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Compare the UK’s most reputable policies and prices to find the right annual worldwide insurance plan for you.
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What is worldwide travel insurance?
Whether it’s a trip to South America to walk Machu Picchu, or a journey through South Africa to spot the big 5, worldwide travel insurance provides cover for single or multi-trips further afield than Europe. That said, it’s important to have the right policy.
Whilst most insurance providers will provide worldwide travel insurance, it is important to note there are specific policies if you are travelling to the USA, Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
The USA attracts more than 3.8 million UK visitors a year – and with a notoriously expensive healthcare system, it might come as no surprise that some of the biggest claims are by UK residents visiting America. Definitions of worldwide cover can vary by insurance provider so always make sure your desired destination is included in your policy.
What it covers
Possessions
If you find yourself without your phone or bag on a beach in the Bahamas, this will cover you if your belongings are lost, damaged or stolen while you are abroad.
Medical treatment
Similar to most travel insurance policies, this is an important factor of insurance to have due to expensive medical bills. It covers you if you fall ill or are injured on holiday.
Repatriation
If you need to return to the UK due to injury or illness, this covers the cost of transport and other fees.
Holiday disruptions
Sometimes holidays don’t go exactly to plan and you are left with two single beds on your honeymoon. In case anything goes wrong with your travel or accommodation, this will cover any expenses to fix the disruptions.
Cancellation and curtailment
If you need to cut your trip short or cancel it before you set off, this cover will protect you up to a certain amount of the price you paid. It is important to check with your insurance provider what counts as a genuine reason to cancel and the time in which you have to make the claim.
What’s not covered with worldwide travel insurance
Although worldwide insurance covers a broader variety of destinations, there are still certain exclusions to be mindful of when filing a claim. If you do any of these, your claim could be rejected:
Travel outside of guidelines
If your government has advised against travel to certain locations you may not be covered for visits to these places, putting yourself at higher risk if you need to make a claim.
Don’t declare pre-existing medical conditions
It is important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions with your insurance provider, it may result in higher premiums, but if you don’t forewarn your insurer, your policy could be invalidated.
Take part in illegal activity or malicious behaviour
If you make a claim as a result of your own reckless or illegal actions, your insurer is unlikely to accept it - so follow the rules and you won’t be faced with an unpleasant bill.
Don’t get your vaccinations
When travelling overseas, it is imperative to make sure you are fully inoculated - your GP can advise you on what vaccinations you might need depending on where you plan to travel. If you fall ill while abroad to a disease where you haven’t had the recommended medication, then your claim may be rejected.
Use drugs or alcohol
Insurance providers will invalidate a claim if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the time of an accident that you are trying to claim for.
Are there any time limitations?
Worldwide travel insurance can be taken out against a single trip, multi-trip or backpacker travel insurance policy. Worldwide travel insurance covers you almost anywhere on the globe you happen to be - it’s up to you how long you want it for.
Whilst a single trip insurance policy is useful for people who go on holiday once a year, annual or multi-trip insurance will cover you for two or more trips within a 365-day period. It is important to note that each individual trip can't be longer than 31 days. Backpacker insurance might be worth looking into if you’re planning to go away for longer than 31 consecutive days.
What makes worldwide travel insurance different?
Whilst standard insurance policies will cover you in most EU countries, worldwide travel insurance lets you go further afield. Whether you’re going on a single-trip, looking for a multi trip policy, or you’re off backpacking, worldwide travel insurance will cover you overseas.
How to get cheap worldwide travel insurance
The cost of worldwide travel insurance varies from each policyholder and insurance provider. Most worldwide insurance policies start at £29 and varying factors will determine the overall cost. Excluding the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as these countries tend to produce higher premiums due to the exaggerated health care costs.
By comparing insurance quotes at Quidco, you can save money and find cheap worldwide travel insurance policies that suit your travel requirements. You could get up to *£33 cashback, too. Other factors that insurers take into account when providing a policy include:
Age
Due to their increased exposure to risk, travellers over the age of 65 tend to get quoted higher premiums. That being said, if you are an older traveller and you can prove a no claims history, then you might be eligible for a cheaper quote.
Duration
If you buy a single-trip policy then your insurance premium is likely to be a lot lower, you’ll pay more for longer holidays. However, if you’re a frequent traveller it might work out cheaper to look into multi-trip policies.
Pre-existing medical conditions
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, it is important that you declare this with your insurance provider. Whilst it might push premiums up, you run the risk of your claim being rejected if you do not declare it when applying for insurance.
Activities
Whatever your plans are whilst you’re away, you may need extra cover to get insured for certain activities, like winter sports or extreme sports. Some policies may even provide cover for any illness or injury that happens as a result of the activity, including cover for sports equipment, or public liability if you were to damage any people or property whilst taking part.
Do I need to get worldwide travel insurance?
Whilst it is not a legal requirement to get worldwide travel insurance, it is important to have in place if you are travelling to a country that you are unfamiliar to. Like any holiday, if you aren’t clued up on the country or language, you run the risk of becoming a target for theft or injury so it’s important that you are covered.
There are a number of countries that are covered with worldwide travel insurance, and most insurance providers will categorise countries into area breakdowns. It is important to check whether the country you plan to travel to is covered by your insurer.
Some destinations have been excluded with worldwide travel insurance policies, so it’s important to check the details of a policy before committing to anything.
Can I get worldwide travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?
Travelling to an unfamiliar country with a pre-existing medical condition can sometimes come with an added layer of anxiety, luckily, as long as you declare it with your insurance provider before commiting to a policy then you are able to travel.
However, it is important that you are fully vaccinated and have the right medication for your condition i.e. an epipen for diabetes. Whether it’s mild or severe, if you fail to inform your insurer about your pre-existing condition then if you need to make a claim, it could be rejected.
COVID-19 update
Non-essential and international travel is not currently permitted before 17 May 2021 at the earliest (dates subject to further confirmation from the government).
Compare worldwide travel insurance quotes and get cashback
By comparing different travel insurance policies and insurance companies, Quidco can provide access to cheap worldwide travel insurance quotes with up to *£33 in cashback. Simply work out the type of cover you need for your trip, then use the comparison tool to get instant quotes and find the ideal policy for you.
Worldwide travel insurance FAQs
What countries does worldwide travel insurance cover?
Whether you’re planning a single trip holiday, or several trips within the year or you plan to go backpacking around the world, worldwide travel insurance will cover you in countries outside of the UK and Europe.
What does worldwide travel insurance cover?
Similar to most insurance policies, worldwide travel insurance will cover possessions, emergency medical treatment, repatriation, holiday disruptions, and cancellation.
How much does worldwide travel insurance cost?
Most worldwide insurance policies start at £29 and varying factors will determine the overall cost. These factors include your age, the duration of your trip, the country or countries you plan to visit, any medical conditions you have, and the activities you plan to do whilst away.
How can I get cheap worldwide travel insurance?
By comparing insurance quotes at Quidco, you can save money and find cheap worldwide travel insurance policies that suit your travel requirements, you could get up to *£33 cashback.
What is the difference between worldwide travel insurance and multi trip travel insurance?
Worldwide insurance can be used alongside a single trip policy or a multi trip policy, the only difference is where you plan to travel. If you plan to stay within the UK or Europe, you won’t need worldwide travel insurance, and it can be a lot cheaper.
When should I buy worldwide travel insurance?
Don't leave booking your worldwide insurance to the last minute, it is wise to have it in place the moment you book. That way, you'll be covered for cancellation and events that might prevent you from travelling such as unexpected illness, injury or even bereavement.
Can I buy worldwide travel insurance during COVID-19?
Unfortunately, if advice from the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) warns against non-essential travel to your destination when your trip starts, you won’t be covered if you still go away or decide to cancel for this reason. It is important to make sure you check the latest FCDO guidance before you travel.
Useful information
*Based on a couple aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions, taking annual multi-trip cover for Europe. Cover starts on 4th March 2022 and ends on 3rd March 2023. Prices correct as of 3rd March 2022.
If you're struggling to find suitable cover, the Money and Pension Service (MaPs) also provides a list of specialist insurers on the MaPs directory website – or you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory