Travel Insurance Checklist: 7 Things to Check Before You Buy
1. Medical cover limit — for the US, this should be £5m+ given how expensive American hospital treatment is.
2. Pre-existing medical conditions — these must be declared; undeclared conditions are the single biggest reason claims get refused.
3. Winter sports / adventure activities — standard policies usually exclude skiing, scuba diving below certain depths, and some watersports unless you add a specific extension.
4. Cancellation cover limit — check it actually covers the full cost of your trip, not just a capped amount.
5. Excess per claim — a cheap policy with a high excess can cost more than a slightly pricier one if you ever claim.
6. Annual multi-trip vs single-trip — if you take 2+ trips a year, annual cover is almost always cheaper overall.
7. Baggage and gadget cover — check single-item limits; a stolen laptop or phone is often capped well below its replacement value.