A travel insurance broker protects you from unforeseen eventualities that you may come across while travelling. A good insurance broker will help you to understand and identify your needs, to look for the best insurance proposals meeting your requirements, to make the ‘jargon’ found in most insurance contracts like business travel insurance, pre-existing medical condition insurance, etc. a comprehensive one, and to look after the smooth adjustment of losses that might occur during the policy period.
Travel Insurance Broker UK
The UK travel insurance broker provides access to many insurance products to protect their clients from financial difficulty or hardship. They provide indemnity against minor risks such as loss of luggage, a delayed flight, and even major risks like medical emergencies and trip cancellation. A travel insurance broker can identify the policies that meet your needs and price-shop the choices for you. It’s important to ask questions and ensure your UK travel insurance policy provides or covers your safety needs
However, there are certain things you need to know while purchasing an insurance travel UK plan. They include:
#1. Cancellations
The policy helps to cover your trip if a sudden cancellation of your trip happens. They cover a range of reasons like; Illness or death in your family or of a business partner, Jury service, Serious fire, flood, or storm damage to your home or business premises, a request from the police not to go away following a burglary at your home or office. You should be able to reclaim any holiday costs you cannot recover, apart from the cost of insurance. Make sure the policy covers both you and your travel companions.
#2. Medical Expenses
Healthcare in the UK is quite expensive. If, by any means, you fall sick or sustain an injury that needs some medical assistance. The medical expenses incurred will cause a major dent in your travel budget. Therefore, you must purchase a UK travel insurance policy with a higher sum insured. The higher your sum insured amount is, the greater coverage you will receive in case of an emergency. Moreover, senior citizens travellers should also opt for a higher sum insured amount as they are more prone to sickness and age-related health problems.
#3. Delays And Missed Departure
If your luggage delays you, the UK insurance policy will compensate you for more than twelve hours on your external journey. This will enable you to buy replacement items but don’t forget to keep the receipts for everything you buy. You may also receive a lump sum if you encounter a delay in your departure or if you miss your flight for a valid reason. This should cover any travel expenses you incur in reaching your final destination.
#4. Flight Accident or Accidental Death Coverage
Flight accidents and Accidental death insurance cover accidents that occur during flights made by a licensed commercial airline. If these accidents result in serious injury, disability, or death to the traveller, the policy pays the benefit to the beneficiaries. However, the insurance likewise covers death issues that may occur as a result of sickness or an overdose of drugs. Other additional benefits of purchasing a plan include having access to a 24-hour hotline service to assist you and a collision damage waiver (in case you get into an accident with a rented car).
#5. Personal Liability
The UK travel insurance broker insures you against personal liability. If you injure someone or damage their property and they try to sue you. The insurance covers your liability, however, the UK travel broker will pay up to the maximum amount specified for loss, injury, or damage that you or the insured people cause during your travel.
If any third party accuses you of any claim. Don’t settle for a claim before notifying your brokers. You should allow your insurers and brokers to take over and conduct the formal proceedings in your name. You must also fully corporate and assist as necessary.
#6. Legal Expenses
Some policies will pay you a legal fee if you decide to sue a third party for damages as a result of personal injury or death.
#7. Personal Belongings
Your insurance should cover your personal belongings and cash against loss or damage. However, the UK travel insurance broker expects you to look after your possessions at all times. Most policies impose a limit on the coverage of any one item. So it might be worth adding ‘all risks’ coverage to your household contents insurance and valuables like jewellery or cameras. Some policies pay a set amount for the loss of a passport. This should cover any extra travel and lodging expenses you incur to replace it.
If you lose or have something stolen, report the incident to the local police within 24 hours, and you get a written confirmation of what you did. Also, try to protect your luggage. Below are tips that will keep you on thief-free trips:
- Don’t leave your belongings unattended
- Never leave valuables on display in your car
- Always leave valuables in a hotel safe or safe deposit box
- Keep money, documents, and valuables with you when travelling
#8. Annual Cover
If you’re lucky enough to take several holidays a year, or if you travel frequently on business, you should consider annual travel insurance. This type of travel insurance is based on a yearly fee regardless of the number of trips you make. It can be a lot cheaper than taking out separate cover every time you travel.
#9. Extended Stays
The UK travel insurance broker also offers policies that cater for people who take long-stay winter holidays and round-the-world trips.
However, before you go, check your household contents insurance. Some policies stipulate that homes should not be empty for more than 30 days without informing the insurance broker.
#10. Hazardous Pursuits
More and more holidays offer the opportunity to enjoy a range of active pursuits. Bungee jumping, scuba diving, parascending, and motorcycling are typical of the sort of activity you may receive, so talk to your broker, who will be happy to arrange an extension to your cover.
#11. Motoring Abroad
If you’re planning to take your car abroad, you must have adequate insurance before you leave the country. The UK motor insurance provides the minimum cover required for other countries. However, this will not be enough if an accident unfortunately occurs. Nor will it cover you for theft, fire, or damage to your vehicle, and it may not cover your legal liabilities to other people.
So make sure you have the same level of cover that you have in the UK. Check your policy carefully, as some brokers provide free continental cover for a limited period each year.
Travel Insurance Broker Pre-Existing Medical Condition
Travel insurance brokers for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions should offer cover for medical costs. If you injure yourself or fall ill while abroad. However, if your illness is related to a pre-existing medical condition, your travel insurance broker may refuse to cover the cost. You must try as much as possible to declare your pre-existing health conditions beforehand, and be sure you are clear on what cover you can and can’t receive.
However, some companies cater specifically for people with any pre-existing medical condition, but you may request a letter from your doctor saying that you are fit to travel. You won’t get covered if you are advised against travelling with any pre-existing medical condition. Moreover, if you are within the last two months of pregnancy, or are travelling to obtain medical treatment abroad. As a traveller needing ongoing medical treatment or with a serious medical condition, you will likely be quoted a very expensive travel insurance policy. The increased premium depends on what your pre-existing medical condition is, but generally, the more severe the illness, the more you will be insured. Some of these medical pre-existing conditions are listed below, including:
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Strokes and high blood pressure
- Heart conditions
- Respiratory issues
- Diabetes
- Cystic fibrosis
- Back pain or joint problems
- Psychological conditions
- Others are also included, check with your travel insurance broker
Options For Travellers With Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you’ll still find travel insurance but it’s important to declare it beforehand. Your broker can file for non-disclosure if they believe you have hidden medical information from them when purchasing a policy.
Moreover, before you travel, make sure you see your doctor. They will advise you on the precautions you should take while travelling and will supply you with the information you need to provide when purchasing a policy. This will help to economise your spending as some insurance brokers will cater to specific medical conditions and provide better rates with more specialised policies.
As well as covering expenses related to your condition, travel insurance provided by these specialist brokers will include cancellation, personal liability, lost luggage, and emergency assistance.
Business Travel Insurance Broker
The business travel insurance broker provides single and annual worldwide multi-trip travel insurance for companies and enterprises. All policies come with emergency assistance, providing peace of mind and an easy trip abroad.Â
The extent of your protection under a business travel insurance broker policy varies from provider to provider. Most business travel insurance broker policies include the same forms of cover as travel insurance for leisure trips, such as medical expenses and cover for cancelled flights.
Business travel insurance broker covers a range of business trips as standard, this tends to include:
- Any disruption to travel, such as cancelled flights, delays, and missed connections.
- Cancelling your trip ahead of time, or cutting it short, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a sudden bereavement.
- Replacing lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and belongings, including passports.
- Medical costs if you fall ill, and medical repatriation costs if you urgently need to return home.
- Legal support in the event of an accident or illness.
- Loss of Frequent Flyer Points
More extensive business travel insurance coverage may also protect any business equipment and samples you need to take on your trip from theft, loss, or damage. This includes paying for you to buy or hire replacement equipment while you are on your trip
Single Trip vs Annual Policies
If you want to purchase business travel insurance, you will find options for single trip insurance and annual insurance.
- Single trip business travel insurance. You would take out this kind of short-term policy if you are only intending to make one business trip in a year.
- Annual business travel insurance. If you are looking to make multiple business trips in a year, the flexibility of an annual policy is potentially more appropriate.
Moreover, business trips are often in groups. For instance, you might be a small business taking a team to an expo. It is possible to take out business travel insurance for your entire party under the same policy. This will only apply, however, if you are all travelling together.
Broker travel Insurance
A broker for travel insurance is quite helpful if you need specialist cover. If you’re travelling somewhere and unfortunately secured several underlying health conditions or are planning to partake in some high-risk sports, it can be a good idea to use a broker travel insurance to help you secure the best deal. Broker travel insurance often receive significantly better deals than direct customers, so they can help you build a custom-made policy for a reasonable price. Even after taking their cut, you can end up with more extensive cover for a lower insurance charge than if you approached a provider directly.
Becoming a broker travel Insurance
If you want to become a travel insurance broker, the qualifications you need vary, but often include a high school diploma or GED certificate and state licensure. There are relevant degree programs available, but many employers provide on-the-job training. Sales skills, customer service experience, and basic computer literacy are important for this job. The responsibilities of travel insurance brokers are to provide insurance for travellers, protecting them from cancellations or issues with flights, trips, hotels, cruises, car rentals, or entire vacation packages.
FAQs
Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2022
- Best Overall: Travelex.
- Runner-Up, Best: Allianz Travel Insurance.
- Best Value: InsureMyTrip.
- Most Comprehensive Coverage: World Nomads.
- Best for Seniors: HTH Travel Insurance.
- Cruises: Nationwide.
- Best for Medical Coverage: GeoBlue.
Who is the best insurance broker?
TOP INSURANCE BROKERS
- #1: Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.
- #2: Aon PLC.
- #3: Willis Towers Watson PLC.
- #4: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
- #5: Hub International Ltd.
- #6: Brown & Brown Inc.
- #7: Truist Insurance Holdings Inc.
- #8: Lockton Cos. LLC.
What is the job of an insurance broker?
Insurance Broker is a specialist in insurance and risk management. Insurance brokers liaise between clients and insurance companies, with a goal to find the best deal to suit their clients’ needs.
How many insurance brokers are there in the US?
There are 424,564 Insurance Brokers & Agencies businesses in the US as of 2022, an increase of 0.8% from 2021.
