Travel Insurance: What It Covers, What It Never Covers

Travel insurance is bought in a hurry at checkout and read for the first time after something goes wrong. Nearly every refused claim traces back to a clause that was there all along.

What the cover is actually for

The part that justifies the purchase is medical expenses abroad. Everything else — cancellation, baggage, delay — is comparatively small money. A serious illness or accident in a country where you pay for treatment, plus repatriation, is the scenario that turns a holiday into a life-changing bill. Judge policies primarily on that limit and on whether repatriation is included.

The exclusions that refuse most claims

1. Undeclared pre-existing conditions. The most common reason for refusal. If you have a condition, declare it, even if the trip seems unrelated. Non-disclosure can void the whole policy, not just that claim.
2. Alcohol. Injuries sustained while intoxicated are widely excluded, and insurers do check.
3. Unattended belongings. A bag left on a beach or beside a café chair is usually not covered.
4. Activities deemed hazardous. Skiing, diving, quad bikes and even some hiking need an add-on. Riding a scooter without the correct licence is typically excluded outright.
5. Foreseeable events. Booking travel to somewhere already under a government advisory, or after a named storm has formed, is generally not covered.

Practical checks before you pay

Confirm the medical limit is high — the sums involved in serious treatment abroad are large. Check the excess per claim and per person. Verify the baggage limit is per item, not just in total, since single-item caps are often low. If you travel more than twice a year, price an annual multi-trip policy; it is frequently cheaper than two single trips.

If something happens

Call the insurer's emergency line before receiving non-urgent treatment where possible — many policies require authorisation, and paying first can complicate reimbursement. Get a police report within any stated window for theft; without it, most baggage claims fail. Keep receipts, boarding passes and written confirmation of delays. Claims succeed on documentation.

Policy terms, limits and exclusions vary significantly between insurers and change over time. Read the policy wording before purchase. This is general information, not insurance advice.