Tommy Lloyd
Author: Tommy Lloyd, Managing Director

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Originally posted: 20th Oct 2022

What is single trip travel insurance?

Single trip travel insurance is a type of travel insurance that covers you for one trip only.

Unlike annual multi-trip travel insurance, this type of insurance is designed to cover one-off, individual trips and will insure you for the period of your specified travel dates. 

Single trip insurance can cover a range of eventualities such as cancellation, personal accident, lost or stolen personal property and many more. 

Continue scrolling down the page to find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about single trip travel insurance - or quickly navigate to the most relevant section for you via the menu.

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Why should you get single trip travel insurance?

Getting travel insurance is a key part of preparing your trip. 

If you’re not covered, it could cost you dearly - whether that’s through unexpected medical expenses, an accident, loss of personal belongings, or anything else. 

Ultimately, nobody wants to make a claim - but having travel insurance is there to put your mind at ease, so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about any of the above.   

If you live with pre-existing medical conditions, the very best way to ensure you’re not out of pocket (should your medical conditions cause any complications before or during your trip) is to buy a travel insurance policy that includes cover for them.

Medical Travel Compared specialises in helping people who may have difficulty getting standard cover due to age or medical history, so you’re in safe hands.

Use our simple and straightforward online medical screening facility to declare your pre-existing medical conditions and anything for which you take prescribed medication.

We will then search our panel of over 30 specialist medical travel insurers to offer you a choice of cover levels and premium options to suit both your travel needs and your budget. You may also find that getting accepted for single trip cover with medical conditions is easier than with annual multi-trip.

What does single trip travel insurance cover?

This varies across our panel of travel insurance providers, but you can generally expect to be covered for:

  • Cancellation - in case your holiday is cut short, or cancelled altogether. 
  • Personal Accident - in case you need to pay out as a result of an accident. 
  • Medical & Repatriation Expenses - in case you need emergency assistance or medical repatriation back to the UK.
  • Mobility Aids - to cover the things you rely on most. 
  • Baggage Loss - in case your luggage goes AWOL. 
  • Theft - unfortunately, your personal belongings are arguably more vulnerable to theft when you travel.

In terms of specific conditions, single trip travel insurance can cover you for a range of different pre-existing medical conditions. 

Provided cover exists for your condition, we’ll do our best to find the best value across a variety of specialist providers. 

Some of the main conditions that can be covered under single trip travel insurance include: 

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Are there different levels of single trip cover?

Yes - there are different levels of single trip travel insurance. 

In simple terms, this means that some policies may include more comprehensive coverage than others. This is something to keep in mind when comparing quotes from different providers. 

Depending on what type of trip you’re planning - it’s wise to ensure you have the right type of cover to meet your needs. And, it’s always worth thinking about the different areas where you might need to upgrade your cover.

Optional Extras

You can also add optional cover to a single trip policy when you compare quotes with us. 

This includes cover for any gadgets you’re travelling with - as well trip-specific cover. So, if you’re going on a cruise, or a ski trip, you should let us know.

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Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.

A pre-existing medical condition means a condition that you have been diagnosed, or treated for, prior to you taking out your travel insurance policy. This may be a health condition you have now or one that you no longer suffer from, but have had in the past. Whilst you’ll need to tell us about most pre-existing health conditions if you have been diagnosed or treated for them (including repeat prescriptions) within the last 2 years, some conditions, such as heart or respiratory-related conditions, we’ll need to know if you’ve ever had them.

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Things to consider when looking for single trip cover

While we’re all after a cheap deal on our travel insurance, you need to remember that the cheapest insurance isn’t always the best option – especially if you have medical conditions you need to be covered.

Cheaper policies also often come with a higher excess, so you may find yourself paying more should you need to claim on your policy.

Comparing insurance policies side-by-side will give you the best possible view of which is the best deal. Be sure to read the small print and ensure your specific conditions or the activities you’ll be doing (skiing, for example) are covered.

If you have any doubts about your quote, you can always ring the provider and they should be able to shed light on the specifics of what their policy will cover you for.

If you are travelling in a group or with your family, a quick money-saving tip is to look for single trip family travel insurance. This way, you can put all your family onto one policy instead of having to pay for several separate ones.

Be sure to take a look at the cover details that we provide with each quote, making sure it covers you for everything you need.

Check the cancellation limit is enough to cover the cost of your holiday should you have to cancel, and pay attention to the excess that applies and decide if the amount is affordable should you make a claim. 

It’s also important to bear in mind the fact that cancellation cover will start from the date you buy the policy - so you can rest assured that you’ll be covered right away.

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Medical Travel Compared is intended for UK residents of all ages, and can help arrange cover for both short and long stay holidays.

Once you have entered your details, you can then review the search results in price order.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to add each country that you are visiting. If you are on a flight stopover this will include any countries where you leave the airport. If you are on a cruise it includes any countries where your ship will be docking at.
The start date will need to be the date you leave your home to start your trip, and the end date will be when you arrive back home. This includes any travel to and from an airport or port.
Most insurance providers will cover you for up to 45 days, however, there are a few who may be able to cover you for up to 94 days.

If you are going on 2 or more trips a year, then an Annual Trip policy may save you money!

Suppose you’ve had hepatitis or are currently suffering from hepatitis and want to travel. In that case, you should always speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional before booking anything. Looking into specialised medical travel insurance means you can travel with peace of mind that you're covered should anything happen regarding your condition whilst you’re away.

 

A pre-existing condition is a diagnosed medical condition that existed before taking out a policy. We'll ask a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us about the traveller's conditions. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!

You can send your question to our team, or visit our help centre on Single Trip policies.

* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, with no medical conditions, and is travelling to France for 7 nights. The price is correct as of October 2023. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements


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If we're unable to help you find cover for a pre-existing medical condition, the Money Helper Directory has listings of companies that may be able to assist you. Further details can be found on their website.

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