Why Compare Travel Insurance? What to Look For

Quick summary for busy readers:

• Travel insurance policies vary a lot in price and cover, so comparing before you buy is the only way to know you’re actually getting good value.
• The cheapest policy isn’t always the best one. It’s worth looking at what’s covered, what’s excluded, excess limits and whether the company behind the policy can actually pay out if you need to claim.
• Comparing lets you match a policy to your actual situation – whether that’s a family discount, a group booking, or specific cover for something like skiing or an adventure activity.

 

You wouldn’t walk into a store and buy the first pair of shoes you laid eyes on; you’d try on a few pairs. Maybe even go to another store and try a few pairs of shoes there too, all to ensure you get the perfect fit.

Well, travel insurance deserves the same treatment. Especially as it can save you from significant costs if something goes wrong during a trip.

If you’re guilty of purchasing whatever policy pops up first because it’s convenient, we’re here to tell you it’s surprisingly easy to compare travel insurance and find the best possible cover for your trip at a reasonable price. You just need to know what to look out for…

What to look for when choosing travel insurance?

Travel insurance (like shoes) isn’t one-size-fits-all, and policies that look similar on the surface can differ enormously once you dig into the details. Here’s exactly what you should look out for and compare:

Consider your needs

Start with your own situation rather than jumping straight to price. Are you travelling solo, as a couple, or with a family? Is this a single trip, or would an annual multi-trip policy suit you better? Are you planning any adventure activities that might need extra cover?

The answers to these questions matter because some circumstances come with genuine discounts or added benefits. Families and larger groups (often ten or more people) can often access group discounts. If you’re headed to the slopes, a lot of policies don’t include skiing automatically.

Value for money

Travel insurance doesn’t need to cost a fortune but working out what actually represents good value takes a bit of comparison. Using a comparison site like ours is the easiest way to do this properly, since we let you see multiple quotes side by side (meaning you don’t have to manually check individual insurer websites one at a time). That said, value isn’t just about finding the lowest number; it’s about finding the policy that gives you the most relevant cover for the best price.

Cover benefit limits and exclusions

Not all travel insurance is the same, even when two policies are priced similarly. Different insurers set different limits on things like medical cover, luggage, and cancellation benefits, so it’s worth checking these figures specifically rather than assuming a comprehensive policy from one insurer matches a comprehensive policy from another.

Just as important as what’s covered is what isn’t. Exclusions are where a lot of people get caught out, so it’s genuinely worth reading the Policy Wording before you buy, rather than after you need to make a claim.

Emergency assistance

If something does go wrong while you’re overseas, having access to genuine, round-the-clock emergency medical assistance matters more than almost anything else in your policy. Most reputable insurers offer a 24-hour emergency assistance line staffed by people who can actually help coordinate care, not just take a message. It’s worth confirming this is included and understanding how to access it before you travel; you don’t want to be scrambling to find the number mid-emergency.

Excess

Your excess is the amount you need to pay yourself before a claim gets paid out, and it varies a fair bit between insurers – commonly somewhere between $0 and $500 or more, depending on the policy and the type of claim.

Some insurers will let you pay a bit extra upfront to reduce or remove your excess entirely, which can be worth it depending on how likely you think you are to claim. When comparing policies, it’s worth checking the excess just as closely as the premium, since a cheaper policy with a high excess can end up costing you more if you actually need to use it.

Underwriter

The insurer whose name is on the policy isn’t always the company actually paying out your claim; that’s the underwriter’s job and it’s worth knowing who that is before you buy. A policy is only as reliable as the underwriter’s ability to actually pay claims, so make sure you check they’re financially sound.

Reputation

An insurer’s own website and ads will always tell you they’re the best choice. We advise looking past this marketing fluff. Instead, check what real customers actually think and say, either through independent reviews or by asking people you know about their own experiences (or both).