Hello there!
Thank you so much for taking our newsletter quiz, we hope you found it useful! Below are the answers to each question.
If you enjoyed testing yourself and would like more of this type of content in our monthly newsletter, please do let us know at hello@travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk. We’d really welcome your feedback!
1) After booking a holiday, when should you purchase your travel insurance policy?
A. Immediately after, I’ve done my research and I already know which provider I’ll use.
B. Soon after, I’ll probably spend a week or so shopping around for the best price before I buy anything.
C. As long as I get it before I board the flight, it’ll be fine!
The answer is A. To make sure your trip is fully protected against the unexpected we would strongly suggest taking out the most appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday.
2) If you travel to a destination on the ‘amber’ list, how long do you have to isolate for on your return?
A. 10 days, with PCR tests taken on days 2 and 8 of the isolation period. However, if I take an additional PCR test on day 5 and test negative for Covid-19, I can end self-isolation early.
B. 10 days, but if I test negative on day 2 of my isolation period, I can end self-isolation early.
C. You don’t need to isolate when returning from an ‘amber’ list country.
The answer is A. Anyone returning from an ‘amber’ destination must self-isolate for 10 days upon their return. They must also take a PCR test on days 2 and 8 of their isolation period. Although, travellers can end their quarantine on day 5 if they pay for a private test to complete the ‘Test to Release’ scheme.
However, it’s worth being aware that you cannot use the ‘Test to Release’ scheme if you’ve been in or through a country on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England. Find out more about travelling to an ‘amber’ destination here.
3) If you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), do you still need to buy travel insurance?
A. Yes! An EHIC or GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. They may not cover all health costs and won’t cover emergency repatriation costs.
B. I’d probably only get travel insurance if my EHIC or GHIC was about to expire.
C. I don’t need travel insurance as well. The whole point of an EHIC or GHIC is to allow British tourists to access free healthcare in European countries.
Surprise. The answer is A – I think you’re getting the hang of this now! Whether you have an EHIC or a GHIC, you must still protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy. Not only because the cards do not always cover all health costs, but because they won’t cover all other unexpected events that can happen during a trip, for example, trip cancellation or lost luggage! Find out more about the EHIC and GHIC here.
4) Would your travel insurance cover you to visit a country that had been taken off the ‘green’ list and put on the ‘amber’ list?
A. Yes, my insurer would cover me, as long as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) did not advise against “all but essential travel” to that particular country.
B. No, my insurer would only cover me to visit countries on the ‘green’ list.
C. Travel insurance policies will cover you to submit claims wherever you travel to.
You guessed it – A again. Some tour operators have said that they will continue to operate holidays to countries classified as ‘amber’, provided FCDO does not advise against “all but essential” travel to them.
Therefore, if the FCDO and traffic light system advice is not consistent for the destination you plan to travel to, we would advise that you follow the FCDO’s travel advice as the majority of travel insurance policies will not cover you if you travel against their guidance and later submit a claim.
5) Should you protect holidays in the UK with travel insurance?
A. There’s still every chance something could happen before or during your holiday that means you need to claim.
B. Possibly. Although, I don’t see the benefit of a UK policy as we have access to free health via the NHS in the UK.
C. What a waste of money!
Drum roll please… and the answer to question 5 is, of course, A! Now, we know that travel insurance for a holiday in the UK may appear to be a waste of money, but they actually provide you with more unique cover, tailored to those unfortunate mishaps that can happen during a UK getaway.
For example, some UK policies will provide you with cover for events such as property damage, should you accidentally break something in your holiday home, and not get your deposit back. While others offer cover for things like vehicle breakdown, which can be a real perk if you only have ‘near home’ cover on your roadside policy and need assistance while on your way to your holiday destination. Want to know more? Click here if everything you need to know about staycation cover.
