Barrhead Travel’s booking terms require you to obtain and maintain adequate travel insurance for everyone on the booking. Arrange cover as soon as the holiday is booked rather than waiting until departure, because cancellation cover normally begins when the policy starts. You are responsible for deciding whether a policy is suitable for the people, itinerary and activities it needs to cover.

What travel insurance can protect

Cover varies between policies, but it can include emergency medical treatment and repatriation, cancellation or curtailment for insured reasons, travel delay or missed departure, loss or theft of baggage and money, personal liability and emergency assistance. The policy wording decides what is covered, to what limit and on what conditions.

Read the policy against the actual holiday

• Make sure the geographical area, countries, trip length and full non-refundable cost are covered.

• Declare every medical condition, medication, pending test, recent treatment and change in health that the insurer asks about. Ask the insurer if you are unsure what to disclose.

• Check cruise, winter sports, water sports, trekking, safari, motorbike use, higher-risk activities and valuable equipment where relevant.

• Read the eligibility rules, excesses, benefit limits, exclusions and evidence required for a claim.

• Check how FCDO advice, known events, industrial action, natural hazards and supplier failure are treated.

• Do not assume that a bank account, credit card, home-insurance extension or annual policy covers this trip. Check it in full before relying on it.

• Keep the policy number and 24-hour emergency number with you and give a copy to a travelling companion or trusted person at home.

Would you like an insurance quote?

I can provide access to a travel-insurance quotation and the associated policy documents through the provider approved by Brilliant Travel and Barrhead Travel. I am not authorised to assess your personal insurance needs, tell you which policy or level of cover is right, compare policies on your behalf or make a personal recommendation.

Before buying, read the Insurance Product Information Document, full policy wording, eligibility criteria, limits, excesses and exclusions. You must decide whether the policy meets your needs. Direct questions about what the policy covers, medical screening or a claim to the insurer or regulated insurance provider.

If standard cover is difficult to find. MoneyHelper has a directory of specialist travel-insurance firms for people with serious medical conditions. The firms listed are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. I can signpost you to the directory, but I cannot choose a provider or policy for you.

GHIC and EHIC

A valid UK GHIC or eligible EHIC can complement insurance by providing access to some state healthcare in certain countries. It does not cover every health cost, private treatment or repatriation, and it is not a substitute for travel insurance.

Important Notice

Insurance is your responsibility. You must obtain and maintain adequate insurance for the full trip, disclose information accurately, notify the insurer of relevant changes and make sure the policy covers the itinerary and planned activities. If you travel without adequate cover, you may have to meet cancellation, medical, repatriation and other emergency costs yourself, which can be very costly in the event of an emergency.