Multitrip.com have confirmed Covid-19 travel insurance cover for Green List countries. This will be added to new and existing policies.

The government has finally announced the list of Green List countries that will allow people travel to, without having to restrict their movements for 14 days on their return. The official travel advice to Green List countries has been relaxed to ‘normal precautions’, although the government are still asking us to holiday at home this year. The change in advice means that you can now obtain Covid-19 travel insurance cover to travel to Green List countries.

 
Multitrip.com have confirmed that they will cover cancellation as a result of positive Covid-19 diagnosis and cover medical expenses abroad resulting from Covid-19. This will be added to new and existing policies.

The Green List of countries is as follows (22nd July 2020 ) and will be reviewed every two weeks:

The new Covid-19 travel insurance benefits for cancellation include:

1. You, a travel companion or any person you have arranged to stay with during your trip receiving a diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within 14 days of the start of the trip or in the case of being admitted to hospital with a Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) diagnosis within 28 days of the start of the trip.
  

2. Your close relative or close business associate being admitted to hospital with a Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) diagnosis at the time of the trip.
 

 
The Multitrip.com policy will also cover medical expenses abroad relating to Covid-19 and this will extend to covering additional accommodation and transportation costs if required, providing the Department of Foreign Affairs advises it is safe to travel.
 

Moratorium applies for 7 days after purchasing the policy

The policy will exclude claims arising within 7 days from the date you purchased this insurance or the time of booking any trip, whichever is the later, except where the insurance is purchased within 48 hours of booking the trip. Cover will not apply for persons who are required to self-isolate without a positive Covid-19 diagnosis.

View and Purchase Here
 

 
Ciaran Mulligan, Managing Director of Multitrip.com says, “We are delighted that the government/Department of foreign affairs has changed their advice following pressure from the insurance industry and have given clarity on travel advice for the green corridors list. Irish Holidaymakers can now travel with peace of mind knowing that they are covered by their travel insurance if they travel to the countries on the green list. We would also call on the government to review regions as well as countries when they are updating their list in the next two weeks”
 

Note: This post on Covid-19 travel insurance cover was published on 23rd July 2020. Travel advice and updates are changing on a daily basis. It is important to check with the company / airline / travel insurance provider you are booking with before taking any steps to cancel or travel abroad. 

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
 

Like this post? You might also like:

Coronavirus: What travel insurance covers:

How to get a refund if your flight is cancelled

Why you need to add travel disruption cover to your travel insurance policy

Sarah

I have all your travel insurance questions answered below, as well as some top tips to make sure you are adequately covered for future travel plans.

Before you think of booking or cancelling a holiday due to coronavirus, you should check the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs website. They ultimately decide against non-essential travel to a particular region (FCO website in Northern Ireland and UK ). All airlines, travel agencies and travel insurance companies use the advice of the DFA before making any decisions about whether to cancel or alter flights, or allow refunds to be authorised. If the DFA advise against travel to a specific country or region, flights should be cancelled. 

I also recommend downloading the Travelwise app. You can set alerts for the destination you are travelling to, and you will receive notifications if there are any status updates.

 
I have received numerous emails and messages from travellers asking what travel insurance covers in relation to coronavirus. I decided to ask Ciaran Mulligan, Managing Director of Blue Insurance and Multitrip.com to answer your questions. Of course, all insurance policies are different and these answers will not apply to every individual case, but hopefully most of your questions are answered below.
 

 
Note: This post is published on 11th of March 2020. Answers are correct as of today, but cover can change at any time and it is important to check your own individual policy to confirm cover.

If the Department of Foreign Affairs announces advises against non-essential travel to a particular country or destination, will my travel insurance cover me for cancellation?

If you have Government Travel Advice on your policy – standard with Blue Insurance policy booked via a travel agency and blueinsurance.ie, yes you will be covered for cancellation. Note this cover only comes into effect 14 days prior to departure. Premier Cover has a limit of €500 per person and Premier Plus has €750 per person. Note: new bookings will NOT be covered against Covid-19 to a country deemed as unsafe to travel to.
 

 
If you have Travel Disruption added to your policy this will increase to €1000 per person. Insured persons who have premier plus cover with Travel Agents selling Blue Insurance, will have Travel Disruption included automatically. Travel Disruption is also available at Multitrip.com

Read: Why you should add travel disruption cover added to your travel insurance policy
 

 
What happens if my holiday cost €2000 per person – will I get all my money back?

No. The level of cancellation cover varies from €500 – €1000 per person, depending on the type of policy you have.
 

If I am due to travel to Spain in a few months time, can I cancel now and get a refund?

No. You must wait until 14 days before departure to see if the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisory is still in place. However, many airlines and cruise lines are waiving change fees, so it may be possible to postpone your trip to a later time. Some hotels have small cancellation fees, so you may find all is not lost, should you decide to cancel.
 

If I have booked to go to a sporting event or concert that has been cancelled, will I be reimbursed for my concert tickets?

If you have tickets booked to a sporting event which is cancelled, but there is no advisory against non-essential travel in place, then you would not be covered for cancellation of your holiday. Example: The Ireland-France rugby match is cancelled, but flights are still operating to Paris, so no refund of flights, hotels etc, would be given. 

If I have booked flights and a non-refundable hotel, and the airline changes or cancels my flights, will my travel insurance cover me for the hotel cost? 

This will only be covered if you have Travel Disruption cover added to your policy and the Department of Foreign Affairs advise against ‘all but essential travel’ to your destination.
 

Is it too late to take out travel insurance now?

No. Travel insurance can be taken out at any time, however a 7 day moratorium will be in place. If you are due to travel on holidays during the summer months and you book insurance now, it will come into effect in seven days time. 

Book Insurance Here
 

If I contract Covid-19 while I am away, am I covered for medical expenses and repatriation?

Yes. However, if you are travelling to a country where there is a travel advisory against non-essential travel, you would not be covered. 

If I make a claim, how long will it take me to get my money back?

At the moment claims are averaging a three to four week turnaround. It is important to note that you need to apply for refunds from your travel agent, airline or hotel before submitting a travel insurance claim. Claims will only be dealt with once all other avenues have been tried.
 

Book Insurance Here
 

Listen to the podcast here:

 
Note some of the links in this post are affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.

Like travel tips? See more here.
 

Sarah

Booking a cruise holiday? Make sure you have cruise connection cover, the travel insurance for cruise holidays.  

Cruising is one of the travel industries hottest trends, with 18 new oceangoing cruise ships launched this year alone. It seems that cruise holidays are growing at a rate of knots – no pun intended! The way travellers book cruise holidays has changed too, so it is vital that we have the right travel insurance for cruise holidays.
 

 
Many cruisers don’t necessarily book a ‘cruise package’, with flights and transfers included. Cruise-only prices are advertised with all cruise lines, and savvy travellers think nothing of booking a weeks cruise around the Med, and then searching for flights to coincide with it. While there is nothing wrong with doing this per se, it is important that we realise that if you miss your flight due to adverse weather, strikes, or because of a flight delay, the cruise company, well to put it bluntly, won’t really care… Unfortunately they wont ask 5000 passengers to wait until you arrive at the embarkation point.  

 
Ireland’s leading travel insurance provider, Multitrip.com, were quick to spot the growing cruise trend and the need for specific travel insurance for cruise holidays. They are now offering cruise connection cover as an add-on to all of their travel insurance policies.
 

 
The beauty of having cruise connection cover is this; if you have booked a cruise holiday but happen to miss your flight to the original cruise embarkation point, Multitrip.com will cover you for reasonable travel and accommodation expenses to meet your cruise’s next embarkation point. Similarly if your cruise fails to meet its intended disembarkation, you will be covered for any reasonable travel and accommodation expenses incurred to get you home.

 
We all know that flights can be delayed at any time, but we are also in an unfortunate age of air-strikes, airline failures and adverse weather conditions, so having the right travel insurance for cruise holidays is vital.
 
It is also important to bear in mind that if you are booking a cruise holiday with a travel agency, they may be booking the cruise and flights separately, so it is important that you ask your travel agent to add cruise connection cover to your travel insurance policy.
 

 
At the time of issue, the add-on fee with Multitrip.com was just €12 to a single-trip travel insurance policy or €20 for a yearly policy. A small amount that could save you a fortune in the long run…
 

For more details visit multitrip.com or see your local travel agent.

Like Travel Tips? See more here.

Other posts that may be of interest:

What does travel insurance cover?

Top tips for booking travel insurance

5 Reasons why we need travel insurance

Sarah

Having adequate ski travel Insurance is vital if you are going on a skiing holiday, as I learned on my recent ski trip to Austria.

I am just back from Austria, where my luggage didn’t arrive for four days. Yes believe me when I tell you, it was a nightmare! Before I left home I invested in new salopettes, snow boots with retractable spikes, and a ski-jacket with Recco detector on it (technology designed to find you in case of an avalanche!) To say I was well equipped is a massive understatement!

Nevertheless having all this lovely ski-gear was fruitless as my bag only arrived on my last day. Luckily I had taken out ski travel insurance. I have a premier plus Multitrip.com travel insurance policy, which automatically includes ski-cover. It was great to be able to purchase some clothes and personal items without worrying about the additional cost. I am able to claim up to €300 expenses, (€75 per day for four days) and with a premier plus policy, there is no excess charges. Fortunately I should receive a nice cheque for €300 in the next few days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nothing like the feeling when you reach the top of a mountain 👌 It was a long way down and scary in parts but SO worth it. #loveskiing #loveskiwelt . . . . . . #skiing #snow #mountains #nature #austria #soll #tirol #outdoors #landscape #cold #Winterwonderland #skiingislife #adventure #mountainlife #goodtimes #travelpics #travelphotography #alps #skiwelt #travelblogger #presstrip #2fm #irishtravelblogger #topoftheworld @skiweltwilderkaiserbrixental

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Feb 4, 2019 at 11:35pm PST

I am a big advocate for travel insurance. It is a fraction of any holiday cost and it literally could save your life. With prices from €17.99 for an annual multi-trip policy and €26.99 for an annual multi-trip policy including ski cover, there really is no excuse for anyone to travel without travel insurance. You can also opt for a single trip travel insurance policy with winter sport cover included, from just €5.38! Of course delayed baggage is only one of the many reasons why you need ski travel insurance – here are four more…

Injury Cover:

Accidents can happen at any time but let’s face it, they are more likely to happen skiing, than sunbathing by the pool! With ski travel insurance you will have the peace of mind that if you sustain an injury, you will be covered. You may need to be airlifted to a medical facility or need immediate private health care if any bones are broken. Remember the European Health Insurance Card (formerly E111) only covers you in a public hospital, not private, and in European countries only. Once you add ski cover to your policy, you don’t need to worry about any additional costs. If you are injured and are unable to ski, Multitrip.com’s ski travel insurance will also cover you for the unused portion of a ski pack, lift pass etc.

Weather Issues:

Storms and avalanches are not uncommon in ski resorts. In some cases slopes are closed, but Multitrip.com’s ski travel insurance will reimburse you with costs (up to a specified limit) associated with transport to an alternative ski resort. In the event of no-snow, where the slopes are closed, you will also be covered for organised transportation by the tour operator to an alternative skiing area.

Loss of Ski Equipment / Lift Passes:

For anyone who hasn’t skied before, you may be surprised at how small the lift passes are and consequently how easy they are to loose! Lift passes are a costly thing to loose but luckily if you have ski travel insurance, you will be covered should you need to replace them. Likewise if you happen to loose ski equipment, skis, poles etc this could prove very costly. When you stop for lunch or a drink on the mountain, it is very easy for someone to pick up the wrong skis – especially if they happen to get carried away with the aprés-ski!

Cancellation:

Ski holidays are not cheap! Between flights, accommodation and ski packs, an average ski trip will probably cost you close to €1000. If for some unfortunate reason you, or an immediate family member, is sick and you can’t travel, having ski travel insurance can be a Godsend. Although missing out on your holiday holiday might be traumatic, receiving the refund cheque will certainly soften the blow!

Things to watch out for:

• While most winter-sports are covered with ski-travel insurance there are exclusions such as heli-skiing. Check your individual policy before embarking on a high risk sport.

• With the numerous airlines strikes and the possibility of flight cancellations due to bad weather, it is advisable to add Travel Disruption cover to your policy.  You will be covered for additional expenses if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours. You can also claim back expenses due to bad weather or if you are advised against travel to a specific country due to unrest.  See more on why you need to add travel disruption cover to you insurance policy here.

• Keep a note of your travel insurance policy number or details with you when skiing, just in case of an emergency.

• Check if there is a limit to winter sports duration with your policy. Different limits apply depending on the level of cover you purchase.

For prices, bookings and more details on Ski Travel Insurance, visit Multitrip.com 

Like Travel Tips? See more here.

Sarah

I am often asked “what does travel insurance cover” so along with some of my own travel tips, I caught up with the team at Multitrip.com to find out.

Despite travel insurance cover being such a tiny part of the overall holiday cost, it amazes me that some people still travel without it. There is a misconception out there that if you are only going on a short trip, or travelling inside the EU, that you don’t need it. The reality is, if you are travelling abroad, you NEED travel insurance!

You can now purchase a two year Multitrip travel insurance policy for as little as €31.99, so it makes no sense NOT to have it!  If you are wondering what does travel insurance cover, I have compiled this list from Multitrip.com along with some top tips that I have learned on my travels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Delighted with myself for #paragliding in #CapeTown today! Definitely #facedmyfears and SO outside my #comfortzone 🙌 I’m going to be 46 next week 😱 but today sure told me you are #asoldasyoufeel – loved every minute! More on my stories 👆 . . . . . . #faceyourfears #paragliding #paraglidinggirl #instagood #instatravel #travelblogger #travelpic #citiesoftheworld #beautifuldestinations #capetown #capetownvibes @lovecapetown #ilovecapetown #signalhill #tablemountain #adrenalinerush #paraglidingtandem @ctparaglide #travelgram #thingstodoincapetown #southafrica #views #bestview

A post shared by Sarah Slattery – Travel Expert (@the_travel_expert) on Mar 25, 2018 at 2:32pm PDT

Medical Expenses, Repatriation, Personal Accident

When you are away, accidents and medical emergencies can happen and end up being hugely expensive to treat. That’s why these are important aspects of your travel insurance to consider, especially if you are travelling with a medical condition or while pregnant. A policy should also provide cover for repatriation back to Ireland if necessary.

My Top Tips:

This is the number one reason why people take travel insurance, however the key is to make sure you are adequately insured. Medical bills in the States can be colossal and in some countries public hospitals can be in poor condition. Ideally you want a full medical travel insurance cover so that you are covered in a private hospital and for air ambulance, should you not be able to fly home on a commercial flight. Remember the European Health Insurance Card (formerly E111) only covers you in a public hospital, not private, and in European countries only.

If you or a close family member, have a pre – existing illness you MUST disclose this to the insurance company at the time you book your policy, otherwise you may not be covered. This also applies for cancellation purposes too.

Cancellation and Curtailment

They say that “life is what happens when you have other plans!”  You can get too sick to travel, a close relative may become ill or you may have been made redundant prior to your departure, meaning you may have to cancel part of, or your entire trip. Cancellation and curtailment cover will reimburse you (up to a specified limit) if these occurrences disrupt your plans.

My Top Tips: 

If booking expensive holidays, check that the cancellation cover is adequate. Some policies have a limit of €1000 per person, you may find that for an small fee you can be covered for €5000 per person. Make sure you take out cover at the time you book your holiday to ensure you are fully covered for cancellation.

Delayed or Lost/ Stolen Baggage

It’s one of our worst fears: arriving at our destination only to find the bag we spent days carefully packing hasn’t decided to join us. By having delayed or lost baggage coverage in your policy, you’ll be able to claim for the expenses you incur (up to the limit stated) until your bag catches up.

My Top Tip: 

Always pack a change of clothes for each person in your party in your hand luggage as well as small toiletries (under 100ml) and any medical requirements.

Personal Money, Documents & Passport

Pickpockets can be a common threat in many of the world’s major cities. Losing money on your travels can also happen. It’s well worth having travel insurance cover that covers you (up to a stated amount) in the event of any lost, stolen or damaged personal money and travel documents.

My Top Tip:

Note expensive items need to covered on your house policy so have these in a safe place at all times. If you are unlucky to have items stolen on you, make sure you call the police. Travel Insurance companies rarely refund expenses without an official police report.

Personal liability

When staying in Hotels, Airbnb’s, Hostels or even couchsurfing, it’s important to have Personal Liability cover in case you damage the property, and/or someone gets injured and they make a claim against you.

Missed Departure

Missed departure cover will protect you (up to the stated limit) if you miss your flight because of reasons out of your control, such as an accident, breakdown of the vehicle you are travelling in, strikes or adverse weather conditions.

Delayed or Holiday Abandonment

Nothing can be more frustrating than a delayed flight that leaves you waiting for hours at the airport. In cases where your flight is delayed for 12 hours, you could be entitled to compensation from your travel insurer. Read my post about cancelled flights and what to do when things go wrong.

Catastrophe

If an earthquake, storm, flood, tsunami or other incident force you to change your plans and your tour company is unable to assist you, good travel insurance cover can be vital. In many cases it will cover your costs of moving from your pre-booked accommodation and other irrecoverable costs necessarily incurred to continue with the trip, or even if you have to return home.

My Top Tip:

No one could have foreseen the extent of flight disruption when 10 million people were stranded and 100,000 flights were cancelled due to the Icelandic ash cloud, or more recently the amount of air traffic control strikes and pilot strikes we saw this Summer. I always recommend that you add travel disruption cover to your existing policy (extra charge applies). You will be covered for additional expenses if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours. You can also claim back expenses due to flooding, earthquakes or if you are advised against travel to a specific country due to unrest.

Other Considerations

Each trip you plan will bring with it its own unique considerations when it comes to travel insurance. Please keep in mind that all travel insurance cover has certain exclusions, additional cover levels and excesses that apply, so make sure you do your research and read the terms, conditions and exclusions before you buy.

For more on travel insurance, check out Multitrip.com’s Cover Handbook and the FAQ’s on their website. You can also get a great value quote on their website today by clicking here.

Like Travel Tips? See more here.

Sarah

Are you one of the 42% of holiday makers that experienced flight delays or cancellations recently?

Ireland’s leading travel insurance brand Multitrip.com have revealed some startling statistics in their latest travel survey. A staggering 42% of people have recently experienced flight delays or cancellations, while 34% confirmed that they are worried about air strikes. With 88% of people planning to go on two or more holidays this year, it is not only vital that we all have travel insurance, but travel disruption cover is becoming a necessity.

Insurance is one of those purchases that unfortunately we only really value when something goes wrong.  I always take my insurance with Multitrip.com and just renew it each year without asking any questions. However I like many of you, found myself asking what exactly am I covered for?

Most insurance policies will not cover you for ‘acts of God’ like hurricanes or volcano eruptions or for airline strikes or closures. Remember the Icelandic ash cloud? 100,000 flights were cancelled and many people were left stranded for weeks. More recently Ryanair cancelled hundreds of flights and left people who had booked accommodation separately, out of pocket. Hurricane Irma and the Beast from the East also grounded air travel for days.

 

It is important to know that Multitrip.com  have a Travel Disruption Cover which can be added to your insurance policy from as little as €10 (single trip policy) and €17 (annual policy) and will provide you with additional cover in the event of adverse weather conditions, airline cancellations and even strikes.

Like all insurance policies however, you can’t purchase Travel Disruption Cover after something goes wrong… Once you have added it to your policy it will be effective seven days later, so don’t wait until you hear about the next hurricane, or rumours of air traffic control strikes – add it to your policy now!  Travel Disruption Cover offers extended cover under delayed departure, missed departure and accommodation sections, should your flight be cancelled or delayed as a result of strike or adverse weather conditions.

• If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours it covers additional accommodation and travel costs up to €1,000.
• If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours then you can claim back up to €1,000 for irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation costs should you cancel.
• Claim back up to €1,000 for accommodation if you have to be moved from your current location or cut your trip short because of flood, earthquake, volcanic eruption etc
• Covers cancellation or curtailment charges should the Foreign & Commonwealth Office or World Health Organisation advise against travel to the country or specific area you are travelling to.
• Gives you control of the situation and the added security that you have sufficient cover should an airline cancel, delay or redirect your flight after take-off.

Multitrip.com is offering two year travel insurance from €31.99. For prices, bookings and more details on Travel Disruption Cover, visit Multitrip.com or speak to your travel agent.

 

Related articles on the blog:

Cancelled Flight? – What to do when things go wrong.

Top tips for booking travel insurance.

Sarah

Last year massive travel companies like Thomas Cook and WOW Air ceased trading, thousands of flights were cancelled over strikes, and currently the Coronavirus is causing havoc for travellers in 2020. If you don’t already have Travel Disruption Cover – get it now!

Insurance is one of those purchases that unfortunately you only really value when something goes wrong.  I always book my travel insurance with Multitrip.com and just renew it each year without asking any questions. However in light of recent events, I like many of you, found myself asking what exactly am I covered for?
 

 
Read: What to do if you have booked a holiday and are worried about Coronavirus
 
Most insurance policies will not cover you for ‘acts of God’ like hurricanes or volcano eruptions, or for airline strikes or closures. Remember the Icelandic ash cloud? 100,000 flights were cancelled and many people were left stranded for weeks.
 

 
Multitrip.com however, have a Travel Disruption Cover which can be added to all policies from as little as €10 (single trip policy) and €17 (annual policy) and will provide you with additional cover in the event of adverse weather conditions, airline cancellations and even strikes.
 
Book here
 

 
Like all insurance policies however, you can’t purchase Travel Disruption Cover after something goes wrong… Once you have added it to your policy it will be effective seven days later. So don’t wait until you hear that a case of Coronavirus has been reported in the country you are going too – add it to your policy now. 

Note: new bookings will not be covered against Covid-19 if there is a travel advisory in place advising ‘all but non essential travel’ to a particular country.
 

 
Travel Disruption Cover offers extended cover under delayed departure, missed departure and accommodation sections, should your flight be cancelled or delayed as a result of strike or adverse weather conditions.
 

• • If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours it covers additional accommodation and travel costs up to €1,000.
  • If your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours then you can claim back up to €1,000 for irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation costs should you cancel.
  • Claim back up to €1,000 for accommodation if you have to be moved from your current location or cut your trip short because of flood, earthquake, volcanic eruption etc
  • Covers cancellation or curtailment charges should the Foreign & Commonwealth Office or World Health Organisation advise against travel to the country or specific area you are travelling to.
  • Gives you control of the situation and the added security that you have sufficient cover should an airline cancel, delay or redirect your flight after take-off.

 
Book Travel Insurance Here
 

 
Note some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.

Related articles on the blog:

Cancelled Flight? – What to do when things go wrong.

Top tips for booking travel insurance.
 

 
Sarah

Trying to book a holiday and wondering what websites to use? Think you don’t need travel insurance ? Wonder how to get the best value when checking in luggage? Check out my top tips for booking holidays as seen on TV3’s Sunday AM.

1. Compare like with like

Regardless of whether we book holidays online or go to a travel agent, most of us will at least do our research and search prices online. It is important when we do this that we compare like with like. Package holidays with tour operators like TUI or Sunway include transfers and checked baggage and rarely have any hidden extras. If you book flights and hotels separately you will always have to add on transfers, baggage and sometimes hotel taxes too.  Make sure the deal you think you are getting really is as good as it looks.

2. Ensure the company you are booking with is licensed and bonded.

If you do decide to book online, make sure the company is bonded and licensed with the Commission for Aviation Regulation. ALL travel agents require a license and bond to trade, a website selling accommodation only, doesn’t. I know this might seem crazy but its true! We only have to recall the nightmare last summer when 15,000 Irish people were stranded when low cost holidays went bust.

3. Read the small print.

If something looks to good to be true, then it usually is. If you see flights to the States for €199 its probably via two or even three different airports and may take you a day to get there. Always check the duration of the flight so you will instantly know if there are stops involved. The stopovers are often hidden in the small print at the end of the booking.  Similarly with hotel rooms, if it states non refundable, they mean that. You will often see a hotel room cheaper on one website than an other but usually it is because the rate is non refundable. You will have to pay in full at the time of booking and under no circumstance will you be allowed change or cancel the room.

4. Get Travel Insurance

No one imagines that the horror story they have read about in the papers, could happen to them – it can! The E111 form only covers you in a public hospital, it will not cover an air ambulance ( average cost €50K) or if you have to curtail your holiday and fly home to a sick family member. You will need insurance. Likewise holiday disruption due to flight cancellations or ash cloud are only covered with travel insurance. Multitrip.com have annual policies from €15.95 so you really have no excuse…

5. Invest in lightweight luggage.

Invest in the lightest checked and hand luggage you can find. And buy hand luggage for all the family. Kids love to wheel their own case and if you buy good lightweight cases it will save you a fortune in the long run on baggage charges. Check the hand luggage allowance as some charter airlines only allow 7kg. Remember if travelling with children, Aer Lingus and Ryanair give half price checked baggage for kids but this is only available at the time of booking. If you wait to add on baggage later you will pay the full price.

6. Check passport and visa requirements.

It may seem obvious to check your passport, but some countries require that it is valid for 6 months after your stay, so make sure you double check this. There is a handy passport reminder service on the website where you put in the date your passport is due to expire and you receive a reminder 6 months before the expiry date, by email. Apply for your passport early. The so called ‘2 week passport express’ is only a guideline and in many cases it can take up to 6 weeks in peak season. If travelling to the USA you need to ensure you have filled out an ESTA online and if travelling to Canada an ETA is required. If unsure about visa requirements always check with visafirst, they have an office in Stephens Green and are contactable via phone or email.

7. Check out these travel websites.

To search for airfares & hotel separately:

Skyscanner combine all airlines in their searches. Although Aer Lingus and Ryanair are the main carriers to Europe there are many airlines flying to European and worldwide routes that you may not be aware of.  SAS and Norwegian fly to Copenhagen as well as other Northern European countries. Vueling fly to Barcelona and Iberia Express fly to Madrid, these carriers are often much cheaper than Ryanair or Aer Lingus. Check flying outbound with one airline and flying home with another, this might save you money and sometimes flight times might be more suitable too. If looking for the best value on hotels, Trivago and tripadvisor are aggregators and will search numerous hotel sites to bring you back the lowest prices.

To search for package deals:

Sunway and TUI offer great package deals which include flights, accommodation, transfers and checked baggage.  Loveholidays.ie are relatively new in Ireland but their searches are excellent. You can search by temperature, by slides in the pool, even disabled facilities.

To search for weather:

Wunderground, this has a historical weather tab so you can see what the weather was like at the same time last year, or for a few years. Loveholidays.ie have a temperature bar so you can drag the temperature up to 25 degrees and avoid pages of holidays to the Algarve in December.

8. Call a travel agent.

In many cases they will find lower prices for you. Even if they can only match the price you already have, at least you will have an expert at the other end of the phone in case of an emergency. Remember, many websites don’t offer the same service.

Prices are correct at time of issue but are subject to change.

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Planning a trip? Check out my top tips for booking travel insurance and make sure you are adequately covered.

I take out an annual travel insurance policy, and have done so for the past 30 years. I would never travel without it, and frankly I don’t understand anyone who does. When you consider that European travel insurance cover starts at just €17.95 for an annual trip – it is without a doubt going to be the cheapest part of your holiday, and its worth paying that for peace of mind alone.

If there is one thing that the last two years has taught us, it is you never know what is around the corner. Even when we thought travel was back to normal again, Omicron arrived and brought more travel restrictions along with it. But leaving Covid-19 aside, travel insurance is important for many more reasons.

The cliché “it will never happen to me” springs to mind. When we are looking forward to our annual summer holiday, we don’t want to consider flight cancellations, holiday accidents, or lost baggage – that happens to other people… 

I appreciate that I travel more than the average person, but I have claimed for lost luggage twice, kids doctors visits more than I care to remember, and a flight cancellation where were delayed 24 hours – all of this pre Covid.
 

 
I am delighted to see that Covid-cover is now included in some annual travel insurance policies, including Multitrip.com, the company I have used for over 20 years. If you are diagnosed with Covid-19 abroad your medical expenses should be covered, and an amount towards additional travel or accommodation expenses should you need to extend your stay.
 

 
You are also covered for cancellation if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with Covid-19 within 14 days of departure. Note there are always limits on the amount covered, so it is important to check the Ts & Cs before you book.  I have some other top tips on booking travel insurance below.
 

1. Take out travel insurance as soon as you book your trip

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When you book your holiday, take out your travel insurance at the same time. You will immediately have cancellation cover. This means that in the event of an unforeseen incident like an illness or an injury, you are covered.
 

 
Most travel insurance policies have moratoriums in place so you will only be covered seven (or possibly longer) days after you have taken out your policy. This means that if you book travel insurance within seven days of your departure, you would not be covered for cancellation or a covid-19 diagnosis, should this happen at the last minute.
 

2. Choose your travel insurance provider wisely.

It is always a smart idea to shop around, and travel insurance is no exception. This is especially true if you have are taking any medication. Some insurance providers don’t cover people who have a pre-existing medical condition. You may have to undergo pre-screening in some instances  to enable a more tailored policy to suit your requirements.

3. Don’t always go for the cheapest option.

The cheapest travel insurance is not necessarily the best value option. Always compare like with like. One policy may have higher excess charges should you need to make a claim, some policies include Covid cover as standard, while others charge a supplement to add it on.
 

4. You DO need travel insurance cover in Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If you think that you don’t need travel insurance whilst travelling in Europe, think again. Many believe that the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) provides adequate cover, it doesn’t. This card only gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare for medically necessary treatment, during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
 

 
It is not a replacement or alternative for travel insurance. It will not repatriate you to your home country, and provides no cover if you have lost baggage or you need to cancel your holiday. The other thing to consider is that the EHIC card is only for treatment on the same basis as a resident of that country.

It is worth noting that in some countries, patients are expected to make a contribution to the medical costs incurred so you could be facing a large bill for services when you least expect it.
 

5. Make sure your policy has covid cover and travel disruption cover.

In the current climate it is vital that covid cover is included in your policy. You need to ensure that you are covered for cancellation due to a covid-19 diagnosis pre departure, and for medical and accommodation expenses should you contract Covid abroad.

Most policies will have a limit on accommodation and repatriation expenses, so if you are travelling to an expensive holiday destination, it might be advisable to add on travel disruption cover too.
 

 
Pre-Covid, pilot strikes and air traffic control strike were pretty common, and no one could have foreseen the extent of flight disruption when 100,000 flights were cancelled due to the Icelandic ash cloud. Most insurance policies will not cover you for ‘acts of God’ like hurricanes, storms, or volcano eruptions, or for airline strikes or closures.
 

 
Travel disruption covers you for additional expenses if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours. You can also claim back expenses due to flooding, strikes, earthquakes, or if you are advised against travel to a specific country due to unrest. See more here.
 

6. Honesty is always the best policy!

Don’t purchase a policy that does not provide cover for your medical condition and hope for the best! It is vital that you disclose to your travel insurance provider that you have a medical condition or are taking medication.
 

 
You should make full disclosure, even if you think it is of no consequence. If you are not completely honest regarding any illness/medical condition/medication, you may find yourself paying out thousands of Euro should something happen that is related to this illness.
 

7. Check your travel insurance policy Ts & Cs

Don’t make the mistake of booking a yearly travel insurance policy for €17.95 and think you are covered for everything. The cheaper policies tend to be priced for travel within Europe and for people with private health insurance.

Cruise connection, ski insurance and worldwide cover will incur extra charges and always check the excess on each claim. I usually pay extra for a policy with zero excess because I travel so frequently and usually make at least one claim per year. 
 

 
It is vital you check the maximum amount payable in case of cancellation or a covid diagnosis. If you have booked a honeymoon in the Maldives and paid €10,000 for the privilege, you may be shocked to learn that the maximum cover for cancellation is only €2,000.
 

8. Make sure you can contact your insurance provider while away.

There is not much point in having travel insurance if you cannot get in touch with your provider in the event of an emergency. Bring your policy with you, and familiarise yourself with the extent of cover that you have. Pre-program the Emergency Assistance Service number into your phone so you will have it with you. Contact details for the Emergency Assistance Service can generally be found within the ‘Policy Wording’ section.
 

 
Regardless of where you are travelling to, don’t travel without travel insurance. At the time of issue Multitrip.com were offering annual multi trip travel insurance cover from €17.95.  

While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of this post, it is vital to check policy details before booking as cover can change at any time. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you. Read more in my privacy policy.

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“It will never happen to me” – the old fashioned cliché is more prevalent than ever. We hear about flight cancellations and holiday accidents all the time, yet many still believe that it will never happen to them.

My feeling is why take the risk? Travel insurance is so affordable now (from €15.95 for an annual multitrip policy) that it just doesn’t make sense not to have it.  Here are my top 5 reasons why we NEED travel insurance.

1. Cancellation

You have paid thousands for your holiday only to find out that you, or a family member, is sick and you can’t travel. This could be anything from a broken leg to a serious illness. Although missing out on that well deserved holiday might be heartbreaking, at least if you were able to claim for a refund – it might soften the blow.

Top tip: If booking expensive holidays check that the cancellation cover is adequate. Some policies have a limit of €1000 per person, you may find that for an additional €5 you can be covered for €5000 per person. Make sure you take out cover at the time you book your holiday to ensure you are fully covered for cancellation.

2. Medical Cover

This is the number one reason why people take travel insurance, however the key is to make sure you are adequately insured. Medical bills in the States can be colossal and in some countries public hospitals can be in poor condition. Ideally you want a full medical travel cover so that you are covered in a private hospital and for air ambulance, should you not be able to fly home on a commercial flight. Remember the European Health Insurance Card ( formerly E111) only covers you in a public hospital, not private, and in European countries only.

Top tip: If you or a close family member, have a pre – existing illness you MUST disclose this to the insurance company at the time you book your policy, otherwise you may not be covered. This also applies for cancellation purposes too.

3. Travel Disruption

No one could have foreseen the extent of flight disruption when 10 million people were stranded and 100,000 flights were cancelled due to the Icelandic ash cloud. I always recommend that you add travel disruption cover to your existing policy (extra charge applies). You will be covered for additional expenses if your flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours. You can also claim back expenses due to flooding, earthquakes or if you are advised against travel to a specific country due to unrest.

4. Theft

Every holiday destination has it’s tourist trap. Pickpockets and robberies are not uncommon in large cities and holiday resorts, particularly during the peak season. Although expensive items need to covered on your house policy, travel insurance will cover you for loss of money and even replacement passports. Amounts covered vary depending on the policy you choose so make sure you read your policy document to see how much you are covered for.

Top tip: If you are unlucky to have items stolen on you, make sure you call the police. Travel Insurance companies rarely refund expenses without an official police report.

5. Peace of mind.

All of the above are good reasons why we need travel insurance but for me the most important one of all is peace of mind. Holidays are great to plan, fun to go on and hopefully will be full of good memories. Make sure you head off on your holidays without any necessary worries. Enjoy peace of mind knowing you have the right travel insurance.

At the time of issue multitrip.com was offering annual multi trip cover from €15.95 per person, click here for more details.

No matter how organised you think you are, when you are in holiday mode, barriers fall down and mistakes are made! Here are my top 10 classic mistakes we make on holidays!

1. Don’t know the exchange rates.

This is a very common mistake. If travelling outside the Euro zone make sure you know exactly what the local currency is worth. There are many stories of people hopping in a taxi from the airport and paying exorbitant taxi fares because they didn’t actually know what they were handing over. Likewise there have been many porters who received very handsome tips from the ‘newbies’ at the resort!

2. Have only large notes

We are all guilty of this one! We arrive at a nice hotel where the porters will expect to be tipped and all we have are €50 bills. When changing money ask for small notes or if travelling within Europe make sure you have some small notes or coins with you.

3. First day syndrome!

We are so relaxed on the first day, we see the sunshine and all we want to do is jump in the pool! This means we leave activating the safety deposit box until later and leave money and valuables unattended. The first day is prime time for thiefs in resorts so don’t say you haven’t been warned!

4. Get sunburnt.

This can happen on the first day too when all you want to do is get out in the sun. The other most likely time is your last day, when you HAVE to get the tan before you go home!

5. Eat bad food.

How many times do you walk into a restaurant because a local is asking you to come inside? Ask at reception in your hotel for recommendations or check tripadvisor for restaurant reviews before you go out.

6. Get sick.

Sickness on holiday is very common, the chemicals in the water or the sudden change in temperatures can cause a sick tummy. Wait for 10 minutes before turning on the air conditioning in your room and like wise turn it off 10 minutes before leaving. Drink bottled water and have a bottle beside the sink for brushing your teeth. Be careful where you eat and drink, many drinks will contain ice made from local water and salads may not be washed in bottled water. If you are unfortunate to have a tummy bug, the last thing you want to do is rush down to the local pharmacy. Bring small packs of immodium and motilium with you, they will take up no room in your suitcase – you will be really glad you brought them!

7. Try to cram everything in.

This happens to most of us, we read the top 10 things to do in a particular place and try our best to fit them all in. You will end up needing another holiday when you come home. Remember to relax on holidays and enjoy the rest. Choose one thing that will leave a lasting memory, and leave the rest to chance. If you get to see everywhere great, but don’t fret if you don’t – you can always come back!

8. Don’t check the weather

Remember although your iPhone may say that it is 20 degrees, you need to check what the ‘feels like’ temperature is! A cool breeze in the Canary Islands for instance can mean you will need cardigans during the day and even coats at nighttime! You may also experience some tropical storms so a lightweight waterproof jacket can be a Godsend.

9. Think you don’t need travel insurance

People always think the horror story wont happen to them! You never know when you will need travel insurance and it is so inexpensive,  it makes no sense to travel without it.

10. Don’t respect the local culture.

Remember you are the ‘intruder’! If the local custom means shoulders must be covered when entering a temple for instance, you need respect this. Likewise topless bathing may be forbidden – make sure you check the pool or beach rules before you strip off!

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I have brought my ninety year old Mum on many holidays and I learned a few tips along the way! Here are my top tips for travelling with the elderly.

1. Choose your destination wisely.

For many elderly people, travelling is a huge ordeal. Choose somewhere that they would like to see, not necessarily where you would like to go. Scenic destinations with nice views, plenty of sightseeing and most importantly not too many hills or noisy bars! Heat is also a big factor so choose somewhere that is not normally 40 degrees at the time you are going. If there is a nice breeze like in the Canary Islands or the Algarve, that’s a bonus. If they like the beach make sure the water is shallow with no sudden drops or large waves, a travel agent or websites like tripadvisor should be able to advise you of this.

2. Where possible choose short flights.

Long haul flights can be uncomfortable for them and the risk of DVT is slightly higher in flights over five hours. If you are in the fortunate position to be able to travel business class, go for it!  Failing that, make sure they move about on the flight, walk regularly up and down the aisles and stay hydrated. Mind you this applies to all of us!

3. Take your time and arrive at the airport early.

Take advantage of the excellent facilities at the airport. If they are unsteady on their feet or simply find the walk from check in to the departure gate too long, book a wheelchair to bring them to the gate. Check in early and have a nice relaxed meal before you go, as the airplane food may not suit them.

4. Email the hotel or discuss requirements with your travel agent before you leave.

If booking with a travel agent request a low floor or a room beside the lift or reception. Some hotels are so big now that the rooms can be quite a distance from the reception or swimming pool. If booking independently, email the hotel before you go and let them know you have an elderly person with you.

5. Transfers

Unless your hotel is a long distance from the airport, try to book private transfers or take a taxi from the airport to the Hotel. Some shuttle transfers can be extremely long and the price difference is normally minimal.

6.  Travel Insurance

This may sound obvious but make sure they have adequate travel insurance. The E111 form only covers them in a public hospital. If they have a major injury and require an air ambulance for instance, only an official travel insurance policy will cover that. Make sure they declare any pre existing illnesses to the Insurance provider before they go, otherwise they may not be covered.

7. Stock up!

It should go without saying but bring plenty of sunscreen, a sun hat and insect repellent. Their skin is very sensitive and the last thing you or they need is to get bitten or sunburned.

8. Take it easy!

Don’t pressure them to go with you to the beach every day or to visit that ‘must see’ cathedral. They are used to quiet time and would probably be quite happy to chill out and read a book in their room. You may want to trek off sightseeing for the day or go out during the mid day sun, but don’t feel you have to bring them with you each time. Remember holidays are for relaxing too, if they want to take it easy – let them.

I still recall the tear in my Mum’s eye when she saw the Vatican for the first time, that memory will always stay with me. Taking an elderly person away with you may not seem like a big deal, but it could mean the world to them.

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Sarah