Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip abroad, even if you’re planning to travel for less than three months. You never know what could go wrong, and you never want to be stuck with huge medical bills, or unable to afford to replace lost or stolen items. For peace of mind on a shorter trip, you’ll need to take out short-term travel insurance. Here we explain what this entails.
Why take out a short stay or single trip insurance?
Trips in the European Union
Getting ill or injured can quickly add up to a huge bill if you don’t have travel insurance. If you are from the EEA, UK or Switzerland and you are travelling within the European Union, you can get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online for free. This card covers medical care in other European countries. For UK citizens, you should get a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This card replaces the EHIC and lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.
Trips out of the EU
However, outside the European Union, you won’t be covered with this EHIC, which is why it is important to take out short-term travel insurance before your departure. Although some credit cards offer insurance for trips of less than 90 days, they usually have limitations.
It is also important to check whether you are entitled to a Medicare card. Some countries such as United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta have signed bilateral agreements with Australia. This entitles citizens from those countries to some coverage under Medicare, the Australian healthcare system. Note that coverage is lower than that provided to Australian citizens, and only covers essential care.
If you take out short-term travel insurance, you can leave your home country with peace of mind, knowing you’ll be covered in most eventualities. You can usually add on policies such as cancellation insurance. That way you won’t lose too much money in case of unforeseen circumstances. This is particularly recommended if you’re travelling in a group, because the likelihood of something happening is higher when there are multiple people involved.
How to choose the best short-term travel insurance?
When choosing the best travel insurance for you, you need to think about where you’re going, what activities you plan on doing when you get there and the risks involved, as well as how long you’re going for. You should also consider your age and any pre-existing health conditions you have. Some insurers do not cover pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, so do your research and make sure you check with your provider. Your insurer may ask for a health check or medical assessment.
Basic travel insurance cover
Typically, short-term insurance covers at least two things, no matter where you go:
- Medical and hospitalisation expenses as well as repatriation if necessary. Medical fees vary depending on the rates applied in the country you are travelling in.
- Civil liability, for any material or bodily injury to others that you could possibly cause.
Specialised short-term travel insurance
In addition to these essential insurance policies, short-term insurance policies often cover other incidents. These include:
- Luggage insurance in case of loss, damage or theft
- Returning home early if necessary
- Trip cancellation
- Flight delay
- Legal assistance.
You can pay for your insurance by the week or by the month. It works out cheaper if you pay by the month. Depending on the insurance, you can even sign up with the whole family or groups of friends, which will also save you money.
Single Trip insurance providers
Go Walkabout
Cheap Annual Travel Insurance for multiple trips per year
Go Walkabout Insurance policies are available to UK residents up to the age of 99. The Annual Multi Trip insurance policy covers multiple trips up to 31 or 45 days each. You can also buy add-ons for cruises, gadgets and winter sports.
Thanks to our collaboration with Go Walkabout, we are able to offer you a 10% promo code on any policy. Just click on the button below and use the PROMO CODE: ABG10
Safety Wing
Nomad Insurance
Nomad Insurance is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy it even if you are already abroad. After 90 days abroad, you’re covered for brief visits back home for up to 30 days (15 days for US residents).
Chapka
Cap Assistance 24/7
Chapka collaborates with Europ Assistance, one of the leading insurance companies.
They cover travellers of all ages for overseas trips of less than 90 days. You’ll get a 15% discount if you take out insurance for several people from the same family or group, from three to nine people.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from those companies using the links. We do not represent the insurance companies. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
There are numerous comparison websites with search engines that provide an overwhelming number of travel insurance options. It’s difficult to make a general comparison, as individual interests and plans differ. We have been working successfully with the partners listed above, but if their policies don’t meet your needs, you will surely find a travel insurance provider that offers what you want from doing your own research.
