Travel Insurance FAQs

Your insurance premium is calculated on several factors including where you're travelling to, how long you're going for, how long in advance you purchase your policy, who you are travelling with, any medical conditions and what activities you'll do on holiday. We've created a handy document which you can see by clicking here which explains why we consider these factors. It also explains what external factors cause insurance premiums to increase on an annual basis and how we insure our policies offer fair value.

When you apply for a Schengen Visa your insurance must cover all countries within the Schengen area to be valid for your application, this means:

If you are purchasing an Annual Multi-Trip
The minimum area of cover we offer 'Europe' is valid for a Schengen Visa.

If you are purchasing a Single Trip
You MUST use the 'choose an area' function and select an area of 'Europe', or 'Worldwide' to be valid. If you select any other area, in particular 'Europe (restricted)', or, input a specific country (such as just 'Spain' or 'France') then your policy will not be accepted for a Schengen Visa.

We recommend purchasing an Annual Multi-Trip as you'll be expected to show you have insurance for all trips planned within the period of visa validity. If you choose to purchase Single Trip cover you'll need to provide insurance certificates for all trips you have planned.

What If I don't obtain my visa on time for my travel?
There is no cover under our policies if you fail to obtain required travel documents such as a visa or passport. We therefore recommend you apply in plenty of time as applications can take months.
Please note that if you purchase your insurance to apply for a visa and your visa is rejected, our normal cancellation terms apply click here for more information.

The cover under our policies may be reduced where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against either 'all' or 'all but essential' travel. You can view the current advice by clicking here.

FCDO advises against 'all travel'

No Cover

FCDO advises against 'all but essential travel'

If your travel is 'essential': Full Cover

If your travel is not 'essential': Cover excluding any claim arising either directly or indirectly from the reason the FCDO advice against travel is in place. For example if your destination states 'The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to … based on the current assessment of Covid risks.' then your policy would provide full cover for any otherwise valid claim other than a claim caused either directly (for example you contracting Covid) or indirectly (for example your accommodation becoming unavailable due to Covid) by Covid.

What is 'essential' travel?

To understand what is considered essential travel (and some examples of what is not) please click here.

Please Note: If you are travelling to multiple destinations under your policy you must check the FCDO advice before each leg of your trip. If you are travelling for non essential travel and move from a country without advice in place to a country for which 'all but essential' travel advice is in place your cover will be reduced as outlined above for that portion of your trip.

As standard all our single or annual multi trip travel insurance policies cover cancellation of a trip if your outbound flight, departing from United Kingdom, is cancelled and no suitable alternative public transport is provided within 12 hours of the scheduled time of departure. Cover is only provided if your flight is cancelled due to strike, industrial action, adverse weather conditions or if there is a mechanical breakdown or a technical fault occurring in the public transport on which you are booked to travel.

If your flight is not cancelled due to these reasons or you decide not to abandon your trip and to continue with your holiday, you will receive an allowance for each 12 hour delay to help you pay for telephone calls, meals and refreshments.

If you purchased your policy direct from our website or via select other channels we offer an optional Travel Disruption upgrade both at the point of purchase or as a post sale option in your Customer zone. Clients that have taken this cover may have cover if their flight was cancelled as a result of a number of other eventualities, if so please refer to your policy wording for further clarification.

If you need to make a claim under your policy, you should contact your all providers including for example your travel, hotel and credit/debit card providers in the first instance as you will be required to submit a written confirmation from them proving no alternative or refund was provided in order for us to assess your claim. You can submit a claim online by accessing your Customer Zone from your welcome e-mail.

Please note that we will not provide cover for circumstances known to you before your purchase or which could reasonably have been expected to lead to cancellation of the trip. All cover will be subject to all other terms and conditions of your policy. Should your flight be cancelled by the airline, they are legally responsible to either provide you an alternative flight or full refund. They are also liable to provide overnight accommodation until the alternative flight becomes available. Since the EU 261 regulation was passed in 2004, passengers have been protected against severe flight disruption. The legislation confirms that long delays, cancellations, missed connections and flight re-bookings cause great inconvenience to the passenger, and as such affected passengers should be compensated.

Please note that similar protection exists where your travel is via pre-booked ferry or train and the same process should be followed. All the cover we have outlined is subject to terms and conditions, please check your policy wording for further clarification.

If your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours, all of our policies offer a delayed departure benefit. This is designed to help you pay for telephone calls, meals and refreshments purchased during the delay.

Please note if the delay in your flight will cause you to return on a date later than covered under your policy please see I am abroad and my return flight has been delayed to a later date so I return after my policy expires, what do I do?

Yes, all our policies include up to £15 million of cover for on board emergency medical costs including the costs of repatriation (emergency evacuation) where medically necessary.

Our policies also include reasonable additional transport and/or accommodation expenses incurred if you are required to quarantine off ship. Depending on your circumstances this would generally include the cost of a hotel room while you quarantine and transport either home or to rejoin the cruise.

All normal cover included in your policy also applies including cover for cancellation, curtailment, baggage and more, please refer to the schedule of benefits and the terms found in your policy wording for further information for your chosen cover level. Please note we also offer an optional 'Cruise Cover' add on which provides additional cover including Unused Excursions cover, Missed Port cover and Confinement To Cabin cover, if you have already purchased your policy and would like to add this cover please visit your Customer Zone to add (subject to terms and additional premium).

We understand that some cruise lines require proof of this cover so we have issued a confirmation of cover letter which you can download by clicking here.

We understand that certain countries and travel companies are requiring written confirmation that your travel insurance includes personal liability cover for winter sports. If you have included winter sports cover on your policy and need such a confirmation you can obtain this by accessing your Customer Zone where you will be able to download a policy document entitled 'Winter Sports Cover Confirmation'.

Almost all of our policies include Scheduled Airline Failure Cover which provides cover if your airline fails. Our more premium cover levels generally include End Supplier Cover which expands this cover to Hotels and other travel services providers. To see what cover you have please check your policy wording. To claim under these sections please contact IPP Claims

Make a claim online: www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

Make a claim by phone: Call IPP Claims on 0345 266 1872

Any policy sold by Cedar Tree includes cover for any medical claim due to Covid. We include cover for cancellation due to you falling ill with Covid and being unable to travel or being required to self isolate, subject to medical certification or an official test result. We additionally include cover for curtailment due to the death of a close relative due to Covid.

Click here to view common scenarios and the cover available under your policy on our dedicated Covid Page.

Unless your destination requires a COVID test then you have no obligation to take one prior to travel under our policy. If your destination does require a test or you wish to take one as you feel unwell we would generally recommend using a private test as noted below as this will include a standardised Fit (or unfit) to Fly Travel certificate. As standard the following options are available to you to prove you have tested positive

• A private test from a provider that provides a Travel certificate, for example* https://covid.randox.com/pre-departure/
• Any other written confirmation of a positive COVID test from a relevant source for example a pharmacy, doctors surgery or hospital.

* Please note this is not an endorsement of this particular provider, we use this as an example as they are one of the largest providers in the UK.

No. Our policies do not cover the cost of COVID tests either prior to, during, or post your travel

Note: Our claims team will assess costs for COVID tests required by a doctor or hospital as part of a valid claim for emergency medical assistance on a case by case basis. Claims for COVID tests for any other reason (for example pre-departure, in hotel/venue or post arrival tests) will not be covered.

We understand that certain countries and travel companies are requiring written confirmation of medical and repatriation cover if you contract Covid while travelling. If you need such a confirmation you can obtain this by accessing your Customer Zone where you will be able to download a policy document entitled 'Covid Cover Confirmation'.

Your policy does not include cover for cancellation due to a pandemic. Please note the following information that may be of use:

• If your travel was booked via a tour operator, if they cancel your holiday they are legally required to offer you an alternative holiday, a credit voucher or a cash refund.
• If you hold a single trip policy and move your holiday we are in most instances able to change your travel dates at no cost. Please see 'I had to change my travel dates, can I move my insurance?' for more information.
• If you are no longer travelling under your policy, please see section 'I am no longer planning to travel, can I cancel my policy?' for further information.

If you hold a Single Trip or Backpacker policy you are able to change your cover dates subject to some terms and conditions. If you hold an Annual Multi-Trip policy please see the section Can I postpone/extend my Annual Multi-Trip policy?

You can move your policy at no cost so long as your new travel starts within a year of your original start date on a like for like basis, in many cases once you have changed your date you will be able to make other mid term adjustments such as increasing cover duration or upgrading your area of cover. To do so please enter your Customer Zone and click 'Change my Travel Dates', please note for your security you will need to enter your post code to verify your identity.

If you wish to move your policy back more than a year from your original start date we may be able to do so subject to certain terms and conditions. Please contact our customer services team for further information.

If your return flight (or train/ferry) is cancelled while you are abroad and replaced with a later flight (or train/ferry) your policy will automatically extend at no cost (and without need to notify us). Please note this is subject to you returning on the first available alternative date offered by your travel provider. If your flight cancellation means your departure is delayed by more than 12 hours you may be able to claim under your delayed departure benefit, see Am I covered if my flight is delayed? for more information.

If you do not wish to return on the first available date offered by your travel provider we may be able to offer you an extension while abroad, in most cases you will be able to do this online via your Customer Zone.

We are unable to postpone or extend an existing Annual Multi-trip policy. Now that travel has returned towards normal we no longer offer alternative options.

You can cancel your policy through the customer zone using the process outlined below, the amount we will refund depends on how long you have had your policy and when you purchased you policy (as we have special conditions for policies purchased prior to Covid being declared a pandemic). You will not be able to cancel your policy if you have made a claim under the policy. Terms and Conditions apply.

How to Cancel Your Policy:

1. Access your Customer Zone
2. Click 'Edit Your Policy'
3. Click 'Cancel Policy'
4. Confirm you have not made nor do you intend to make a claim under this policy

How much we will refund:
If you cancel an Annual Multi-Trip Policy:

• prior to the start date, or, within 14 days of purchase (so long as you have not travelled): 100%
• 6% per full month remaining on cover if you purchased via our direct website or your policy was a renewal. 5% per full month remaining on cover in all other cases.

If you cancel a Single Trip or Backpacker Policy:

• within 14 days of purchase and prior to the start date: 100%
• after 14 days of purchase or after the start date: No Refund

By following this process, we aim, if your request is approved, to process your cancellation within 2 working days of receipt and thereafter funds should reach your account within 3 to 5 working days.

The quickest way to make a claim for cancellation due to Covid is online. Please be aware that in all cases you should attempt to obtain a refund or voucher from your travel provider prior to making a claim. If you are concerned about the requirement to notify us as soon as possible of a loss please be assured that you do not need to make a claim until such point as your travel provider has formally in writing denied your request.

Make a claim online: Enter your Customer Zone and click 'Make a Claim', please note for your security you will need to enter your post code to verify your identity.

Make a claim by phone: Call CEGA Travel Claims on 01473 921 257 noting scheme Code: A00806. Their team are available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Please note the above information relates to general claims only, if you need to make a claim for a Medical or other Emergency, under Gadget Cover or for Scheduled Airline Failure or End Supplier Failure please view our claims page for more information.

In most instances you should expect the claims team to review your claim within 2 to 4 weeks though it can sometimes take a little longer. If your claim has taken longer than 6 weeks please contact us so we can investigate the reason for the delay.

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Yes, however, what it covers has changed and once it expires, you'll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it, click here for more information the GHIC including how to apply.

Please note you can no longer use your EHIC in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. You can however use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway (for example emergency treatment, or to treat a pre-existing condition).

If you are a British national then since January 2021 you can no longer apply for an EHIC as the UK is no longer part of the EU. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is a replacement and lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

The GHIC is valid in the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Please note you can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway (for example emergency treatment, or to treat a pre-existing condition).

How do I apply for a GHIC?
To apply for a GHIC click here.

What else do I need to know?
Your GHIC covers you for emergency medical treatment only including treatment of a chronic or pre-existing medical condition that becomes necessary during your visit. It can also cover oxygen and kidney dialysis, but you will need to pre-book these treatments before you depart for your trip. It will not cover your medical treatment if you're travelling abroad specifically to have medical treatment, including giving birth.

Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?
The gov.uk website recommends all UK travellers to take out an appropriate travel insurance policy when travelling abroad. It is important to remember that an EHIC or GHIC does not cover you for rescue or repatriation costs, or if you are on a cruise. It's also important to remember that each EU country's healthcare system is different and without insurance, you may have to contribute to some of the cost of your care – like locals do.

Important
If you are admitted to the hospital contact must be made with the Medical Emergency Assistance Company as soon as possible and their authority obtained in respect of any treatment NOT available under a reciprocal health agreement. The information provided in this answer is an overview of the information held on the NHS GHIC site and was last updated on 27th July 2022.

If you are a British Citizen the following additional reciprocal health agreements are available to you:

Australia
If you require medical treatment in Australia you must enrol with a local MEDICARE office. You do not need to enrol on arrival but you must do this after the first occasion you receive treatment. In-patient and outpatient treatment at a public hospital are then available free of charge. Details of how to enrol and the free treatment available can be found by visiting the MEDICARE Website on www.humanservices.gov.au/medicare or by emailing: medicare@humanservices.gov.au.

New Zealand
If you require medical treatment in New Zealand, there are reciprocal agreements, but a person may not enrol with a Primary Health Organisation (PHO). They should get the same health subsidies as a New Zealand citizen visiting a general practitioner as a casual patient, if the doctor has decided the condition needs prompt attention.
For more information, please go to www.health.govt.nz or email: info@health.govt.nz

Important Notes
If you are admitted to the hospital contact must be made with the Medical Emergency Assistance Company as soon as possible and their authority obtained in respect of any treatment NOT available under a reciprocal health agreement.