How to Get Travel Insurance Right (Without Overpaying)

Travel insurance is one of those categories where the cheapest option is rarely the right one — but the most expensive is rarely necessary either. Here is how to assess what you actually need.

What Standard Travel Insurance Covers

A solid travel insurance policy covers medical expenses abroad, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost or delayed baggage, and travel delay. The premium difference between a bare-minimum policy and one with comprehensive medical cover is typically small — medical cover is the one area where under-insuring is genuinely dangerous.

What It Often Doesn't Cover

Pre-existing conditions require explicit declaration and are often excluded unless a premium is paid. High-value electronics (cameras, laptops) typically require a separate valuables rider. Adventure sports — cycling, skiing, water sports — often require a specific policy upgrade. Discovia's insurance integration, where available, is designed to flag these exclusions clearly during booking.

Annual vs Single-Trip Policies

For travellers taking 3 or more trips per year, an annual multi-trip policy almost always provides better value than multiple single-trip policies. The combination of a Discovia subscription and an annual travel insurance policy creates a cost structure that rewards frequent travel significantly.

How to Claim When Things Go Wrong

Document everything immediately. Medical receipts, police reports for theft, airline delay certificates — all are required for claims. Store them digitally in the same account as your Discovia booking references, so everything is in one place when you need it.