When Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
The best time to get covered is as soon as you’ve booked your trip. You can get a quick quote here, where we offer single trip and annual multi-trip policies. You’ll find options so that you can tailor your choice of cover to you needs.
Keep in mind that some basic travel policies may offer limited cover, especially when it comes to complex medical needs or trip types like cruises. At Freedom, we help you understand the additional cover you might need so there are no surprises down the line.
Arranging cover online isn’t for everyone; if you’d rather call us, our UK-based team is here to help you understand what your policy includes and ensure you’re never paying for extras you don’t need. By having access to the right information from the start, you can make more informed decisions about your cover.
And if you’ve already started your trip, don’t worry – we have other options available through our already travelling travel insurance.
How Do I Make a Claim?
If something goes wrong during your trip, here’s what to do:
If You Need Medical Assistance, Contact Emergency Assistance as Soon as Possible
- Our insurers’ emergency assistance teams are available 24/7. You’ll find the number in your policy documents. You might want to put it in your phone so it’s always readily available when you need it most.
Keep Your Documents
- Save all relevant receipts, reports and paperwork related to your insurance claim. This includes medical treatment, police reports and proof of costs.
Submit Your Claim
- You can do this by contacting our insurers’ claims teams directly. They’ll support you throughout and ensure nothing is missed.
If you’re dealing with medical emergencies or delays while travelling abroad, our insurers’ teams will do everything they can to assist you quickly and clearly. If emergency treatment is required, your cover may also help with hospital fees or transport costs, depending on your policy.
Understanding Your Policy Wording
Your policy wording outlines exactly what your travel insurance covers. This includes details about cancellation cover, baggage protection, emergency medical expenses and what you’ll need for a potential claim. It also lists exclusions such as travelling against medical advice or not declaring existing health conditions.
Travel insurance policies vary in what they cover, which is why we recommend reading your documents thoroughly and speaking with our contact centre team if you’re unsure about anything. We’re here to help you feel confident before you travel and offer further information when needed.
What Does Excess Mean in Travel Insurance?
An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. For example, if your policy has a £100 excess and your claim is for £400, you’d receive £300 once the excess is deducted.
At Freedom, the level of excess can vary depending on the policy you choose. Some travellers opt for a higher excess to reduce the cost of their premium, while others prefer a lower excess. It’s all about finding the balance that works for you.
The excess amount won’t affect your ability to claim, but it’s worth checking your policy to understand when and how it applies. If you’re unsure, our team is here to guide you through it.
A Real-Life Example
We spoke with our underwriters at Millstream, who work with their A-rated insurer to provide one of best-selling products. Here’s what Robert had to say:
“The claim process could not be simpler, but do not take my word for it – here is an example of how a claim is likely to be processed:
In this case, a Freedom customer needed to cancel their trip to Cyprus because of medical reasons only a few days before the start of their holiday. Upon completing the claim form, and returning this, the claim was created on the 7th October. The client included important information such as; Proof of Insurance, Holiday Booking Invoice, Holiday Cancellation Invoice and Supporting Medical Documentation. Upon receipt of this information, a case handler reviewed the claim on the 11th October and proposed a settlement of over £2,500 the same day, which the client received on the 21st October. From start to finish – 14 days!”
Will Making a Travel Insurance Claim Increase My Insurance Costs In The Future?
Making a travel insurance claim won’t directly increase your future premiums. Unlike car insurance, which often leads to higher costs at renewal if you made a claim in the previous year, travel insurance works differently. At Freedom, each traveller’s circumstances are assessed individually. A previous claim doesn’t determine the price of your policy, and our team can help you understand what does, such as the trip duration and destination. We are committed to meeting your demands and needs, explaining the options to help you decide.
Final Thoughts
At Freedom, we want every traveller to feel secure from the moment they book to the moment they return. We know that dealing with emergency medical expenses, emergency medical treatment or cancelled plans while abroad can feel overwhelming. But if you’ve arranged your insurance policy with us ahead of time, we’re here to make things easier, guide you through your options and arrange cover with our highly-rated insurers so that you have the financial protection you need to travel with confidence.
From medical treatment abroad to lost belongings, our mission is to keep things clear and reliable.
Thanks for reading,
Rosie at Freedom ✈️
This content is intended for general information purposes only. Every customer’s circumstances are different, so to see options tailored to your specific needs, please provide full details when getting a quote online or contacting our team directly. Always review your policy documents carefully to ensure your cover is suitable for your trip.
