If you are looking to buy travel insurance for an upcoming trip, it is important to assess your coverage needs to ensure that you choose the correct policy. Annual travel insurance, otherwise known as multi-trip insurance, is a policy that provides cover for individuals who travel more regularly, and it is paid once off for 12 months of cover. This type of insurance would suit someone who travels more than twice per year such as businesspeople who travel often and sometimes at the last minute. Getting annual travel insurance is often more cost effective than buying single trip insurance for each trip.

Annual travel insurance has the benefit of being flexible with more coverage options. If you require a typical/standard policy, you can choose that over a plan with higher limits for pay outs, and vice versa. Another plus side to having annual travel insurance is that once you have bought it, you are covered for 12 months, there is no need to worry about insuring each and every trip you book over that period.

How does annual multi-trip travel insurance work?

To benefit from multi-trip travel insurance, you are required to pay upfront for 12 months of cover and you will receive insurance for an unlimited number of holidays or trips during that period. Each individual trip will, however, have a time limit. On most multi-trip travel insurance policies, you will save more if you travel more.

What does annual travel insurance cover?

A standard annual multi-trip insurance policy covers:

• Medical emergencies: this includes cost of any treatment; hospital stays as well as repatriation to your home country if deemed medically necessary.
• Cancellation or curtailment: this may help if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to something that is out of your control.
• Missed departure or delays: this covers instances where your flight is missed or delayed.
• Baggage cover: covers your possessions and luggage for loss, damage, or theft.
• Personal liability: this covers the cost of any unintentional damage or injury you cause to another person or object while you are away.

How to buy annual multi-trip travel insurance

The best way to find a good policy that suits your needs and your budget is by comparing plans across the board. You should always look at pay out limits and the levels of coverage before buying a plan. For example, if you go on skiing or winter sports trips frequently, you may require a higher level of coverage or higher pay out limits due to the increased risk of injury associated with these sports.