Overview

Long Stay Travel Insurance provides comprehensive cover for customers who plan to spend an extended period abroad — typically longer than 90 days and up to a maximum of 18 months. It is specifically designed for individuals taking extended holidays, visiting family overseas, wintering abroad, or travelling for gap years and long-term leisure.

This policy ensures continuous medical and travel protection throughout the duration of the trip, giving customers peace of mind while away from home for an extended time.

Purpose of Cover

The policy bridges the gap between standard single-trip insurance (which often limits cover to 30–90 days) and annual multi-trip insurance (which resets after each journey). Long Stay cover is therefore ideal for customers:

• Spending the winter months abroad (e.g., Spain, Portugal, or Cyprus).

• Travelling across multiple destinations on an extended itinerary.

• Visiting family overseas for several months.

• Taking gap years, sabbaticals, or early retirement trips.

The policy provides continuous protection from the start date until the customer returns home, with options to extend if travel plans change.

Core Coverage Features

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for Long Stay Travel Insurance:

• The traveller must be a UK resident.

• The trip must begin and end in the UK.

• The traveller must be fit to undertake the journey when the policy is purchased.

• All medical conditions must be fully declared during the quotation process.

• The customer must be under 80 years of age at the start of the trip (age limits vary by insurer and region).

Customers are not eligible if they have already departed from the UK, or if they are emigrating or permanently relocating overseas.

Medical Screening and Pre-Existing Conditions

Medical conditions are not automatically excluded, but must be declared accurately to ensure valid cover.
Each condition is assessed through the medical screening process at the point of quotation, which evaluates severity, treatment stability, and recent hospitalisation history.

Geographical Cover Options

1. Europe Only — includes all European Union countries, the UK, Channel Islands, and EEA territories.

2. Worldwide (excluding USA/Canada) — includes all global destinations except the United States and Canada.

3. Worldwide (including USA/Canada) — provides cover for North America, where healthcare costs are significantly higher and premiums are adjusted accordingly.

Destination choice directly impacts premium cost and maximum cover period.

Policy Extensions

Customers may extend cover before the policy expiry date, subject to underwriter approval. Extensions may be limited based on:

• The traveller’s age.

• The total period already covered.

• The customer’s health status at the time of extension.

Extensions cannot be granted after the policy expires or if the customer is already making a claim.

Optional Upgrades

Agents can advise customers on additional protection based on travel needs:

• Winter Sports Add-On: Includes medical and equipment cover for skiing and snowboarding (maximum 31 days).

• Cruise Cover: Extends protection to cruise-specific risks such as missed port departures and cabin confinement.

• Gadget Cover: Provides replacement or repair for mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.

• Travel Disruption Cover: Protects against airline insolvency, strike action, or extended delays.

• COVID-19 Upgrade: Includes additional benefits for isolation costs and denied boarding events.

Claims and Emergency Process

1. In the event of illness, accident, or emergency abroad, the customer must contact the 24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance Line immediately.

2. The assistance provider will arrange local treatment, hospital admission, or medical repatriation if required.

3. Customers should retain medical reports, receipts, and invoices to support any claim.

4. Claims should be submitted through the online portal or via email using the customer’s policy number and travel details.

Failure to contact the emergency team before treatment may reduce the claim value.

Renewals and Multi-Trip Options

Long Stay policies can be renewed annually or converted into Annual Multi-Trip cover if the customer intends to take shorter, multiple trips in future. Renewal reminders are sent prior to expiry, and agents should ensure all medical details remain current at the time of renewal.

Exclusions

Long Stay Travel Insurance does not cover:

• Customers already abroad at the time of purchase.

• Planned permanent relocation or migration.

• Undeclared or misrepresented medical conditions.

• Participation in high-risk or extreme sports (unless covered by an optional add-on).

• Claims arising from alcohol or drug misuse.

• Travel to destinations against official FCDO advice.

Agent Guidance

When discussing Long Stay Travel Insurance:

• Confirm the trip length, age, and destination first, as these determine eligibility.

• Ask if the customer has any ongoing or managed medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or hypertension.

• Emphasise that all conditions must be declared truthfully to ensure full protection.

• Clarify that the policy cannot start after departure from the UK.

• Recommend optional cover for high-value items or specific travel activities.

Agents should always document advice and note whether the customer has confirmed understanding of medical disclosure requirements.

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