Issue #72: Don’t Forget to Pack THIS in Your Suitcase!

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It’s nearly that time again - beaches, ice cold drinks, the smell of sun cream in the air…

sound familiar? 😅 

But before you start packing your passport and dreaming of that poolside spritz… let’s talk about something you probably don’t want to think about:

🥱 travel insurance 🥱

Travel insurance feels like the most boring adult thing ever.

like super extremely mega “why do I have to think about this” BORING

BUT turns out it’s actually super extremely mega “you do have to think about this” IMPORTANT !!

and you do not want to be the person who skips on it and ends up thousands of pounds out of pocket when something goes wrong

So for that reason, before you all jet off on your summer holidays

Let me explain why travel insurance can go wrong and how to avoid it, so you can leave the adulting at home the moment you step on that plane/boat/car☀️

❌ 1. Your cover runs out (and you didn’t realise)

Flight delays, extended stays, spontaneous decisions to stay just a little longer… these can all mean you end up overseas after your policy has expired.

Most single-trip policies only cover you for the dates you select, and annual ones typically cap trips at 30–40 days (sometimes more, sometimes way less if you’re over 65).

If you’re still abroad when the clock runs out, your insurer LITERALLY can say: “Not our problem.”

To make sure this doesn’t happen, check your trip length, check your dates, and if plans change, let your insurer know immediately!!

You might need to buy extra cover - and better to sort that before anything goes wrong.

❌ 2. You didn’t have the cover you thought you did

You bought your policy in a rush and just assumed they all covered the same stuff. But not all policies are created equal, and those tiny details? They matter.

Like, did you know some policies won’t cover you if you miss an activity due to illness, unless you had to fly home early? 🧐

So pleaaaseeee make sure you read the small print (or at least skim over it with a coffee).

Look for policy limits, exclusions, excesses, etc etc… (you can always run it through ChatGPT lol) - if in doubt, compare before you buy.

❌ 3. You don’t have the paperwork they want

If you end up making a claim, you most likely need PROOF. Whether it’s a doctor’s note, a police report, or receipts for stolen stuff.

If you don’t have the right evidence, your claim might go nowhere.

And trust me, chasing a report from a foreign police station three weeks later whilst they’ve long since forgotten about you is ROUGH.

If anything goes wrong while you’re away, contact your insurer immediately and ask what you’ll need, and keep any receipts or evidence just in case.

Ask for more proof than you think.

Being proactive = less drama later.

 ❌ 4. You’re stuck in a blame game

Ok so you could be stuck in a nightmare loop where the airline wants you to talk to the insurer and the insurer says NOPE talk to your airline.

sigh…

Many insurers expect you to exhaust all other refund options first (like the airline, hotel, or your credit card provider under Section 75). But sometimes, companies will just try to pass the responsibility onto the insurer instead.

So, know your rights!!! Let your insurer know early if something goes wrong, even if you’re not sure who’s at fault yet. It’ll make your life easier if you do need to make a claim later.

❌ 5. The insurer just… messes it up

Yeah, this one’s rough. Even when you do everything right, insurers sometimes fumble claims, go quiet, or reject them unfairly.

In fact, travel insurance gets a bad rep for this 🫣

If you’re getting nowhere, make an official complaint. Be clear, polite, and say exactly what you want.

If that doesn’t work, escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service - they resolve thousands of cases every year.

Gosh that was a lot wasn't it😅😅 

But TRUST ME, travel insurance can be a lifesaver when it works when you need it.

Take 10 mins to check your policy, know your rights, and give your future self the gift of less chaos if something goes sideways.

So my friends, enjoy your well-deserved break.

Just don’t forget the SPF… or the insurance. 😉

^{DISCLAIMER: None of the above is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly education and should not be taken as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and always do your own research.}