What is Martin Lewis travel insurance advice?

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Martin Lewis’ advice on travel insurance includes information on when and how to insure your holiday. In addition to providing general information on what to look out for when reviewing travel insurance policies, Martin Lewis also advises on travel insurance for the over 70s and cruise travel insurance too.

Who is the Money Saving Expert’s Martin Lewis?

Martin Lewis OBE is a journalist, TV & radio presenter, campaigner and peoples champion for consumer rights. Famous for saving people money, Lewis is renowned for challenging unfair practices by industry giants like the banks and energy companies.

Having founded the Money Saving Expert website in 2003, Martin Lewis is now the UK’s most googled British man.

Don’t wait to buy travel insurance

Many people wait until just before they travel to buy holiday insurance however Martin Lewis warns against this. Money Saving Expert advises to book your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday, so you are covered for events leading to cancelation before you travel.

Make sure your holiday insurance suits your requirements

This section of the Money Saving Expert travel insurance guide explains what could be covered in your insurance including:

• Medical cover – the cost of being treated abroad and repatriation fees
• Cancellation cover – if you can’t go on holiday because of redundancy, illness or jury service
• Baggage and personal belongings – in the event your belongings are lost, stolen or damaged
• Personal liability – protecting others against accidents you cause whilst on holiday
• Delays – if your flight has been delayed over a specified number of hours

The amount of cover you get and the excess you’re willing to pay will vary from policy to policy so it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

The guide also covers what isn’t covered by holiday insurance including pre-existing medical conditions, alcohol related injuries, dangerous sporting activities, belongings left unattended, travel to dangerous countries and being refused entry to the country you are visiting.

Finally, this section highlights the difference between european and worldwide travel insurance and warns against being duped into buying upgraded travel insurance if you don’t need it.

Be honest about pre-existing conditions

As with any type of insurance, it’s important to be honest with your insurer as withholding information may invalidate your policy. Martin Lewis therefore advises when arranging holiday insurance to always disclose any pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Compare annual vs single trip travel insurance

You may think single trip travel insurance may be cheaper however if you think you are going to travel more than once in the year, annual travel insurance may be better.

Check if your bank provides travel insurance

As many packaged bank accounts provide travel insurance as part of the service, you may find you are already covered. Therefore, Martin Lewis’ advice is to check before you buy.

What else does the Money Saving Expert say about travel insurance?

In addition to buying the right travel insurance to suit your needs and being honest when you apply, Martin Lewis and the Money Saving Expert team provide information on the following hot topics:

Martin Lewis on travel insurance after Brexit

Brexit’s impact on Travel insurance and what happens after the 31st December 2020 is still unknown. Lewis states that currently it looks as though there shouldn’t be disruption to transportation or change to flight delay compensation rules however you may have to pay a £6 visa waiver for EU holidays.

In this state of influx, if you’re planning a holiday after Brexit, it’s important to read the terms and conditions of a travel insurance policy before buying it.

Also remember that although the future of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is unknown, you can still use it until the end of this year.

Martin Lewis on cruise travel insurance

Cruise travel insurance is worth considering if you’re heading to the seas. Regular holiday insurance will cover medical fees and loss or damage to your belongings however upgrading to cruise travel insurance ensures you’re also covered for missed departures, changes in itinerary, unused excursions, or cabin confinement due to virus’.

Martin Lewis on travel insurance for the over 70s

Martin Lewis’ travel advice to over 65 and 70 year olds is similar to that for younger travelers. Honesty where pre-existing medical conditions are concerned  is a must. This may mean you need to get specialist travel cover but at least you know your holiday insurance will be valid.

In addition, Money Saving Expert warns older travelers holidaying with family to compare group and individual holiday insurance. Group travel insurance covers several people under one policy which can save money. However, as the cost of group insurance is usually based on the oldest traveler, separate cover may be cheaper.

Martin Lewis on travel money

Martin Lewis provides information and tips on getting the best travel money deals. You can also compare exchange rates with their travel money comparison tool TravelMoneyMax. Lewis advises that the ‘right’ specialist card can be best when chosen wisely but to be aware of credit card or debit card charges.

Money Saving Expert also warn against buying travel money at airports as the exchange rates are some of the worst you can get.

Martin Lewis on Coronavirus travel rights

Coronavirus has brought most of the world to a standstill where travel is concerned. Flights, holidays and events have been cancelled and borders for many countries closed, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warning against all non-essential travel.

The situation is changing constantly so Martin Lewis’ best advice for travel during the coronavirus pandemic is to check with the FCO.

Does the Money Saving Expert offer travel insurance?

Money Saving Expert offer travel insurance through several different companies, including insurance providers and comparison websites. These include but are not limited to Coverwise, MoneySupermarket, Confused, Gocompare and Compare the Market.

Using online comparison services like Over50choices travel insurance comparison tool gives you the opportunity to check prices with the UKs leading insurers. But in addition to checking the price, as Martin Lewis warns, it’s also essential to check the terms and conditions too.

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