Please see below a list of changes we have made to our policies, which may affect returning customers when buying future policies.
Effective from 1st December 2023
This document details the main changes to the updated policy wording. It does not contain a record of every amendment or those made to individual client policies. Please ensure that you read in full any documentation provided in conjunction with the updated policy wording to determine the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy cover.
IPID changes
Under the what is insured section the following change has been made:
Under the restrictions of cover, an addition has been made:
Under the medical section of the policy there has been a change made to the hospital benefit as below:
Policy wording changes
There is no longer any cover for End Supplier Failure. Therefore, changes have been made to the following sections of the policy:
Under the medical section of the policy there has been a change made to the hospital benefit as below:
Under the medical exclusions, an amendment has been made in respect of claims as a result of a motorised vehicle:
Under the policy information there has been a new definition added as below:
Delay and Abandonment – If you are delayed
Under the Cutting Short Your Trip – If you have to cut short your trip section, an addition has been made to Additional Costs to Return Home Early:
Under the medical exclusions, the definition regarding blood alcohol level exceeding 0.19% is now defined as approximately:
Under the Emergency Medical Expenses and Medical Repatriation – If you need emergency medical treatment abroad & If you need to be brought home, an addition has been made to medical repatriation:
Under the Money and Travel documents section, there is no cover for:
Under the Personal Accident, Personal Liability and Legal Expenses section, a new definition has been added:
Under the Legal Advice section, an addition has been made:
Under the Personal Accident – If you are killed, injured or disabled following an accident, there will be no cover section, an addition has been made:
Under the Legal Expenses – If you need legal advice, there will be no cover section, an addition has been made:
Under Sports and activities NOT covered, an addition has been made:
Covid -19 extension
Under the Cutting Short Your Trip section, there is no longer cover for delay departing from the UK due to delayed Covid-19 test results
Large Scale Events extension
A new definition added as below:
Delay and Abandonment – If you are delayed:
Delay and Abandonment – If you decide to abandon your travel plans:
Insurer Update
All Insurancewith and Insurancewith Partnerships policies issued/sold on and after the 6th January 2022 will be Insured by Collinson Insurance. Collinson Insurance is a trading name of Astrenska Insurance Limited who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Their Financial Services Register Number is 202846. These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register at: www.fca.org.uk
End Supplier Sections of Cover Only
If the policy you choose has End Supplier Cover included, these sections of cover are provided by International Passenger Protection Limited, IPP House, 22-26 Station Road, West Wickham, Kent BR4 0PR, United Kingdom and is underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (The Insurer). The Insurer is authorised and regulated by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance and the Commissariat aux Assurances. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority (registered number 829959). Details of the Temporary Permissions Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website www.fca.org.uk
Policy and Product Updates:
Cancelling or Amending your policy
Please tell us as soon as you are aware that your policy does not meet your needs. If you cancel within 14 days of the receipt of your documentation. If you have not started a trip, made a claim, or intend to make a claim, we will give you a full refund. If you cancel outside of the 14-day cooling-off period, no premium will be refunded.
However, discretion may be exercised in exceptional circumstances to provide a refund for unused cover, those exceptional circumstances being bereavement or an unexpected change to your policy resulting in us being unable to continue covering you. The unused premium will be calculated on a sliding scale basis as follows:
Single Trip Policies Before Travel
Annual Multi Trip Policies
| Number of months policy was live before cancellation | % Refund |
| 1 month | 75% |
| 2 months | 60% |
| 3 months | 50% |
| 4 months | 40% |
| 5 months | 30% |
| 6 months | 25% |
| 7 months | 20% |
| 8 months | 15% |
| 9 months | 10% |
| 10 months | 5% |
| 11 months | 0% |
| 12 months | 0% |
Policy Extensions Available
The following upgrades are available to be purchased for an additional premium:
Depreciation/Wear and Tear Scale for Personal Belongings
| Age of Property | Clothing and Personal Effects | Jewellery | Electronic Equipment | Cosmetics, Toiletries & Perfumes | Gadgets | Winter Sports and Golf Equipment |
| 0-1 Month | 0% | 0% | 0% | 50% | 0% | 5% |
| 1-6 Months | 5% | 0% | 5% | 50% | 5% | 10% |
| 6-12 Months | 10% | 0% | 10% | 50% | 10% | 15% |
| 1-2 Years | 15% | 5% | 20% | 60% | 20% | 35% |
| 2-3 Years | 20% | 10% | 30% | 70% | 30% | 55% |
| 3-4 Years | 25% | 15% | 40% | 80% | 40% | 70% |
| 4-5 Years | 30% | 20% | 50% | 90% | 50% | 80% |
| 6 Years + | 40% | 25% | 60% | 95% | 60% | 100% |
Gadget Cover
With the new insurer comes a new approach to gadget cover. On Insurancewith and Insurancewith Partnerships, we will not have an option to add gadget cover, but it will be built into certain schemes as standard. Please see cover grids and policy wordings for more information.
Previously the gadget cover was on a ‘repair’ cover concept, whereas now the cover will simply pay out for the cost of a replacement item up to the limit on the policy much like the other personal possession sections of cover.
There is no longer cover available for the cost of Unauthorised Calls and Data Download.
Gadget Claims will now be handled by the Insurer in the same way that all other claims will be.
Gadget Definition Update
Gadget are now defined as:
Mobile/smart phones, tablets, laptops, computers, smart watches, games consoles (including handheld consoles), wearable activity trackers, including any accessory items, and drones.
Sports and Activities
As of launch, we will be changing the way we approach activities and activity packs. The new insurer has given us a new standard list of activities which don’t require any additional premium to be covered.
The standard list is much larger than it was before and covers many more high risk activities such as sky diving!
This will apply to all standard Single Trip, Multi Trip and Backpacker Longstay Policies.
The Winter Sports scheme will have the same activities covered as standard but with the addition of a long list of winter activities included as well.
Please find the new list of activities here: https://www.insurancewith.com/activity-packs/
Increased Medical Excess Only
This additional excess will still apply if an excess waiver has been purchased but it will not be applied to claims of less than £500. Only the standard excess will apply in these scenarios.
Specific Section Updates
Cancelling Your Trip – If you are unable to go on your trip
Cover being added:
Policy Extensions Available on this section:
Cover being removed:
Delay and Abandonment – If you are delayed and If you decide to abandon your trip
Cover being added:
Delays and abandonment caused by:
Delays will now be covered on the outbound and inbound leg on your trip.
Policy Extensions Available on this section:
Cover being removed:
Missed Departure from the UK – If you miss your departure
Cover being added:
Missed Departure from the UK caused by:
Policy Extensions Available on this section:
Cover being removed:
Missed Departure Outside the UK – If you miss your departure and If you miss your connection
Cover being added:
Missed Departure and Missed Connection Outside the UK caused by:
We now also be able to cover you for the costs of essential prescription medication when your supply runs out under this section.
Policy Extensions Available on this section:
Cover being removed:
Substitute Accommodation – If a major incident happens while you are away
Cover being added:
This section covers additional accommodation costs if you are forced to move from your pre-booked accommodation and into an alternative at the same destination. Your original accommodation must be uninhabitable for a reason listed below for at least 24 hours. We will pay up to the sum insured for the same standard of accommodation as you originally booked when your travel provider does not supply an alternative.
Cover is also provided for the emergency replenishment of prescription medication, up to a maximum of £150, if you are unable to access your prescription medication due to a problem with your trip accommodation.
Policy Extensions Available on this section:
Cutting Short Your Trip – If you have to cut short your trip
Cover being added:
Policy Extensions Available on this section:
Cover being removed:
Money and Travel Documents – If your cash is lost or stolen
Cover being removed:
Money and Travel Documents – If you need emergency travel documents
Cover being removed:
How To Make A Claim and 24-Hour Emergency Medical Assistance:
First, check your policy certificate and the appropriate section of your policy wording to make sure that what you are claiming for is covered. You can set up a claim online or by telephone, you must ensure that you have all relevant documents and any receipts, please see claims evidence below.
All claims must be submitted within 60 days of your return from your trip. You must assist us in providing all requested information, including completing any requested forms, or you may experience a delay in the processing of your claim. When claims settlements are made by BACS (Bank automatic Clearing System) or other electronic banking system method, you will be responsible for supplying us with the correct bank account details and your full authority for us to remit monies directly to that account. Provided that payment is remitted to the bank account designated by you, we shall have no further liability or responsibility in respect of such payment, and it shall be your sole responsibility to make collection of any misdirected payment in the event of incorrect details having been provided to us.
Claims & assistance services are administered by Collinson Insurance Services Ltd.
24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance
You must contact the medical emergency service once you know you will be in a medical facility for at least 24 hours
How To Make A Complaint
| MAKING A COMPLAINT |
| If your complaint relates to the sales literature, the way in which your policy was sold to you, the Medical Screening Service or regarding information about your policy, please contact:
Complaints Manager Insurancewith Complaints 1 Tower View Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4UY Email: complaints@tifgroup.co.uk Telephone: 0333 005 1067 Open: 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday |
| If your complaint relates to a claim, or assistance you received whilst travelling, please contact:
Quality Department Collinson Insurance Services Limited Sussex House Perrymount Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1DN Email: Complaints@collinsoninsurance.com Telephone: 0333 333 9702 |
| If your complaint relates to the end supplier sections of cover or claims, please contact:
End Supplier Complaints (IPP) Compliance Officer Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE, 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3AW. Email: complaints@libertyglobalgroup.com Telephone: +44 (0)203 758 0840 |
| Our promise of service – We will aim to provide you with a full response within 4 weeks of the date we receive your complaint, and our response will be our final decision based on the evidence presented. If for any reason there is a delay in completing our investigations, we will explain why and tell you when we hope to reach a decision. In any event, should you remain dissatisfied or fail to receive a final answer within 8 weeks of us receiving your complaint, you may have the right to refer your complaint to an independent authority for consideration. That authority is:
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Exchange Tower Harbour Exchange Square London E14 9SR Email: complaints.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk Telephone: (Landline) 0800 0234 567 or (Mobile) 0300 1239 123 More information can be found on their website – www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk. Please note that if you wish to refer this matter to the FOS you must do so within 6 months of our final decision. You must have completed the above procedure before the FOS will consider your case. Your legal rights are not affected. |
From 8th July 2021 the main insurer of our travel insurance products has changed from Union Reiseversicherung AG (URV) to White Horse Insurance Ireland dac . Our cover and prices have not been affected by this change. More information can be found here.
From 24th September 2020 our Staycation Plus Single and Multi Trip policies also include enhanced cover for COVID-19- click here for more details.
From 13th August 2020 our Sapphire and Platinum Single and Multi Trip policies provide:
From 13th March 2020, there is no cover under our policies for:
Paris is the world’s number one tourist destination, and with good reason. Not only is it the city of love, it boasts fantastic food, amazing museums, beautiful architecture and so much more. Disabled visitors needn’t worry about missing out on experiencing all that Paris has to offer either, as the city strives hard to be accessible for all.
Let’s take a look at how accessible it really is.
Transport
Improvements are constantly being made to Paris’s various transport systems, and there are many ways disabled travellers can get around with relative ease. All trains can be boarded with the use of a ramp, and many stations have facilities to help disabled people, including lifts, tactile bands and strips, sound guidance system and adapted toilets.
If you’re planning to drive to and around Paris by car, you’ll be pleased to know travelling in an adapted class 2 vehicle (van type) entitles you to lower class 1 (saloon type) rates at motorway tolls. To pay these discounted rates, you’ll need to drive up to a booth that has a member of staff. If the toll is automated, use the intercom system to explain you’re entitled to a discount.
All 63 lines of the Paris bus network are accessible to disabled visitors, as each vehicle is equipped with a ramp. Around 80 per cent of bus stops have raised pavements too. Those with visual impairments are catered for also, as every bus announces what the next stop will be. However, not all of them have a visual announcement system for deaf or hard of hearing passengers.
Paris’s three tramways are accessible to all tourists, no matter their disability. Things get a bit more complicated when it comes to the metro, though. Blind or visually impaired travellers will want to travel on lines 1 and 14, if they can, as both of them have platform screens at stations and carriages which announce the next stop. On lines 1, 2, 3 and 13, the next station is shown visually. Only line 14 is completely accessible to wheelchair users.
Another option is to take a taxi – Taxis G7 has more than 120 vehicles specially adapted to wheelchair users and the drivers are trained to help disabled and visually impaired tourists.
Getting around on foot
Paris is mostly flat, so travellers with mobility or respiratory problems shouldn’t have any issues walking around. The pavements are also smooth – very few have cobblestones. The only problem is that many of the attractions are far apart, so you’ll need to plan your days carefully if you want to avoid getting on too many metros/buses/taxis.
It’s worth noting that there are around 400 accessible public toilets around the city of Paris and they are free to use. They contain information in both Braille and audio recordings, so travellers that have a sight or hearing impairment will find them useful too.
Attractions
Musée du Louvre
One of the world’s largest museums, you cannot visit Paris without going to The Louvre. Fortunately, it is wheelchair accessible and chairs can even be loaned from the museum, should you need one. Entry is free for disabled people and their accompanying companion. Just remember to bring written proof of your condition with you.
Many of the activities and workshops at the museum are adapted to suit a number of different conditions. Those with a sight impairment can benefit from touch tours, information written in Braille, descriptive tours and audio guides.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is another iconic landmark that cannot be missed. Don’t worry about having to climb all those stairs to reach the top – there is a lift available, with wheelchair users being able to go up to the first and second floors. Sadly, if you’re in a wheelchair you cannot travel to the very top for safety reasons. However you can still get excellent views from the accessible floors. It’s recommended that you take the lift if you have a vascular or lung condition, as those stairs are bound to put a strain on your body!
Discounted rates are available for disabled visitors and one companion and there are accessible toilets within the tower too.
No matter what sort of disability, impairment or long-term condition you have, Paris is a great place to visit and is very accessible. Its metro needs some work, but changes are bound to be implemented over time.
Travelling is one of life’s perks and can be hugely enjoyable, but when you have a mental health condition, travel can add to the challenges of arranging a trip abroad.
With one in four of us expected to experience some form of mental health condition throughout our lifetimes, it’s common for people to travel with one disorder or another.
From depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder, it’s important to remember that it’s all about planning well in order to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
The team here at Insurancewith have compiled a handy travel checklist for you to read through before you embark on your trip:
Packing physical things isn’t the only thing you need to think about before travelling. Travel can be stressful at the best of times, so doing your research and preparing well can lower your stress levels and reduce the risk of any panic. Insurancewith recommends that you:
Whether you have a pre-existing medical condition or not, it is important to know what to do should you need medical attention abroad. Getting the right treatment or prescription that you need can be tricky when you’re in an unfamiliar country or aren’t near local amenities. This article will give you all the advice and information that you need should you require medical help abroad.
In the UK we are served by the NHS when it comes to medical emergencies. Starting up in 1948, the NHS serves over 1 million people every 36 hours! If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, you will have to pay for prescriptions from the NHS (exceptions are available here) so make sure you know what it is you need during your time away.
We recommend travelling with one or two copies of your prescription in case you need medication while you’re travelling. Carrying these will enable any local doctors to help treat you should you require more of your medication or need emergency help. We also recommend asking your doctor to write a letter which outlines your prescribed medication including any general names that there might be for them (they may be called something different in other countries).
From 1st January 2021 rules around travel to Europe have changed, visit the Government website for up to date information on passports, EHIC, healthcare and more. We’ll update this page with more information as and when the Government release it.
Before you set off on your travels, you will need to check with your GP to find out if they will prescribe enough medication for your trip. Usually they will only do this if they feel that you will need the medication while you’re away. In some cases, if your GP agrees that you may need your medication while you’re away, they may give you a private prescription which means you will need to pay for it.
When packing your medication, ensure you have enough to last the full length of your trip including several extras in case your flight gets delayed, some get lost, or there are any other hiccups in your journey. Make sure that you pack your medication in your hand luggage in case your suitcase gets lost, you don’t want to be without it!
You will need to check before you go that you can take your special medication into the country you’re travelling to. Some countries have bans on certain drugs, and the last thing you want is to have your medication confiscated! This also goes for checking the maximum quantity of your medication you’re allowed to take as some countries have a controlled limit that you can bring with you.
If you need to take any medical equipment with you, for example needles or syringes, keep them in their original correctly labelled packages with your medicine, as well as a copy of your prescription. You should also ensure that your medicines will stay in date during your trip. If your medicine has special requirements, such as having to be kept at room temperature or in a fridge, you should ask your pharmacist for advice. Travelling to hot countries with medicine with these requirements can require special attention so it is always wise to take precautions such as storing in an ice pack or cool bag for hot countries.
If you find yourself in a medical emergency, the best thing to do is not to panic as you could end up causing yourself more harm. In the UK, ambulances and treatment are free on the NHS; however this is not the case in other countries. Countries such as the USA charge for ambulance callouts and you could find yourself with a large bill should you not know about this.
It is also a good idea to keep some money in a bank account or on a credit card, in case you incur any charges should you get into medical trouble. This way you can pay off any hospital or transport bills that you may need once you’re out there.
When travelling to a foreign country, it is always a good idea to learn a few phrases to help you when you’re there. This can be very beneficial if you get into a medical emergency or require assistance as a small amount of the local language can go a long way.
Learning to ask individuals if they speak English or if there is someone you can speak to who knows the language will help you greatly. In more tourist heavy areas you will be able to find someone that you can speak to, as a lot of places will use the English language. Ask your doctor to write down your medication and any allergies that you might have so that you can show these to a medical profession whilst abroad. You can also research before you go to see if these have other names in other countries.
When you are travelling to another country, you should always check the countries’ healthcare costs and services. Checking for any recent outbreaks or epidemics will also prove useful as there may be some extra precautions that you need to take.
Healthcare in Europe is provided via a different range of systems, all of which are funded primarily through public taxation.
Having a travel insurance policy can also protect you from the expensive costs of ambulances, the costs if you have to stay overnight in hospital and some tests which would otherwise contribute towards a hefty medical bill.
From 1st January 2021 rules around travel to Europe have changed, visit the Government website for up to date information on passports, EHIC, healthcare and more. We’ll update this page with more information as and when the Government release it.
When visiting Asia, mosquito-borne diseases are the most common ailment that travellers pick up. Diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are among the illnesses that you won’t find at home but can pick up in Asian countries. We recommend that you take out travel insurance for when you travel to any Asian country as you will be required to pay for treatment if you require it. You will also need vaccinations before travelling to Asia. It is best to consult your doctor at least two months before travelling to ensure you receive all jabs you need.
To avoid being bitten by insects, it is best to ensure you’re covered with light clothing around dusk and dawn as this is when mosquitos are most prevalent. You should also wear a mosquito repellent and keep it with you in order to reapply on a regular basis. In your accommodation, make sure that you have mosquito nets around your bed for when you sleep or ensure that there are mosquito screens on your windows. You should also only drink bottled water as most of the local water in Asia is unsafe to drink.
The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with the UK which means if you are a UK citizen and have applied for a Subclass Visa 410 before 1 December 1998, you are covered for the duration of your stay in Australia.
This healthcare will cover you for any necessary medical attention – for example if you fall ill or injure yourself when in the country. You will also have access to subsidised medicine (under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)) as well as Medicare benefits for out-of-hospital treatment, such as the doctors.
If you did not apply for a Subclass Visa 410 before 1 December 1998 then you will need to take out travel insurance for your trip in order to cover yourself in case of accidental injury or illness.
You will need to pay for any medical treatment while in Africa, so it is important that you have travel insurance which will cover your health, as well as any emergency funds in case you are required to pay any bills. You should also contact your GP two months before travelling in order to obtain the right vaccinations for the area of Africa you are visiting.
Water in Africa (depending on which area you are visiting) is sometimes not safe to drink. If you’re unsure then you should stick to bottled water that you are familiar with. You should also carry mosquito repellent with you in order to avoid malaria. You should also familiarise yourself with the most recent epidemics in the area you’re visiting. For example, Ebola and HIV are very common in parts of Africa so it is important that you know what signs to look for should you feel unwell.
In the USA and the Caribbean you will be required to pay for any medical assistance that you may need. This includes medication, ambulances and hospital treatment. It is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance when you travel to these destinations as healthcare costs can be very pricy. For example, in the USA, ambulance call out costs can range anywhere from hundreds to sometimes thousands of dollars. You should also be sure to check when your travel insurance covers you. Sometimes you won’t be covered if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
There are occasional breakouts in some places in America – for example mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV). These can also spread to the Caribbean, where viruses such as Chikungunya are a common problem.
You will need to pay for any medical attention in North America, the same as you would with mainland America. Malaria is not a threat in North America unless you have contracted it elsewhere. We advise that you consult your GP 8 weeks before travelling in case there are any vaccinations that you may require, such as tetanus.
If you become ill on a cruise ship you may feel like you’re helpless, but this isn’t the case. When boarding your ship, make it known to the medical team if you have any medication that you need to take or have any special health requirements. If you have an accident or suddenly feel unwell, you should consult a member of staff immediately and they will be able to help you.
Most cruise ships have a fully equipped team of medical professionals who can help you in an emergency. Cruise ships have equipment such as x-ray machines, ventilators and will also be able to do blood tests. However, more advanced technology such as MRI and CT scans are not readily available. If you need these you may be air-lifted to the nearest hospital. For more information on cruise ship health emergencies, consult our page here.
In summary, we recommend consulting your local GP before travelling to another country, to ensure that there are no vaccinations that you require. You should also take copies of your prescriptions to prove they are yours and to help any pharmacies or doctors whilst you are on your trip.
You should also take out a good level of travel insurance that will cover you and your pre-existing medical conditions.
From 1st January 2021 rules around travel to Europe have changed, visit the Government website for up to date information on passports, EHIC, healthcare and more. We’ll update this page with more information as and when the Government release it.
With the sheer amount of travel insurance on offer these days it can be very overwhelming trying to find the right cover for you and when planning the holiday of a lifetime the last thing you want to do is stress over your cover.
If you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition then it is extremely important you are covered when travelling abroad, to help reduce the stress of choosing an insurance provider we have put together a quick guide for what you should look out for.
Every medical condition is different, as is every person who suffers from it. This means medical insurance providers need to be flexible and understand your condition and your needs in order to offer you the best service possible.
While some providers claim to be experts in medical insurance, it is always best to look through the information on their site to see if they have anything, which relates specifically to your condition. This will give you the reassurance that they have people on hand to discuss in detail any reservations you have about travelling.
Reviews and testimonials are also a great way to get an idea of what a company’s service is like prior to signing up. These will be from people in your position, possibly even with the same condition as yourself.
While it’s not the most exciting part of your holiday planning, ensuring you have the right cover for you can be one of the most important. Different companies offer different rates and cover, which may sometimes be confusing.
Medical cover is something, which is easy to take for granted when living within the UK as the NHS covers the vast majority of medical expenses that most people will encounter
Leaving the UK means you are also leaving the protective blanket of the NHS and if you should require any kid of medical assistance while abroad, you may face substantial fees.
With so much on offer it is easy to get confused. We believe your insurer should avoid all the legal jargon, hidden fees and be on hand to offer support and guidance on exactly what you need covered and why.
