Planning an epic adventure longer than a month but less than a year? 6-month travel insurance can be an ideal fit for you. Whether you’re backpacking through Southeast Asia, volunteering in Africa, or reconnecting with family abroad, having the right coverage protects you from unexpected bumps on the road.
If your trip is longer than 31 days but less than a year, a 6-month policy is the most cost-effective option, compared to buying multiple 1-month policies. Unlike purchasing multiple 1-month policies, which can quickly add up in expenses, the 6-month option offers a cost-effective solution while ensuring continuous coverage throughout your extended trip. Moreover, if you have a loose travel plan with potential for extensions, a 6-month policy offers flexibility and security. Many insurance providers offer the option to extend travel insurance coverage if needed.
However, if your travel habits involve multiple short trips scattered throughout the year, a multi-trip annual policy may offer greater convenience and overall cost savings. If you frequently embark on shorter trips within a year, considering a multi-trip annual policy or a 12-month travel insurance policy could also be beneficial in providing comprehensive coverage for all your travel needs throughout the year.
One of the commonly used extended stay travel insurance is the backpacker insurance. You do not necessarily have to be a backpacker when you opt for the 6-months backpacker insurance policy. The name is just to categorize the policy.
Travel insurance for 6 months abroad
While a lot of people believe that they are healthy and never need travel insurance on their travels, they couldn’t be more wrong. Travel insurance is for much for than your normal health protection – If you have chosen wisely, it covers things that are the most menial, i.e, camera breaking, to those that are much more serious, i.e, cancelled flights or death in the family forcing you to come home or stolen possessions. It is the single most important thing you should get but hope to never have to use. All these situations can occur at any time, so before you travel, be mindful, do your homework, and have travel insurance for at least 6 months.
Travel insurance is one of the most complex and confusing aspects of planning a vacation or a trip. With the myriad of plans and companies out there, people can easily get confused about what they should get and why. But, what is imperative is that rather than not getting it due to the time it takes and struggling later on, you should always spend some time to choose and buy the best possible option before you leave.
On the road, travel insurance is a must-have. You never know what could happen, and most health and other insurance plans that you might have locally, don’t cover you for your unexpected situations overseas. It is something that you hope you never have to use, but rather than being clever and not signing up to it, you should be safe than sorry later on. While it totally depends on as to what length of insurance you should buy – the most ideal is one for 6 months.
Six months travel insurance cover
So now that we have determined that a travel insurance before a vacation is a must, let’s look at the things that you should be on the lookout for before choosing the right option.
The right six travel insurance should always include most of the following aspects:
- It should cover most countries in the world.
- It should have certain coverage for your electronic gadgets such as laptop.
- It should definitely cover injury and sudden illnesses.
- Have access to 24-hour emergency services and help.
- Cover for lost, damaged, or stolen possessions like jewelry, etc.
- Cover for cancellations such as hotel bookings, flights, and other transportation bookings in case of unavoidable emergencies.
- Cover for emergencies or problems in the country that force you to leave early.
- Cover for any legal expenses that may be incurred.
Whereas one might feel that these are quite exhaustive in nature, but planning for all eventualities is better than being left in a situation that goes out of hand later on. In terms of the time frames for travel insurances, you should always make sure that you not only cover for the days that you plan to stay abroad, but also keep a leeway for a few days over the expected arrival back date. This way, in case of over-staying, you should still be covered. For example, if you plan to have a vacation for 5 months, take a plan that has all the above-mentioned points, and covers you for a good 6 months.
There are some pretty comprehensive travel insurance policies which are perfect for an extended period of stay abroad. Its comprehensive cover not only insures you for 6 months but also sets your mind at rest.
6 Month Travel Insurance Cost
When considering the cost of 6-month travel insurance, you need to understand the key coverages, estimated costs, and affordable providers available for UK travelers. Prices serve as indicators and can vary based on several factors, including age, destination, pre-existing conditions, and the chosen plan. For emergency medical and other expenses, various plans offer different levels of coverage at corresponding costs. For instance, a Backpacker or Basic Plan may provide £2-5 million in cover, with daily hospital benefits ranging from £50-£100 and personal accident cover between £5,000-£10,000, priced at approximately £300-£600.
On the other hand, a Comprehensive Plan could offer higher coverage limits of £5-10 million, daily hospital benefits of £100-£200, and personal accident cover of £10,000-£20,000, costing around £500-£800. For senior citizens requiring specific cover for pre-existing conditions, the cost tends to be higher than standard plans, starting from £800.
When it comes to other coverages such as travel delay and trip cancellation, you should consider the waiting periods, daily limits, excess (deductible), coverage percentage, and maximum payout. For example, accommodation coverage typically kicks in after 6–12 hours of delay, with daily limits ranging from £50-£100, and the excess commonly between £50-£100 per claim. Trip cancellation coverage often constitutes 5-10% of the total trip cost, with maximum payouts varying between £2,000-£10,000, depending on individual policy limits and the reason for cancellation.
In addition to these primary coverages, you may opt for additional cover such as mugging/theft, personal liability, gadget insurance, adventure sports cover, and winter sports cover. Costs for these additional coverages vary based on factors like the value of gadgets, chosen activities, and the level of risk involved. For instance, gadget insurance may cost £10-£20 per month for basic coverage, while adventure sports cover and winter sports cover can range from £20-£50 per month, depending on the chosen activities and provider.
Bear in mind that these figures are indicative, and actual costs may vary significantly based on individual circumstances and policy specifics. Always refer to the specific policy wording for detailed coverage, limits, and exclusions. To ensure the best value for your needs, consider using comparison websites like MoneySupermarket or CompareTheMarket to obtain quotes from multiple providers and compare specific figures for your desired coverages.
Can you get travel insurance when you’re already abroad?
Purchasing a 6-month travel insurance while already abroad depends on several factors that influence the availability and eligibility of such coverage. Firstly, your current location plays a significant role, as some insurance providers restrict their “already abroad” policies to residents of specific countries, and these options may not be accessible in all destinations. Additionally, your travel history is a crucial consideration; if you’ve experienced any medical incidents or filed claims during your trip, obtaining new coverage is unlikely. While some providers offer “backpackers” or “multi-trip” policies allowing coverage extension while abroad, these options might not align with the full 6-month duration you seek.
Different insurance companies have varying policies and restrictions, necessitating direct inquiry to determine availability and eligibility. Generally, securing 6-month travel insurance while already abroad may pose challenges and come with limitations.
Can you get UK travel insurance if you live abroad?
Your residential status plays a crucial role in determining your eligibility for UK travel insurance. If you maintain UK residency by fulfilling criteria such as paying taxes and possessing a UK address, you’re typically eligible for UK travel insurance for trips outside the UK. This is because your primary residence remains in the UK. However, if you no longer hold UK residency status, obtaining UK travel insurance becomes more complex. While some providers may offer specialized “expat” travel insurance for UK citizens living abroad, many standard UK travel insurance policies may not cover individuals whose permanent residence is outside the UK.
The destination of your travels further influences your eligibility for UK travel insurance while living abroad. If you’re planning to travel to the UK while residing abroad, you may still be eligible for UK travel insurance, particularly if you maintain UK residency status. However, it’s essential to note that some providers might impose specific restrictions or limitations for travel to your home country. Conversely, if you’re living abroad and intending to travel elsewhere, you’ll likely require travel insurance tailored for your current residency. In such cases, you may need to explore options offered by local insurance companies or providers specializing in expat insurance to ensure adequate coverage for your travel needs.
Insure your 6 month travel abroad
Travel insurance policies differ from provider to provider, but as a general rule the higher the premium the cover is more comprehensive. So read the fine print carefully and go through the terms and conditions to make sure what your 6-month travel insurance covers. You could opt for 6 month travel insurance if you are visiting Europe as you would be visiting any other lovely countries, and it is quite easy to extend your stay. These travel insurances also apply for South America, Africa, Australia, India or the USA and Canada.