Understanding Travel Insurance: What Your Policy Does Not Cover

Travel insurance is sold on its headline numbers — a large medical limit, a baggage figure. The claims that get rejected almost always turn on the exclusions instead.

Pre-existing conditions

Standard policies exclude anything related to a condition you had before purchase, including complications. If you have a declared condition, you need a policy that specifically covers it, and you must declare it at purchase rather than at claim.

Adventure activities

Skiing, scuba diving below a certain depth, trekking above a stated altitude and any motorised two-wheeler use are commonly excluded. Renting a scooter in Bali or Thailand without an International Driving Permit voids most policies entirely.

Cancellation reasons

'Change of mind' is never covered. Cancellation cover applies to a specific listed set of reasons — illness, bereavement, jury duty. Read that list before you assume you are protected.

Baggage claims

Most policies require a Property Irregularity Report filed with the airline before you leave the airport. Without it, the claim is generally closed regardless of merit.

Our advice is simple: spend fifteen minutes on the exclusions page. It is more useful than comparing the sum insured across three providers.