TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance should be a relatively straightforward topic but there are a number of things that for some people can make it not as simple as just ordering online off a website. 1/ Are you over 65?   Many companies stop offering travel insurance to those aged over 65! I have never been sure why as everything i read suggests that in the UK this age group not only is growing but takes more holidays too!! Anyway all is not lost as there are a number of companies that do continue to offer travel insurance and some that have no age restrictions at all. Further details can be found here. 2/ Where are you travelling too? Strangely for places like Egypt which are experiencing more and more UK holidaymakers each year some companies allow it under their European policies while others classify it under worldwide which costs more. One that covers more countries than most is AA travel insurance as under europe you get cover for Libya, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. 3/ European Health Card This is not really an alternative to travel insurance as it will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK if you are seriously ill or lost or stolen property but it is worth having as often if you use it, it will stop you having to pay any excess on your travel insurance.  4/ Single trip or annual? If you are likely to take more than one foreign holiday trip each year then check the prices as often an annual policy can work out cheaper than having to take out 2 single trip policies over the year. 5/ Finally shop around! If you use a high street travel agent to book your holiday they will try and sell you theirs but often this works out a lot more expensive than the offers that are available online so before saying yes check to make sure they are offering you a good deal.

Below are a selection of  UK travel insurance companies with details of their latest offers to help you find cheap annual or single trip travel insurance and the best for your requirements.

ONLINE OFFERS TO HELP YOU GET CHEAPER TRAVEL INSURANCE
PROVIDER	ONLINE DISCOUNT	AGE LIMIT	FURTHER INFORMATION
LV=Liverpool Victoria	15%	Cover a single trip, or get an annual multi-trip policy .
Saga	Up to 5%	No age restrictions so suitable for elderly travellers
Columbus Direct	10%	Good value with annual policies from as little as £30 and over 12 million people have booked travel insurance directly with Columbus.
AA	10% Discount for members	Benefits of AA Travel Insuance: Emergency assistance available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; Medical expenses up to £10,000,000 Cancellation cover up to £5,000; Discounts for couples & families Special rates for single-parent families; Cover for business travel included AA travel insurance can provide cover up to the age of 79.
AMERICAN EXPRESS	5%	With a low excess and access to the very best in worldwide expert assistance, you can relax in the knowledge that American Express Travel Insurance has you covered.