You've booked the flights, packed your bags, and checked in online. But have you actually checked your travel insurance policy since you bought it? Most people haven't. Here's a quick pre‑flight checklist to make sure you're genuinely covered when you step on that plane.
1. Check Your Policy Dates
This sounds obvious, but many claims are rejected because the policy didn't cover the full length of the trip. Make sure:
- Your start date covers your departure day
- Your end date covers your return day (including late-night arrivals)
- If you've extended your trip since buying the policy, update your insurer
2. Confirm Your Destination Is Covered
Travel policies divide the world into zones. A "European" policy won't cover a stopover in Dubai. Check that:
- Every country you're visiting or transiting through is included
- There are no FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) warnings for your destination — most policies exclude destinations with "advise against all travel" warnings
3. Review Your Medical Cover
- Is your medical cover limit adequate? (£2m+ for Europe, £5m+ for USA)
- Have you declared all pre-existing medical conditions?
- Has your health changed since you bought the policy? If so, call your insurer.
- Are you carrying prescription medication? Pack a copy of the prescription.
4. Know Your Emergency Contact Details
Before you travel, save these somewhere accessible (not just on your phone in case it's lost):
- Your insurer's 24/7 emergency helpline number
- Your policy number
- Your insurer's claims email address
- The FCDO emergency number: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Tip: Print a copy and keep it in your hand luggage — and share details with a travel companion.
5. Check Activity Cover
Planning any activities that go beyond sightseeing? Check whether your policy covers:
- Skiing or snowboarding (winter sports cover needed)
- Scuba diving (usually covered to 30m if PADI-certified; deeper dives need an add-on)
- Bungee jumping, skydiving, or paragliding
- Motorbiking or quad biking (over 50cc often excluded)
- Trekking above a certain altitude (3,000m+ often excluded)
6. Photograph Valuables
If the worst happens and your luggage is lost or stolen, you'll need evidence of ownership:
- Photograph expensive items (electronics, watches, jewellery) before you pack them
- Keep receipts or proof of purchase on your phone or in the cloud
- Note serial numbers for laptops and cameras
7. Check Your Excess
Your excess is the amount you pay per claim before the insurer pays out. Make sure you know:
- How much it is (typically £50–£250)
- Whether it applies per person, per incident, or per section of the policy
- Whether you can afford it — if not, consider upgrading to a lower-excess policy
Quick Reference Checklist
- Policy dates cover entire trip ✓
- All destinations covered ✓
- Medical cover adequate ✓
- Pre-existing conditions declared ✓
- Emergency helpline number saved ✓
- Policy number accessible offline ✓
- Activities covered ✓
- Valuables photographed ✓
- Excess amount known ✓
- GHIC packed (for European trips) ✓
The Bottom Line
Travel insurance is only useful if it actually covers what you need. A five-minute policy check before you fly can be the difference between a covered claim and a denied one. Run through this list, fix any gaps, and travel with genuine peace of mind.