Travel insurance policy start date?

Question

The travel insurance i want to buy includes cancellation cover. Do i put the policy start date as the start of my holiday? because if i do that am i covered from now if i have to cancel? =/ sorry im 19 i don't get stuff like this!!

Answer 1

Yes, put the start date as the first day of your hol - the day you travel. You are insured for luggage loss etc from then to the end of the holiday, but if you have to cancel due to illness, and the illness starts before the first date of the hol, you will still be covered at the start if you see what I mean. You need to check the exclusions to see if any specific things are excluded (eg sometimes you can cancel if a parent/child is ill and you have to look after them, rather than yourself being ill)

Answer 2

In the USA you would put the day that you're leaving your home to begin your trip as your departure date and the day that you're returning to your home as your return date.  Travel insurance policies usually have 2 effective dates; one for the trip cancellation which is the day after you purchase the insurance, and the other for the post departure coverage (medical, baggage, trip delay, etc) which is the departure date that you've indicated.

Answer 3

Hi I work in the travel industry and sell travel insurance everyday.

You need to put the first date you begin your travels. But in an event of cancellation from the day you purchase your policy then you are automatically covered if you had to cancel your trip in the event of medical etc etc.

Enjoy your Holidays

xx

Answer 4

Since it is just for travel insurance, I would put the date as the earliest starting moment of your holiday.  For example 5pm on the last day of working before the holiday.

Answer 5

Yeah, Peaches had it pretty much spot on. Assuming you have a good reason to cancel of course (medical = OK, death in the family usually = OK, not being bothered anymore = tough).