How Long Does It Take to Buy Travel Insurance and What Information Will I Need? A Complete Guide
Written by Maria Hughes
Travel Expert
Reviewed by Graeme McKenzie
UK Mature Consumer Communication Expert
Published
Updated
Buying travel insurance might sound like another complicated task to add to your holiday checklist. You may be wondering how long it will take, what information you'll need to provide, and whether you'll have to answer lots of personal or medical questions.
At goodtogo, we believe getting travel insurance should be straightforward. That's why our quote process is designed to be simple, whether you choose to get your quote online or speak to one of our team over the phone.
In most cases, getting a quote should take just a few minutes, and we can issue your cover immediately. All you'll need to do is tell us about your trip and declare your medical history.
How Long Does It Take to Buy Travel Insurance?
For most people, getting a goodtogo travel insurance quote takes just a few minutes.
We'll ask you for some basic information about your trip, including your destination, travel dates and the ages of the people travelling. We'll also need information about any relevant medical conditions. Once you've completed the quotation process, we can issue cover once you have purchased your policy. This means you don't need to spend hours filling in complicated forms before you can arrange your travel insurance.
Of course, it's important to take your time when answering questions, particularly when we're asking about your health. Providing accurate information helps us make sure your cover is appropriate for your circumstances.
What Information Will I Need?
Having a few details to hand before you start can make getting your quote even easier.
You'll need:
- Your contact details
- Your travel dates
- Your destination
- The ages of everyone travelling
- Details of your medical history and anyone else on the policy
- Information about any pre-existing medical conditions
Your premium is calculated using information including your age, destination, trip duration, level of cover and existing medical conditions.
If you're travelling with other people, you can cover individuals, couples and families on the same policy, with groups of up to 10 people. Covering everyone on the same policy can also mean that your travelling companions have cancellation cover if any declared pre-existing medical condition means the holiday needs to be cancelled.
What Type of Travel Insurance Do I Need?
Before getting a quote, you'll also need to think about the type of travel insurance that's right for your trip.
If you're only planning one holiday, single trip travel insurance can cover you for that particular trip. If you're planning to travel several times during the year, annual multi-trip travel insurance may be more suitable.
The right option will depend on your travel plans, so it's worth considering how often you expect to travel before buying your policy.
How Long Is My Travel Insurance Quote Valid?
Once you've received your travel insurance quote, you'll have time to consider your options before buying. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
If you decide to purchase your policy after receiving your quote, make sure you do so before the quote expires. If it has expired, you may need to get a new quote and the price or terms could be different.
Will I Have to Answer Lots of Medical Questions?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be concerned that medical screening will involve a long and intrusive application. We understand that concern.
Our medical screening process is designed to be straightforward and should take only a few minutes. Once you've told us about your medical condition, we'll ask you a series of short, multiple-choice questions to help us understand your circumstances and provide the appropriate cover. We can medically screen travellers with a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions, including conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, heart disease and mental health conditions.
Why Do We Ask About Medical Conditions?
Medical questions aren't there to make getting insurance difficult. They help us understand your medical history so we can assess your needs and provide the appropriate level of cover. It's important to answer our questions accurately and declare relevant conditions and symptoms during the quote process. This helps make sure you have the cover you need when you travel.
Do I Have to Buy Travel Insurance Online?
No. You can choose the option that works best for you. You can get a goodtogo quote online or over the phone. Our online quote service is available 24 hours a day, so you can arrange your travel insurance whenever it's convenient for you.
If you'd rather speak to someone, our team can provide a quote over the phone on 0330 024 9949. Our sales and customer service team is are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm and from 9am to 5.30pm at weekends and on bank holidays, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Our team members are fully trained, so if you have a question about the quotation process or our cover, we're here to help.
Is There a Cooling-Off Period After I Buy Travel Insurance?
Yes. When you buy your travel insurance, you have a 14-day cooling-off period to review your policy. If you decide that the policy isn't right for you, you can cancel during this period, subject to the terms and conditions of your policy.
It's still important to check your policy documents carefully when you receive them, including what's covered, any exclusions and the terms that apply to cancellation.
What If I Have Several Medical Conditions?
You can still apply for travel insurance if you have multiple pre-existing medical conditions. We can medically screen anyone who needs to be covered on the policy and has a pre-existing medical condition. It can help to have a list of your current conditions and medications available before you start your quote. The important thing is to give us accurate information during the medical screening process so we can assess your circumstances correctly.
How Can I Make Getting a Quote Easier?
A little preparation can make the process even quicker. Before you start your quote, have your:
- Travel dates
- Destination
- Traveller ages
- Contact details
- Medical history
- Current medication details, where relevant to hand.
If you're travelling with someone who has a pre-existing medical condition, it's also worth having their medical information available before starting the quote.
And remember, there's no need to rush. While getting a quote should only take a few minutes, answering the questions accurately and honestly is more important than completing the process as quickly as possible.
What Happens After I Get My Quote?
Once you've completed the quotation process, we'll provide your travel insurance options and the price based on the information you've given us. In almost all cases, our medical screening will allow us to provide a quotation as soon as you've completed the questionnaire. We can then issue your cover immediately. If you've completed a quote online, we'll email your quote to you after you've provided your email address.
Your policy documents are emailed shortly after purchase. If you don't see them, check your junk or spam folder first. If you have opted to receive your policy documents by post - please allow up to ten working days for them to arrive.
How Do I Pay for My Travel Insurance?
Once you've decided on your cover, you can pay for your travel insurance securely online or over the phone. We use secure payment processes to help protect your payment information, so you can arrange your cover in the way you're most comfortable with. If you're not comfortable paying online, you can speak to a member of our team on 0330 029 1540 and complete your purchase over the phone.
Is Buying Travel Insurance Complicated?
We don't think it needs to be.
At goodtogo, we've designed our quotation and medical screening process to make getting travel insurance as straightforward as possible. You can get a quote online 24 hours a day and our medical screening uses short, multiple-choice questions rather than requiring you to provide medical certificates in most cases. The most important thing is to give us accurate information about your trip and your medical history. That helps us assess your needs and provide the appropriate cover.
So, if you've been putting off buying travel insurance because you're worried about a lengthy or complicated application, it doesn't have to be that way. Getting a goodtogo travel insurance quote should only take a few minutes, and if you'd rather talk to someone, our friendly team is are here to help.
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