Extending your travel insurance

Extending Travel insurance is possible depending on your plan and when you want to do it. Some plans offer add-on extensions you can buy upfront, which extends your protection for a certain period while you’re travelling. However, in most cases, you cannot extend once your original coverage expires. There might be exceptions for emergencies or quarantines, but it generally depends on the insurer.

The key is to plan ahead. If you think you might need more coverage, check if your plan allows extensions before you buy it. Otherwise, contact your travel insurance provider directly to see if extending during your trip is an option.

There are some things which you ought to know when you want to extend your travel insurance, while on holiday or not. Selecting your travel dates that are to be included in the insurance cover is very important, as any claim on insurance would be processed, taking into account the period of the insurance cover only. This means that if any eventuality happens (flight cancellations that disrupt your holiday plans or cancellation of confirmed hotel bookings, etc.) outside the cover period, you will have no claim. Also note that while extending your holiday travel insurance, before its expiry is usually possible, even when you are abroad, but extension after expiry is most unlikely.

A standard holiday insurance policy may not be enough if the period of your holiday is longer than a month or more. It might, also, not include certain activities like adventure travel, adventure sports, animal safaris or even backpacking. These may be covered under optionals, which are add-ons to the policy. Do not take these for granted as your insurer may refuse to pay your claims. Remember, policy premiums are always calculated on the gravity of the risks. The higher the risk, the higher would be the premium.

Winter sports holiday is another area which, normally, does not come under standard insurance cover and even if they do, check if it covers snowboarding or piste skiing. Check if your insurance provider covers the activity you want to undertake during your holiday. As always, read the fine print of your policy and get everything documented before you sign on.

Should You Extend Your Travel Insurance?

Extending travel insurance depends on whether your trip is getting longer. If you decide to stay past your original return date, it’s advisable to extend your insurance to stay covered for medical emergencies, trip interruptions, or other unexpected events. An extension comes with an extra cost. Before extending, consider the cost of the extension and how well your current plan covers your needs for the extra days. Some plans offer add-on extensions upfront, while others allow for extensions during the trip itself. Also, review if your policy makes exceptions for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances that could necessitate an extension, such as medical emergencies.

In some cases, buying a new short-term travel insurance plan might be cheaper. However, if you’re planning a long term trip, a 12-month travel insurance policy, also called multi-trip insurance, could be a more cost-effective option in the long run. These plans offer coverage for multiple trips throughout a year, so you’d be covered for your extended stay and any future adventures within the 12-month period.

The best option? Talk to your travel insurance provider directly. They’ll give you specific details on extending your plan, the cost involved, and answer any questions you have about your coverage.

Extending Travel Insurance While Abroad

Extending your travel insurance while abroad can be possible depending on your insurance provider and the terms of your policy, but it’s best to act before your current coverage ends. Some policies might even have built-in extension options you can purchase while abroad. The key thing to remember is that extensions can’t cover incidents that happened before you extended. So, if you miss a flight a day before extending, you won’t be reimbursed.

If you find yourself needing to extend coverage while already travelling, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about extending your policy. Some insurers offer options for extending coverage while you’re already abroad, although this may come with certain conditions or limitations. Inquire about any associated costs or fees for extending your policy, as well as any necessary documentation or procedures required. Keep in mind that the ability to extend coverage while abroad may vary depending on factors such as your current location, the reason for extension, and the terms of your insurance policy. Therefore, it’s advisable to reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible to explore your options and ensure you have adequate coverage for the duration of your trip. If your extension is short-term, a new travel insurance plan might be more affordable.

Renewing Travel Insurance vs Extending Travel Insurance

Renewing travel insurance and extending travel insurance are not the same thing. Here’s a breakdown of the difference:

• Travel insurance renewal: This applies to annual or multi-trip travel insurance plans. When your existing policy nears its expiry date (usually 12 months), you can choose to renew it for another year. This essentially restarts your coverage from scratch, with a fresh set of terms and conditions, and might require a new medical questionnaire.
• Travel insurance extension: This applies to single-trip travel insurance plans. If your trip goes longer than originally planned, you can extend your existing coverage for the extra days. An extension usually incurs an additional premium based on the number of extra days you need coverage for. Your existing terms and conditions typically remain the same.