Buying travel insurance should be straightforward, but making the wrong choice can leave you without proper cover when you need it most. To ensure your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible, let’s look at the most common mistakes travellers make and how Gigasure can help you avoid them. 

1. Not Knowing What Your Insurance Actually Covers 

Many people assume their travel insurance covers all potential mishaps, but policies often have exclusions or limits.  

Not fully understanding your travel insurance coverage can lead to unexpected financial burdens when something goes wrong. If you're unclear on what your policy includes, you risk facing out-of-pocket expenses for medical emergencies, cancellations, or lost belongings. By knowing exactly what's covered, you can travel confidently, avoid unwelcome surprises, and ensure you have the right protection for your needs. 

One common knowledge gap for travel insurance is around Adventure Sports. If your trip includes high-adrenaline activities, double-check they’re covered as part of your standard policy, if not you should consider upgrading your policy to include cover for your desired activities. Gigasure’s policies, for instance, offer optional Adventure Sports cover tailored to the more adventurous. 

Pro Tip: Read the policy details carefully. With Gigasure, you can see your policy documents and manage your policy directly in the app, so you’re always clear on what’s included. 

2. Choosing the Cheapest Option

Low-cost policies may seem attractive, but they may come with limited benefits. Cheap cover could leave you vulnerable to high out-of-pocket expenses, especially for medical emergencies abroad. Cheaper policies also may have higher excesses, lower benefit levels and a reduced range of benefits.

Gigasure offers different levels of cover (Core, Pro, and Max), allowing you to choose the plan that best fits your travel plans. In addition to the three standard plans, Gigasure allows you to customise your selected plan by using the toggles to add or remove benefits empowering you to create a policy that fits your needs and budget. For further personalisation, you can choose between a selection of add-ons that can be included to provide cover for activities like skiing, cruising or a variety of adventure sports.

3. Ignoring Pre-Existing Conditions or Not Declaring them Properly

If you have a pre-existing condition, it’s essential to declare it, even if you’re feeling healthy at the time of booking. Failing to disclose your medical conditions could lead to denied claims or only a proportion of your claim being paid if a medical issue arises during your trip. 

With Gigasure, you have cover for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions, ensuring you’re protected during your travels. Make sure you go through the medical screening process for you and any other travellers when purchasing your travel insurance.  

4. Overlooking Trip Cancellation cover

Unexpected events can disrupt your plans before you even start travelling. Some travellers skip adding trip cancellation cover, which can leave them unable to recoup prepaid expenses like flights or accommodation if they need to cancel.  

However, some customers may not need cancellation coverage if they are travelling last minute or have flexible flight and accommodation booking arrangements. Gigasure automatically includes cancellation cover but gives customers the flexibility to remove it if not required. 

Gigasure offers Trip Cancellation Benefits that provide protection against unforeseen circumstances, ensuring you’re financially covered if plans change unexpectedly. Please read your policy documents carefully to familiarise yourself with all that this benefit has to offer.

5. Buying Insurance Too Late 

A common mistake is waiting until the last minute to buy travel insurance. Purchasing cover at the eleventh hour could leave you without essential benefits, such as cancellation cover.  

Gigasure recommends buying insurance as soon as your trip is booked to ensure you’re protected from any unexpected changes before departure. 

6. Failing to Add Cover for Gadgets 

Laptops, cameras, smartphones—travelling with expensive gadgets is common, yet many travellers forget to insure them. Previously a study showed that three-quarters of British travellers (75%) expect their standard travel insurance to cover lost or stolen gadgets like phones, tablets, and cameras, yet almost two-thirds (59%) do not fully understand how this works. Nearly one in five (18%) expects a full refund for the original price paid, while 27% believe they will get back the original cost minus an excess.  

Gigasure policies automatically include a limited amount of cover for Gadgets under Personal Belongings and Baggage, and offer customers the opportunity to increase these limits by choosing the Gadget Plus Boost in the Gigsure app.  

Additionally, a recent analysis from Gigasure reveals that the average value of belongings a child travels with on a week-long trip is £3,911.79. Considering that most family travel insurance policies only cover items up to £2,000 per person, many families are left with a significant shortfall in coverage. With more than 1.9 million children expected to travel abroad during a half term, over £3.6 billion worth of items are potentially uninsured. This underinsurance can be a considerable risk when travelling with children, as the value of their gadgets, toys, and travel gear can quickly add up. 

To avoid disappointment, it's important to understand that gadgets are not routinely covered under most standard travel insurance policies, and many insurers will only pay the second-hand value if the gadget is more than six months old. Insurance providers may also apply an age-related deduction.  

Gigasure offers Gadget Boost options that you can add through the Gigasure app, so your valuables are protected whether you’re hiking or sightseeing. Please read your policy documents carefully to make sure you fully understand what is or isn’t covered as part of the policy you purchased or are about to purchase.  

7. Buying When Already Abroad 

Purchasing travel insurance after departing is another risky move. Most travel insurance providers won't provide cover once you’re already travelling, which means you could be left without protection. Please ensure you plan ahead to secure your cover before your depart on your trip.  

8. Going Beyond Policy Limits 

Standard travel insurance policies often have limits on activities and the level of risk they cover. Adventure activities, such as skiing or long-distance trekking, may require special add-ons.  

Gigasure provides optional Adventure Sports cover, so you can enjoy your holiday activities knowing you’re fully insured. Read your policy carefully to ensure it covers what you need it to. 

9. Not Checking the Duration Limits

Ensure you select the right policy for your travel needs. You can choose from Single Trip Travel Insurance, which covers you for one trip and a specific number of days, Annual Multi-Trip Insurance, which covers multiple trips throughout the year, or Backpackers Travel Insurance, offering cover for up to 13 continuous months. 

Gigasure’s Backpackers Insurance covers trips of up to 13 months, with the flexibility to upgrade your policy to provide cover for specific activities and adventures. You can even return home up to three times for 10 days each time while maintaining cover during those breaks.

10. Overlooking Post-Purchase Flexibility and Upgrades 

Life happens, and travel plans can change. Some insurance providers offer limited flexibility once a policy is purchased, but a more dynamic option is much more convenient.  

With Gigasure, you can add or adjust cover after purchase. Whether it’s adding Winter Sports cover, Golf cover or boosting your gadget protection, Gigasure ensures that you’re only paying for the cover you need. With our Backpackers Insurance plans you have the option to choose between two types of post-purchase Boosts:  

• Permanent Boosts for Backpackers Core cover like Adventure Sports and Activities, Extended Travel Disruption, and Gadget Plus, which provide cover for the entire trip duration once activated. These are included as standard in our Backpackers Max cover.

• Temporary Boosts, such as Winter Sports, Cruise, and Golf Cover, bookable for a limited period to protect you during specific activities without paying for unnecessary cover if you don't need it for the full trip.

11. Travelling Without Reviewing Your Insurance Policy

Many travellers purchase insurance and assume they're fully covered without thoroughly reviewing their policy. Important details like exclusions, limits, and special conditions are often overlooked. 

Gigasure makes it easy to review your policy documents in the Gigasure app, so you can travel confidently knowing exactly what’s covered and what’s not. Once you download the app, your travel companion, all things Travel Insurance are just a step away.  

12. Not Understanding the Claims Process 

One often-overlooked aspect of insurance is understanding the claims process. Complex manual forms and long processing times can leave travellers frustrated.  

Gigasure’s fully digital claims process is simple and quick, allowing you to submit claims easily from your mobile device, wherever you are. Through the app, you can chat with our team or give them a call if you prefer. 

13. Skipping Proper Documentation Needed to Submit a Claim 

Another aspect to be well aware of is the proof receipts/documents you will need to successfully submit a claim. Make sure you familiarise yourself with all that is needed before starting your travels. Getting your details wrong or not keeping proper documentation can lead to claim rejections. Keep copies of receipts, travel itineraries, and proof of incidents. 

14. Assuming “One Size Fits All” 

Every traveller has unique needs, and one-size-fits-all policies don’t always provide the expected protection. The type of trip, planned activities, and individual concerns all impact the type of cover you’ll need. 

Gigasure’s customisable plans allow you to personalise your plans using the toggle to add or remove benefits to match your travel needs and budget. This will provide you with a tailored insurance solution specifically tailored to your needs.

15. Forgetting to Compare Cover Levels 

Not all policies are created equal, and it’s essential to compare cover levels to ensure you’re getting the best cover.  

Gigasure’s Travel Insurance Core, Pro, and Max options offer flexibility and peace of mind—from essential cover to premium benefits—so you can select the right level for your journey.  

Gigasure Backpacker Insurance offers two plans: Core and Max, each with its own set of benefits and pricing. Compare them to find the perfect fit for your travel plans. 

Travel Insurance Made Simple with Gigasure  

With Gigasure, buying Travel Insurance is straightforward and transparent. Avoid these common mistakes by choosing a policy designed with your unique travel needs in mind. Whether it’s real-time delay benefits, flexible add-ons, or adventure sports cover, Gigasure is here to make sure you’re covered every step of the way. 

Ready to travel with peace of mind? Explore Gigasure’s travel insurance options today and avoid the mistakes that could put your journey at risk.