medical conditions
  • Not planning any sports or activities

What happens if something happens on holiday and I only have Free Travel Insurance?

As long as you are the right age, and it has nothing to do with a pre-existing condition (as long as they don’t mind that you didn’t tell them about the pre-existing condition, as in some policies that can invalidate the insurance), and the reason you need to claim wasn’t anything to do with an activity or sport, you are probably alright and may make a successful claim.

Having said that – claims are usually rejected over something that wasn’t agreed on, probably COULDN’T be agreed on because it was a one-click-wonder policy.

Whichever way – if you find out that you aren’t covered, you could well be kissing goodbye to your savings to sort out the situation.

What should I do if I already have Free Travel Insurance with my bank?

Read the policy details and make sure that you are VERY SURE that you have the cover you think you need. If you have any doubts, contact your policy provider.

The best way to have the confidence you are covered is to get travel insurance from a specialist provider. It’s not like you’ll be losing money by not using your Free Travel Insurance, and you may well save a lot of money by being covered by the right policy in the event that something goes wrong on holiday.

For more information about comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for what you need contact us at worldwideinsure.com!

Posted in Travel Advice, Travel Insurance, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Free Travel Insurance With Your Bank? Why Packaged Policies Don’t Always Pay Out