Context
Ahead of the tournament, the ABI has shared five top tips to help people understand the key features of travel insurance and choose a policy that suits their needs. Insurance firms should note the ABI’s suggestions and consider reminding their travel insurance=buying customers accordingly.
Key points to note and next actions
In 2024 alone, travel insurers paid out £35 million to help their customers visiting the USA and Canada cover the cost of medical bills, where medical care costs are significantly higher, and other unexpected losses.
- “Buy before you fly”.Most policies won’t be valid if you buy them after you’ve started your trip, which means you won’t be able to make a claim should something go wrong overseas. It’s always best to take out insurance as soon as you’ve booked a trip, as this will ensure you’re covered if you need to cancel.
- Declare any pre-existing medical conditions as doing so will help you get the right level of medical cover for your individual circumstances, giving you peace of mind that you’re protected abroad. The primary purpose of travel insurance is to cover the cost of what can be incredibly expensive emergency medical treatment overseas.
- Make a ‘claim plan’. Keep your insurance policy and your provider’s contact details to hand in case anything goes wrong on your trip. It can also help to share these with a trusted friend or family member travelling with you, as well as someone at home. Should you need to make a claim, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Many insurers will have a 24/7 phone number you can call for support.
- Follow FCDO travel advice.This advice is there for your safety, and travelling against it could invalidate your insurance. You can sign up to receive email alerts about changes to travel advice here, and the FCDO’s Travel Aware campaign page also has important guidance on a range of topics, including travel insurance. Information specific to the World Cup is also available on Gov.uk Travel Advice pages for the USA, Canada and Mexico.
- Celebrate responsibly. While it might be tempting to raise a glass after a big win, consume alcohol responsibly. Insurers will expect you to take ‘reasonable care’ on your trip, so if you’re injured whilst drinking excessively, you may not be able to claim for any emergency medical treatment you need or other costs incurred.