Compare Travel Insurance Ireland

How To Get Cheap Travel Insurance

 

We understand that your time is valuable, and you need a quick and straightforward way to compare policies. Our website makes finding great deals simple. Your search for affordable cover is just a few clicks away. We offer single, annual multi trip, family, backpacker and winter sports plans for European and worldwide destinations.

If you are planning a one off trip, we have a wide range of single policies available. Perhaps you are lucky enough to take more than one trip this year. If so, it may be cheaper to buy an annual plan. The annual plan covers you for multiple trips within the year. Here are a few quick ways Irish travellers can save money on their next trip. See our cost saving guide below:

Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, insurance gives peace of mind, covering flight delays, lost baggage, and medical risks such as accidents or sudden illness abroad. Avoid buying the first option from an airline or travel agent, as it may not offer the best value. A good travel plan should include coverage for trip cancellation, delays, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and personal liability.

What Does Holiday Insurance Cover?

Everyone wants affordable holiday protection, but the cheapest option isn’t always the right one. Make sure your plan protects you against unexpected expenses and financial loss. Ensure you understand what is and what is not covered. I’ve included a list of the main benefits below.

Most standard policies include:

• Emergency medical expenses.
• 24-hour emergency assistance.
• Personal liability covers you for accidentally injuring another person or damaging their property.
• Cover for lost and stolen money or personal property, i.e. valuables, passports, and airline tickets.
• Cancellation and curtailment if you have to cancel or cut your trip short for an insured reason.
• Missed departure if you missed your flight due to an insured reason.
• The policy should cover you for the duration of your trip.

Your policy may also insure you for the following:

• Personal accident.
• Legal expenses.
• Third-party supplier insolvency.
• Strike.

Always read the policy wording carefully for exclusions:

• Most policies will not cover alcohol or drug-related incidents.
• Any insured travelling or third-party relative with a terminal prognosis, or individuals awaiting tests or results from the hospital.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may have to arrange an appointment for a medical screening.
• Age limits may apply to some policies.

Why is holiday protection important?

Did you know that suffering a hip fracture in the USA could cost you €25,000? While you may consider yourself to be in good health, there are always unexpected accidents waiting to happen. It’s much better to be safe than sorry. However, it’s not just about medical expenses and cancelled flights. Holiday insurance can also cover lost luggage or personal belongings such as passports and money. It will also cover accidental injury to another person or damage that you may cause to third party property. With all these potential expenses, it’s easy to see why a comprehensive travel insurance policy is highly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

With medical costs rising, it can be quite expensive to suffer an injury abroad; as a result, holiday cover has never been more important. That’s why we have drawn up a FAQ guide on the most important issues relating to travel insurance. Read on to ensure you have all the information which will help you make up your mind before you hit the sea, sand or the slopes!

Is it cheaper to buy cover online?

If you prefer to speak to someone about your holiday cover, you can book over the telephone. Although purchasing travel cover through a call centre or over the phone may incur additional charges. If you do have any queries, give the insurance company a quick call. Once you have all your questions answered, you can then proceed to book online.

Types of policies

You can often save by comparing a few different travel plans. Take time to explore what’s available so you can pick the right option for you and your family. This will depend on the type of trip and duration. I have outlined the most popular types of travel policies below:

• Single trip
  Single trip covers you for a once-off trip, whether it’s a romantic weekend away, a city break or a family holiday to Spain. This policy will cover you for cancellation, medical expenses, lost luggage and much more!
• Annual multi trip
  If you’re planning on taking a few trips this year, annual cover should work out more competitively priced than buying a few single trip policies. An annual policy will allow you to take multiple trips. You can also decide to add optional covers depending on the insurer’s criteria, such as cover for volcanic ash, strike, golf, wedding, business, cruise and flight disruption.
• Winter sports, snowboarding & skiing
  When travelling on a ski, snowboarding or winter sports holiday, it is essential to ensure that you are fully covered whilst on the slopes. Whether you’re a seasoned skier, a novice, or simply enjoying the scenery, it’s recommended to have sufficient winter sports cover in place before hitting the snow.
• Backpacker 
  Planning on going backpacking across the globe, working abroad or taking a long stay holiday? Be safe with a backpacker travel insurance policy. Most backpacker policies will cover you for light manual work while abroad, but it is always recommended to check with the insurer’s policy wording. Additional activities can also be included, such as bungee jumping, camel or elephant riding, scuba diving, climbing Kilimanjaro or trekking. A full list should be available from the insurer upon request.
• Family Cover
  When travelling abroad with your Family, you can purchase a comprehensive policy that can be tailored to meet your circumstances. Most insurers offer a special rate for family cover, applicable to both single trips and yearly policies. You can also select worldwide or European cover depending on the location of your trip.

Day trips, excursions and holidays with multiple destinations

Many insurance policies will cover excursions, e.g. travelling to another country for a day or two as part of your holiday. However, check with the insurer as there may be duration and territory restrictions. If you wish to purchase a single trip policy for multiple destinations, we suggest you select the furthest away geographical destination and then check with the insurer to see if they will cover the other destinations and also the duration spent in each country. The other option would be to consider purchasing a worldwide annual multi trip policy, which will ensure that you are covered at all times and in all destinations, subject to the policy terms and conditions and territory limits.

What is volcanic ash, strike and airline insolvency protection?

Some policies will now cover strike and third party supplier insolvency as standard up to certain cover limits. Volcanic ash or travel disruption cover is usually offered as an optional extra, which can be added to your policy. Always read the policy wording carefully; if in doubt, give the insurance company a quick call before booking online.

What is cruise cover?

If you’re planning on taking a cruise this year and are concerned about the high costs involved, consider the following options. Some insurers now offer cruise cover as an add on, with varying criteria from insurer to insurer. This will generally cover you if you are unable to arrive on time at the port due to an insured reason. This optional cover should be highlighted on the insurance company’s website. You will have to select the option and add it to your standard travel policy. We would suggest you read your policy documentation prior to travel. Review cruise insurance policies today for peace of mind.

Schedule of benefits

Details of what you are covered for can be found in your policy wording and schedule. Levels of medical expenses, personal liability, missed departure, cancellation, lost or damaged baggage, strike, and any other types of cover will be noted within your documents and validation certificate. Cover for cruises, winter sports, golf, weddings, volcanic ash and hazardous activities (if available) will vary from provider to provider. We would suggest you read your policy documentation or check with your provider prior to travel.

How do I cancel my policy?

Most travel insurance providers will offer a 14 day cooling off period. This criteria will vary depending on the insurer. Always read the terms and conditions noted in the travel policy booklet.

Change or amend my policy?

If you wish to make changes or amendments to your policy, you will need to contact the travel insurance provider directly. If you wish to upgrade your geographical location or add additional levels of cover or individuals to your policy, you will be charged an additional fee.

Renewing a policy

Your cover will end on the date that you return to Ireland for a single-trip policy. This date will be on your validation certificate. For an annual multi trip insurance policy, your cover will expire a full year later. For instance, if you purchase on the 2nd of June 2020, your policy will expire at midnight on the 1st of June 2021, by which time you must be in Ireland. Always compare renewal prices; you might be surprised by the savings.

Couple and family policies and travelling independently

Most providers let couples or families travel independently under the same plan, but it’s best to confirm with your insurer first. It is always best to contact your insurance provider to clarify this sort of information prior to travelling.

Natural disasters and terrorism

Details of cover can be found in your policy documentation regarding natural disasters and terrorism. There may be exclusions within your policy, so it’s important that you check this if you’re concerned. Important: insurers will not provide cover if you’re travelling to a country where the Department of Foreign Affairs or the World Health Organisation have advised against travel.

Individuals over 65 and 75 years old

Most travel insurance companies will cover up to the age of 65 as standard. If you wish to take out cover and you are over 65 years old, the risk level on the policy will increase; therefore, the premium will increase. Both age and duration limits will apply. Criteria will vary depending on the provider. If in doubt, give the insurer a quick call to clarify.

Our FAQs are provided for informational purposes only. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of this guide, as criteria may change from time to time when insurance companies amend their policy wording or terms and conditions.