Coverwise Travel Insurance: A Complete Guide for UK Travellers
Travel can be exciting, but unexpected problems can quickly turn a holiday into an expensive experience. A cancelled flight, lost baggage, illness abroad, or an emergency that requires you to return home can all create costs that are difficult to manage without suitable insurance.
Coverwise Travel Insurance offers travel insurance options designed for UK residents, including single trip and annual multi trip policies. Coverwise also provides options for travellers who need cover for certain pre existing medical conditions.
This guide explains what Coverwise Travel Insurance is, the types of cover available, important features to check, and what travellers should consider before purchasing a policy.
What Is Coverwise Travel Insurance?
Coverwise is a travel insurance provider and intermediary offering different travel insurance products for UK customers. Its website provides policies for individual holidays and multiple trips during the year.
Coverwise currently lists Single Trip Travel Insurance and Annual Multi Trip Insurance, along with options for pre existing medical conditions. The available policy levels include options such as Standard, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, depending on the product range available at the time of purchase.
The insurance is administered by AWP Assistance UK Ltd, trading as Allianz, while Coverwise Limited arranges the insurance. The exact insurer and terms applicable to your policy are shown in your policy documents.
Types of Cover Available
One advantage of comparing different travel insurance options is that travellers can choose cover according to their trip.
Single Trip Travel Insurance
Single trip insurance is designed for one holiday or journey. It can be suitable for a short city break, family holiday, cruise, business trip, or longer overseas vacation.
Coverwise states that its single trip policies include protection for several common travel problems, including trip cancellation, cutting a trip short, emergency medical treatment, repatriation, travel delays, missed departure and baggage problems.
The exact limits, exclusions and excesses depend on the policy you select.
Annual Multi Trip Insurance
If you travel several times during a year, an annual multi trip policy may be more convenient than purchasing separate insurance for every holiday.
Coverwise offers annual multi trip insurance with different cover choices. Some options can also include benefits for activities such as skiing, subject to the terms of the selected policy.
Before purchasing an annual policy, check the maximum duration allowed for each individual trip and make sure the destinations you visit are included.
What Does Coverwise Travel Insurance Cover?
The exact protection depends on the policy level and your policy wording. However, Coverwise states that its travel insurance products can include several important areas.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Medical treatment abroad can become expensive, particularly in countries where healthcare costs are high.
Travel insurance can help protect you against eligible emergency medical expenses covered by your policy. Coverwise also states that its policies can include repatriation expenses and access to a 24 hour medical assistance service.
Always read the medical section carefully because exclusions and conditions can apply.
Trip Cancellation
Sometimes you may need to cancel your holiday before departure because of an insured event.
Coverwise explains that covered cancellation reasons can include certain serious illnesses or injuries affecting you or a travelling companion, as well as some serious circumstances affecting your home or close family.
The reason for cancellation must meet the requirements stated in your policy.
Cutting Your Trip Short
A serious unexpected event may require you to return home before your planned return date.
Eligible costs associated with cutting a trip short can be covered under the relevant policy conditions. Travellers should contact the insurer as soon as possible when an insured event occurs.
Baggage Protection
Lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage can create additional costs during a holiday.
Coverwise states that baggage protection is included in its single trip policies, although the amount payable and conditions depend on the policy selected.
Keep receipts and supporting documents because these may be required if you need to make a claim.
Travel Delays and Missed Departure
Travel disruptions can happen because of circumstances outside your control.
Coverwise’s single trip insurance includes cover for travel delays and missed departure, subject to the relevant policy conditions and exclusions.
Cover for Pre Existing Medical Conditions
Medical history is an important consideration when buying travel insurance.
Coverwise offers travel insurance options for a range of pre existing medical conditions. However, travellers should provide accurate information when completing the medical screening process.
Changes in your health after purchasing a policy may also affect your cover. Coverwise advises policyholders to contact its customer service team if there has been a relevant change in their health, such as a new diagnosis, new symptoms, medication changes or hospital treatment.
Never assume that a medical condition is automatically covered simply because you have purchased travel insurance.
Who Can Buy Coverwise Travel Insurance?
Coverwise policies are primarily designed for UK residents. Its published eligibility information says that, for relevant policies, travellers generally need to permanently reside in the UK and have been registered with a UK medical practitioner for at least six months. Specific rules can vary depending on the insurer and policy.
This is particularly important for people who have recently moved to the UK or are living in the UK temporarily.
Always check eligibility before paying for a policy.
Can Coverwise Cover UK Holidays?
Some Coverwise policies can provide cover for trips within the UK, but specific conditions apply.
For example, certain policies require the trip to meet distance or overnight stay requirements. The rules can also differ depending on the insurer underwriting the policy.
If you are planning a UK staycation, read the UK travel section of your specific policy before purchasing.
How to Choose the Right Coverwise Policy
Choosing the cheapest travel insurance is not always the best approach. Instead, compare the protection with your actual travel plans.
Consider these factors:
Destination: Make sure your selected travel area covers every country you plan to visit.
Medical cover: Check emergency medical and repatriation protection carefully.
Cancellation cover: Consider the amount of money you have already paid for flights, hotels and activities.
Baggage: Check the overall baggage limit and individual item limits.
Excess: Understand how much you may have to pay yourself when making an eligible claim.
Activities: If you plan to ski, take part in adventure activities or perform other higher risk activities, check whether additional cover is required.
Pre existing conditions: Declare relevant medical conditions and follow the insurer’s screening requirements.
How to Buy Coverwise Travel Insurance
The Coverwise website allows customers to explore available travel insurance options and obtain a quotation.
Before purchasing, enter your travel information accurately. This normally includes details about your destination, travel dates and travellers.
Once you have purchased a policy, Coverwise says you receive policy documents electronically. These can include your policy schedule, policy wording, Insurance Product Information Document and Terms of Business.
Read these documents before travelling rather than waiting until you need to make a claim.
Keep Your Policy Documents Safe
Your policy documents contain important information about your protection.
Coverwise provides a Members Area where policyholders can view personal and cover details and download policy documents.
It is a good idea to keep a digital copy on your phone and another copy somewhere you can access while travelling.
What Should You Check Before Travelling?
Before leaving the UK, review your policy and make sure:
- Your travel dates are correct.
- Your destination is included.
- Your name and other personal information are correct.
- Relevant medical conditions have been declared.
- Your planned activities are covered.
- You understand the excess.
- You know how to contact the emergency assistance service.
- You have saved your policy documents.
These simple checks can help reduce problems if something unexpected happens during your trip.
What About Policy Exclusions?
Every travel insurance policy has exclusions. These are situations where the insurer may not pay a claim.
Examples can include certain medical circumstances, unsupported activities, travelling against official advice, or failing to meet specific policy conditions.
Coverwise states that travellers may not be covered in certain circumstances if they do not follow applicable advice or recommendations from authorities such as the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office or the World Health Organization.
This is why reading the policy wording is essential.
Is Coverwise Travel Insurance Worth Considering?
Coverwise may be worth considering for UK travellers who want a choice of travel insurance levels and trip types.
Its current offerings include single trip and annual multi trip insurance, while its policies can include protection for cancellation, emergency medical expenses, repatriation, baggage, travel delays and missed departure.
However, the best policy depends on your destination, age, health, activities, trip cost and personal requirements. A low price does not necessarily mean the policy provides enough protection for your particular holiday.
Final Thoughts
Coverwise Travel Insurance provides several options for UK travellers looking for protection against unexpected travel problems. Single trip insurance can suit occasional travellers, while annual multi trip cover may be useful for people who take several holidays each year.
The most important step is to compare the policy wording, limits, exclusions and excess before buying. Make sure your destination, medical circumstances and planned activities are properly covered.
Travel insurance cannot prevent problems from happening, but choosing appropriate cover can make dealing with an unexpected situation much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coverwise Travel Insurance available for UK residents?
Yes. Coverwise’s policies are designed primarily for UK residents, although specific eligibility requirements apply depending on the policy and insurer.
Does Coverwise cover medical expenses abroad?
Coverwise states that its travel insurance policies can include emergency medical treatment and repatriation expenses, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
Does Coverwise offer annual travel insurance?
Yes. Coverwise offers Annual Multi Trip Insurance for travellers who take multiple journeys during the year.
Can I get cover for pre existing medical conditions?
Coverwise offers policies that can provide cover for a range of pre existing medical conditions. Medical screening and policy conditions apply.
Can I cancel my Coverwise policy?
Cancellation rules depend on the insurer and policy. Coverwise states that a full refund may be available in certain circumstances when cancellation is requested within 14 days of receiving policy documents and the policy has not been used or claimed against.
Where can I find my Coverwise policy documents?
Policyholders can use the Coverwise Members Area to view and download their policy documents.
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