All you need to know about annual travel insurance policies

Ashley Kosciolek

As demand for travel soars and everything from weather to staffing issues leads to higher prices and cancellations, it's more important than ever to protect your trip arrangements with travel insurance .

However, it's not always easy figuring out which type of plan to pick. There are standard policies that cover general delays, interruptions and cancellations; "cancel for any reason" plans that account for personal whims in addition to unforeseen circumstances; and lesser-known annual options.

In this article, I'll go over what you need to know about the third type: annual travel insurance coverage.

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What is annual travel insurance?

post office annual travel insurance

Annual travel insurance plans (also known as multi-trip plans) last for one year and generally cover all trips taken within that period until either the policy expires or the maximum payout amounts are reached. The policy usually kicks in for trips that take you more than a certain distance from home.

For example, my Allianz AllTrips Prime annual plan remains in effect for one year following the purchase date of my policy. I'm covered on all trips during which I'm at least 100 miles from my residence.

This differs from standard travel insurance, which is purchased on a per-trip basis and covers only one specifically insured journey per policy. Standard policies begin when travel for the insured trip begins and end when the insured trip ends, rather than covering multiple travel experiences within a specific period of time.

What does annual travel insurance cover?

Coverage depends on the plan you purchase. There are usually several tiers from which to choose, with the lowest offering the least coverage and the highest offering the most.

Using my policy as an example, I'm covered for up to $3,000 per year in trip interruption expenses, including hotel room coverage at $250 per night, which I used when I was recently isolated for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.

My policy also offers a $3,000 annual trip cancellation benefit, $20,000 in emergency medical coverage, $100,000 in emergency transportation (including medevac services), $45,000 in rental car theft and damage protection, $25,000 in travel accident coverage and $1,000 for essentials in the event of baggage loss or damage, along with a handful of other small benefits.

Note that many annual policies do not include things like "cancel for any reason" coverage or trip interruption benefits. If those items are important to you, check with your provider before making a purchase.

How much is an annual travel insurance policy?

Sure, an annual travel insurance policy may sound great, but how much does one cost? I was surprised to find that insuring your trips for a whole year with an annual policy is often not much more expensive than insuring one or two trips individually, depending on the options you select.

A decent annual travel insurance plan will likely set you back a couple hundred dollars. The more coverage you add, the more expensive the plan will become. The cost also changes depending on variables like your age and where you live.

The best thing to do is contact your preferred provider for a quote or check out an aggregator like InsureMyTrip to compare premiums.

Which companies offer annual travel insurance plans?

post office annual travel insurance

The Points Guy recommends the following travel insurance providers , all of which sell annual or semi-annual policies:

  • Allianz Travel Insurance .
  • Seven Corners .
  • Travel Guard .
  • World Nomads .

When should I purchase annual travel insurance?

There are several reasons why annual travel insurance might be better for you than separate policies for individual trips. If you travel a lot — more than two or three times annually — it could be more cost-effective than purchasing separate policies for each journey.

For me, it makes sense because I travel for a living, often taking a dozen or more trips each year. Also, much of my travel is comped, which makes insurance more difficult to acquire. (If I haven't paid for a cruise, flight or hotel, I can't attach a dollar amount to it and, therefore, often can't insure it. I also wouldn't be able to provide purchase receipts in the event something went wrong and had to file a claim.)

Other factors to consider include your health, how adventurous your travels might be, whether you have coverage as a credit card perk and how much your travel arrangements cost versus how much coverage you can get with an annual plan versus individual policies.

Another consideration right now is COVID-19. For me, the annual plan made sense because most of Allianz's individual plans don't cover issues linked to COVID-19. However, the annual coverage I purchased does.

Other things to know about annual travel insurance policies

Here are a few additional tidbits I learned after filing a trip interruption claim under my annual travel insurance policy. Keep them in mind when deciding if an annual policy is right for you.

  • Before committing to the purchase of any travel insurance plan, make sure to inquire about specific components that are important to you. For me, those were COVID-19 coverage, trip interruption benefits and medevac coverage.
  • Know that your coverage does not reset each time you travel when you opt for an annual policy. So, if you have a trip that goes awry, you file a claim and you max out the benefit allowed by your plan, you won't have that benefit available to you for the remainder of your policy year.
  • Depending on your policy, you might have to return home between travel sessions in order for each trip to be covered. Taking several back-to-back trips could prevent them from qualifying for coverage under your annual insurance plan, so be sure to read the fine print, and plan accordingly.
  • If you purchase annual or multi-trip travel insurance, keep your policy card and provider phone number with the other important documents you bring when you travel so they're easily accessible in a pinch.
  • If you find yourself in a covered situation for which you'd like to seek reimbursement, keep all receipts and take photos that will help to support your claims when they're submitted.
  • Don't assume all your expenses will be reimbursed, even if you think they'll be covered. It doesn't hurt to try, but in my case, my Allianz plan only partially covered the hotel expenses I submitted.

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Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

The Post Office is regarded as the largest retail network in the UK as well as the largest financial services chain that’s been there for more than 370 years. However, apart from that, the company also offers insurance products, one of which is the post office travel insurance.

post office annual travel insurance

In this article, we’re going to talk about everything you need to know which regard to this particular travel insurance. But before that, let’s have a look at the achievements of the Post Office regarding insurances.

What is the Post Office?

Post Office has been voted the “Best Travel Insurance Provider” for 9 straight years starting from 2006 to 2015. Apart from that, it also received the Silver award from the British Travel Awards in 2016 and 2017.

As a massive network, the Post Office offers a wide range of options when it comes to their insurance policies. One of them is the rudimentary budget cover through the Super Economy Travel Insurance. There’s also the Premier Plus policy which provides complete coverage.

Primary Insurance Policies Offered

There are three main types of travel insurance policies offered by the Post Office, namely annual multi-trip, backpacker travel cover, and single trip.

Let’s have a breakdown of each of these policies:

Single Trip

The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days.

post office annual travel insurance

As the name implies, a single trip policy will cover for you if you plan to take a single trip in the near future.

Annual Multi-trip

The multi-trip policy allows you to spread your trip abroad using a voluntary add-on. You can receive coverage of around £10 million for a medical emergency. They also have a 24/7 medical emergency helpline available.

This policy is perfect if you plan to travel several times a year without having to go through the hassles of obtaining concealment every single time.

For the single and multi-trip policies, there are five different levels available.

Here’s a detail detailing these levels alongside other important details:

All of the levels come with a personal liability cover ranging from £1-3 million. However, the Super Economy comes with various extras like death, personal accident, personal money, hospital benefits, and passport cover.

Backpacker Travel

The backpacker travel insurance is designed for backpackers who are price aware. As such, the Post Office provides two coverage options for them: Economy and Super Economy.

post office annual travel insurance

The two policies will provide coverage for up to 18 months. Moreover, you can come back home 3 times within a span of seven days. However, you have to keep in mind that the coverage doesn’t apply if you’re in the UK.

This is often the best option if you plan an adventure trip as it covers you from sharks to safaris and more. The policy can be availed of by anyone between 18 and 60 years old. You can also avail of additional cover for business, cruise, golf, and winter sports and add any of them in the above policies but for an extra cost.

Other Policies Offered

Apart from the major insurance policies offered by the Post Office, there are also several other policies which are as follows:

This is perfect for individuals who plan to go on a golfing holiday . Through this policy, you can enjoy the following:

  • Protection in case you can’t play due to injury or poor weather
  • Coverage against injury personal liability cover and while playing
  • Coverage for your golfing equipment against theft

Cruise Cover

If you plan to enjoy the luxury of a cruise, then this policy is for you. It protects you from any unforeseen risks that might come along with cruise holidays. It comes with the following features:

  • Coverage for a delayed transport
  • Coverage for damage or stolen evening dress
  • Replacement of any lost or misplaced damaged

Winter Sports Cover

Winter sports do come with their own risks, but this policy will ensure that you can still have fun despite that. It comes with the following inclusions:

  • 24/7 medical assistance
  • Coverage for sports like ice skating and snowboarding
  • Protection from any injuries
  • Protection for a damaged or stolen equipment

Worldwide Cover

This policy ensures that you won’t suffer from any issues with your insurance when you go traveling around the world. It comes with the following features:

  • Emergency repatriation
  • 24/7 medical emergency helpline
  • Replacement for lost or stolen documents
  • Financial coverage for medical treatment in the event of injury or illness when traveling

Pre-Existing Medical Condition

post office annual travel insurance

Post Office’s coverage for a pre-existing medical condition ensures that you can get to have fun and enjoy life despite your condition. It includes the following features:

  • Quick and easy repatriation
  • Treatment monitoring
  • Payment for any medical expenses while you’re traveling

Family Cover

This is the perfect policy if you plan to travel together with your policy. This will allow you to avoid any hassles that come with obtaining individual policies for each of your family members. It includes the following:

  • Maximum of £10 million emergency medical coverage in the event of injury or illness while traveling
  • Assistance during a vehicle breakdown missed departure or delayed public transport

Cost and Coverage

One of the main reasons why the Post Office travel insurance has managed to outdo most of its competitors in the market is its very cheap cost. In fact, it has the cheapest insurance quotes available on the market.

post office annual travel insurance

When it comes to coverage, Post Office covers all basic forms of coverage including property damage, comprehensive coverage, and bodily injury liability among others. However, you can also gain access to special kinds of coverages that are exclusive to Post Office travel insurance members.

These special coverages come in the form of emergency road service, rental reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.

Policy Exclusions

These are the general exclusions that apply to any of Post Office’s travel insurance policies:

  • Claims due to war or act of terrorism
  • Traveling for the purpose of receiving treatment overseas
  • Traveling without heeding the advice of a medical professional
  • Personal injury caused intentionally
  • Taking part in an organized sports competition

Other Important Information about the Post Office Travel Insurance

  • Apart from providing coverage for any personal injury or illness sustained while traveling abroad, the Post Office will also offer guidance, assistance, and advice regarding legal proceedings and obtaining proper compensation.
  • When applying for any of their travel insurance policy, you can also choose to add an Excess Waiver. This will allow you to reduce your excess to zero, thereby removing the need to contribute to the cost of your claims. However, be prepared to spend an additional cost for this.
  • Even though there are only a few travel insurance providers that cover business travel, the Post Office’s policy will provide coverage for business travel that can greatly help professionals abroad. This policy will provide coverage for emergency couriers, employee replacement, equipment hire, computer equipment, and business money. This is only optional.
  • Not all optional cover types can be added to every policy type. Only the Cruise cover is applicable for the Premier and Premier Plus policies. Meanwhile, the Golf and Business cover is only applicable to Standard, Premier, and Premier Plus.
  • Various holiday activities and sports will be covered by the Post Office under the Standard policy. However, riskier activities like sailing and jet skiing won’t be covered for any personal accident claims.

Are there any special policy rules for pregnant women who travel?

There are certain limitations for pregnant women who want to travel.

post office annual travel insurance

In line with the Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth policy, coverage for pregnant women will only include the following:

  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Emergency Caesarean sections and medically necessary termination
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Hydatidiform mole
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum
  • Placental abruption
  • Placenta praevia
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Retained placenta membrane
  • Stillbirths and miscarriage
  • Premature births more than 8 weeks before the expected delivery date

Will the policy provide cover during a war or terrorist act?

Unfortunately, you won’t be covered for any terrorist act that doesn’t involve the use of chemical agents and nuclear weapons.

How many people are included in a family?

A family can either consist of a couple or a group consisting of up to 8 travelers.

post office annual travel insurance

It can also include a person with his/her partner, dependent children, and dependent grandchildren below 18 years of age. Keep in mind that you will have to pay the appropriate premium for this.

Wrapping Things Up

Post Office is one of the leading health insurance companies in the UK. With their wide range of travel insurance policies, you will be able to enjoy peace of mind as you go traveling into other countries.

post office annual travel insurance

The best part is, the policies offered by the Post Office are one of the most affordable options currently on the market.

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How Annual or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Works

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Table of Contents

What does annual travel insurance cover?

Single trip insurance vs. multi-trip travel insurance, how does annual travel insurance work, annual travel insurance plans, is annual travel insurance worth it, caveats to yearly travel insurance, if you're considering multi-trip travel insurance.

Are you hoping to fill your annual calendar with multiple travel adventures? When you’re heading out on a trip, travel insurance may provide peace of mind in case things go awry. It can provide protection in the event of unexpected injury and illness, no matter where you are.

For frequent travelers, sometimes a single-trip travel insurance policy just doesn’t cut it. Let’s take a look at when to buy annual travel insurance, what annual multi-trip insurance is and whether you should invest in this product.

For those who aren’t familiar with travel insurance, it basically works like this: Your personal insurance covers you when you’re at home. Travel insurance does the same when you’re abroad.

There are different levels and kinds of insurance, including those that’ll reimburse you if you have to quarantine, ones that let you cancel for any reason and even policies that cover emergency evacuation services.

Some common types of travel insurance include:

Health insurance .

Lost luggage insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Accidental death insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

Cancel For Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Most travel insurance policies will offer different levels of coverage for the different types outlined above. In some cases, you can customize your coverage to better meet your needs instead of opting for base-level policy inclusions.

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

Here's a high-level overview of how annual travel insurance policies differ from single trip plans.

Yearly travel insurance works a little bit differently than single-trip insurance. For the most part, you won’t find an annual travel insurance policy that covers extras such as baggage loss or rental car insurance, though you may find some that cover trip interruption and cancellation.

Why is annual travel insurance cheaper than single trip? Multi-trip insurance focuses mainly on medical policies, while single-trip policies can cover a broader range of issues.

In general, annual travel insurance will cover you in the event that you need medical care while traveling overseas. Different policies will have different coverage. Some can include hazardous sports such as skiing and scuba diving, while others will include care in the event you fall ill with COVID-19.

Check whether your medical care is primary or secondary; secondary medical insurance only pays out after other eligible insurances have made their payments.

If you’re looking to be covered for specific needs, be sure to double-check any policy before you decide to purchase it.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Purchasing an annual or multi-trip travel insurance plan doesn’t have to be expensive. Of course, you’ll want to get quotes before going forward with any purchase, so it’s best to do your homework ahead of time.

We put in a search for annual travel insurance plans using a 31-year-old traveling from California to Europe among three different policy providers.

1. Nationwide Travel Insurance

Nationwide came in at the cheapest for just $52 for the year, though at that price range it didn’t include trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance.

It was possible to add these in, but it increased the price appropriately. Otherwise, the plan offered $10,000 in emergency medical, $100 for baggage delay, $100 for trip delay and $500 for lost luggage

For our sample itinerary, Allianz offered three different annual travel insurance plans with varying levels of coverage — Executive, Prime and Basic.

The cheapest rang in at $138 for the year but also failed to include trip interruption, while the most expensive option would cost this travel $510.

Allianz’s lowest-cost option (Basic) provided $20,000 in emergency medical and $1,000 for baggage loss, as well as $45,000 for rental car insurance .

3. AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard returned just one option for multi-trip travel insurance, costing $259 for the year.

However, the increased price seems worth it for the additional coverage, which included $2,500 in trip interruption, $1,500 for trip delay, $500 for missed connections, $2,500 for lost baggage, $1,000 for delayed luggage and $50,000 for emergency medical.

There are a few different questions you’ll want to consider before purchasing travel insurance. This is true whether you’re looking for a single-trip policy or a plan that covers you for an entire year.

How often will you travel?

This is probably the most obvious question you’ll want to answer: How often do you travel? Are you out of town frequently? Do you stay out of the country for longer periods of time?

If you’re someone who goes on one or two vacations per year, for a week or two at a time, it may not be worth purchasing annual travel insurance. Although it’s cheaper than single-trip insurance, the benefits that you’ll receive are reduced accordingly.

What kind of trips are you taking?

How expensive are your trips? What about the chance for illness or accidental injury? Are you certain that you’ll be going on your trip, or is there the chance that you’ll need to cancel?

Multi-trip travel insurance is inherently limited due to its length of coverage. If your trip has a lot of components and opportunities for things to go awry, you may want to consider instead purchasing a single-trip policy.

As we noted above, these types of policies have a much broader area of coverage. This includes options such as cancel for any reason insurance and trip delay insurance.

Do you have any pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are those that you have had prior to purchasing insurance. Let’s say that you tore your hamstring last year. After completing a round of physical therapy, you’re doing pretty well, though sometimes you still struggle with pain.

Some annual travel insurance policies will cover acute flare-ups of pre-existing conditions. This means that if your sore hamstring is suddenly aggravated to the point of needing crutches, they will cover the cost of that care.

Some policies do not; they will have a specific clause excluding any pre-existing conditions from your medical care.

» Learn more: What to know about travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

Does your credit card provide travel insurance?

Did you know that many travel credit cards provide complimentary travel insurance? If you book and pay for your trip using your card, you may be eligible for this insurance.

Examples of travel insurance offered by credit cards include:

Rental car insurance.

Emergency medical insurance.

Emergency evacuation insurance.

Trip cancellation insurance.

Trip delay insurance.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

Not all credit card travel insurance coverages are equal; if this is something you’re relying on, you’ll want to carefully examine the policies of the credit card you’re using and the types of coverage it offers.

Cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer some of the best complimentary travel insurance on the market. Other cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express , also offer a wide range of coverage while you’re traveling. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Yearly travel insurance may be a good option for you if you’re often on the road, but keep in mind that there are limits to the product.

For example, many travel insurance plans limit the amount of time you can spend on each trip. This is true for policy provider Heymondo, whose 12-month plan stipulates that your trip duration be less than 60 days.

Other plans may only apply outside the United States. This is the case for GeoBlue , whose travel medical insurance doesn’t cover you when you’re home.

Yes. Depending on the provider, you can purchase multi-trip or an annual travel insurance plan.

The biggest difference with annual travel insurance is it doesn't have as many covered benefits as the individual single-trip plans, as one of the main focuses of annual travel insurance is medical emergencies.

To determine which plan type is right for you, ask yourself questions such as:

How often are you traveling?

Are the trips expensive?

Do you have any credit cards with travel insurance coverage ?

Although cheaper, multi-trip or annual travel insurance are policies that cover multiple trips over a specific time frame. Policies have less coverage than single-trip policies. Generally, single-trip policies have baggage loss or rental car insurance, whereas annual travel insurance does not.

The average cost of a travel insurance policy varies on the coverage provided and the length of the trip. It's typically a percentage of your overall trip cost. On the high end, you can estimate up to 10% of your trip expenses. On the low-to-mid scale, you can estimate 4-8% of your anticipated trip costs.

Yes, you can buy annual or multi-trip travel insurance policies, which can be a good option for extensive trips. Note that these plans differ from single-trip policies in terms of coverage. Annual plans tend to focus on medical emergencies, whereas individual plans offer more robust travel-related coverages (such as baggage or trip delay).

Multi-trip insurance covers an unlimited number of trips during your coverage period. However, the length of time for your period is going to depend on your specific policy. Many multi-trip plans can be purchased as annual travel insurance, which will cover you up to 365 days.

It’s possible to cancel any insurance policy that you buy, but only during specific periods. This is called the "lookback" or review period. In most states, the lookback period lasts up to 15 days, during which time you can cancel your insurance without penalty.

Do you have any

credit cards with travel insurance coverage

Multi-trip travel insurance can be a cheap, affordable way to make sure you’re covered if you’re a frequent traveler. However, you’ll also want to understand the limitations of year-long policies. Although they can be less expensive than policies that cover a single trip, you can also expect to have less coverage.

Annual travel policies tend to focus more on medical care and — in limited circumstances — trip cancellation or trip interruption. However, if your needs include the ability to cancel your trip for any reason, or extras such as baggage insurance, you may want to consider purchasing a single-trip policy instead.

Finally, if you hold a travel credit card, odds are good that it comes with some form of travel insurance. Check out its guide to benefits to see what types of coverage your card offers, whether it’s emergency medical evacuation or trip delay reimbursement.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

post office annual travel insurance

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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

GeoBlue Trekker Choice

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If you take multiple trips every year, insuring each one can be a hassle. There are forms to fill out, comparison shopping over and over again, and then remembering the policy documents for each specific trip. And then there’s the risk you might forget to take out travel insurance for one of your trips.

Plus, those costs add up. There must be a better way.

Enter annual travel insurance. Also known as multi-trip travel insurance, taking out an annual policy covers you for a whole year of travel. Not only is it simpler, it may be cheaper than taking out multiple single-trip policies. But is it right for you?

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t exactly the same as the trip insurance you’d buy for a weeklong holiday with your family. Here are the best annual travel insurance policies, what they do and don’t cover, and how to decide whether taking out a yearly policy might be right for you.

The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

GeoBlue Travel Insurance annual plan comparison chart

GeoBlue offers 2 Trekker plans for annual coverage, which are unique in several ways. These plans cover preexisting conditions, COVID-19, and all travel outside the U.S.

However, they don’t cover any trips inside the U.S. or provide any coverage for canceled, delayed, or interrupted trips. Instead, these are travel medical insurance plans . With the GeoBlue Trekker Choice plan , you’ll get higher maximum payouts in all categories and pay a lower deductible ($100). However, note that this is still secondary coverage .

You’ll get unlimited access to telemedicine and coverage for trips up to 70 days in length . Additionally, coverage is available up to age 95, which isn’t offered on most other policies.

The GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan offers the same pros and cons as the Choice plan. The main differences are the lower maximum payout values and the higher deductible ($200 instead of $100). You also won’t get the Choice plan’s lost baggage and personal effects coverage, which can provide up to $500 per trip. Again, this secondary medical insurance policy is only valid on trips outside the U.S.

Trawick International Safe Travels Annual Basic page banner

Trawick International offers 2 annual plans, and the Safe Travels Annual Basic plan is more economical. You’ll have coverage for everything you expect in a trip insurance policy , such as 100% coverage for trip cancellation or interruption (up to a $2,500 annual maximum) and coverage for delays, lost luggage, delayed luggage, and even medical expenses. To make up for the lower cost of the plan, coverage limits are lower than what you’ll find elsewhere . However, if you want peace of mind while traveling, you can get it for a year and cover trips up to 30 days in length.

While Trawick International’s Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan offers higher maximum coverage limits than the Basic plan, its maximum payouts for medical and evacuation benefits are lower than what you’ll find with competitors . Where this plan shines is in the coverage for change fees, lost deposits on tours, and coverage for lost items if an airline misplaces your luggage.

You’ll be covered for up to $300 per trip for prepaid excursions, up to 100% of your trip cost (with an annual maximum of $5,000) for trip cancellations or interruptions, and up to $150 per item and $750 per trip for personal effects. After signing up for a plan, you’ll also get a 10-day free look period.

If you want an annual plan with a low price tag , this could be what you’re looking for. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic plan covers you for unlimited trips up to 45 days each over the course of a year. Coverage includes emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss and delays, travel delays, rental car theft and damage, and travel accident coverage.

However, there’s a fair list of exclusions from this plan . That includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connections, and change fees. As the name implies, you’ll get basic coverage at a basic price.

Allianz AllTrips annual plan options

The Allianz Travel AllTrips Prime option covers 365 days of trips, though the maximum trip length is just 45 days. While you’ll get coverage for all the standard travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, delays, and baggage mishaps, there are limits you should know about with this plan.

The travel accident coverage, which applies to death or the loss of a limb, maxes out at $25,000 per trip, baggage delay maxes out at $200, and baggage loss or damage maxes out at $1,000. The maximum coverage for emergency medical is $20,000, and costs can exceed that quickly in a true emergency.

However, this is a decent option if you want a fair amount of coverage across numerous categories without a high price tag.

For those worried about expensive business equipment or losing points and miles, this plan has you covered. On top of higher maximum payouts in categories such as trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, or travel delays, you’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage, change fee coverage, and reimbursement for renting business equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during a trip.

Moreover, you can be reimbursed up to $500 to cover fees for reinstating your points and miles if a covered trip is canceled or interrupted. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Executive plan also provides coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy at least 14 days before the first trip.

Allianz AllTrips Premier start quote page

Allianz also has a customizable AllTrips Premier plan , allowing you to choose between several payout tiers for trip cancellation and interruption. You’ll pay more when choosing higher maximums, but this allows you to choose exactly what you want in coverage and not pay for more than you need. Another positive is coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy your policy at least 14 days before your first trip.

You’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage , $500,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage, $50,000 of emergency medical, and coverage for travel delay expenses after a delay of 6 hours or more. The baggage delay coverage is up to $2,000, but it requires a delay of 12 or more hours. The maximum trip length allowed is 90 days.

The AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Insurance plan isn’t available to Washington state residents. Still, it provides coverage for trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, delayed baggage, and missed connections, as well as both medical and security evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel medical expenses. However, the coverage limit for dental is just $500, and the maximum coverage for travel medical expenses is just $50,000. Those are lower limits than other plans. Additionally, trip cancellation isn’t included.

However, Travel Guard has some strengths. Trip delay coverage applies for up to 10 days and requires a delay of just 5 hours, and the missed connection benefit applies after just 3 hours. You get a “free look” period of up to 15 days to cancel for a refund, so long as you haven’t started your trip or filed a claim. Maximum coverage for any particular trip is 90 days.

ASI Affinity Voyager annual plan

USI Affinity’s Voyager plan has a Silver and Gold option , and pricing is easy to determine from the chart. Simply find your age bracket and the associated cost. The key differences between the plans are in the higher maximum payouts for nearly every coverage type with the Gold plan, other than emergency dental and accidental death and dismemberment. However, the Gold plan also includes coverage types the Silver plan doesn’t: political and natural disaster evacuation, airline ticket change fees, and trip interruption. However, trip cancellation isn’t included with either plan .

The maximum trip length is 90 days, and coverage for Silver and Gold plans lasts for 364 days. An unlimited number of international and domestic trips are covered, and you’re covered for trips as little as 100 miles from home. That’s a lower requirement than most other plans (which tend to require 150 miles).

This plan is ideal for those who don’t live in the U.S., as other plans on this list are only available to U.S. residents and citizens. While the plan technically lasts for 364 days, Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip plan is customizable. It lets you choose a maximum trip length of 30, 45, or 60 days and include or exclude coverage for the U.S. Note U.S. citizens and residents cannot add coverage for inside the U.S.

Seven Corners also provides coverage for travelers aged 14 to 75 years, though maximum payouts decrease in some categories for those aged 65 and older. If you receive medical care in the U.S., Seven Corners will pay 90% of the first $5,000 of covered expenses and 100% of the cost afterward. You’re covered 100% outside the U.S. Note that coverage doesn’t apply to your home country (which includes the U.S. if you’re a citizen, even if you live in another country) and isn’t available in Antarctica, Cuba, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or Ukraine.

We considered another plan. Here’s why this annual travel insurance policy didn’t make our “best of” list.

IMG Patriot Multi-Trip International : For trips inside the U.S., you may be on the hook for 20% of your medical expenses if you visit a provider outside IMG’s PPO network. Additionally, the maximum trip length is 30 days, and coverage limits are quite low in multiple categories. These include $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and $10,000 for political evacuation, a maximum of $50 per item and $250 overall for lost luggage, a $100 maximum for dental treatment, and $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment 24/7 coverage.

Annual travel policy plans vary considerably. Most provide secondary medical insurance, so you may need to submit to your other coverage (home healthcare plan, credit card insurance provider, etc.) first and then submit to your travel insurance provider for any remaining expenses or deductibles. If you won’t have other coverage, you may want to look for a plan that provides primary health coverage instead. Also, understand that most plans provide reimbursement, so you would pay out of pocket for overseas hospital visits and then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement after the fact.

What Is Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual travel insurance covers you for many trips over the course of a year (or sometimes 364 days). Rather than needing to buy a travel insurance policy for each trip separately — which can add up — you can buy a single policy that covers all your trips for the next year. It’s important to understand the terms of these policies, though. Some may require buying coverage in advance, such as 14 days before your first trip, while that requirement normally doesn’t exist on single-trip travel insurance.

It’s also important to note which types of trips and destinations are covered by your policy — and which aren’t. Look for how far from home you must travel to be covered and whether domestic trips are included. Moreover, consider what benefits you’re looking for. These can vary from medical-only to all the bells and whistles, such as baggage delay and medical evacuation. Once you know the type of coverage you want, you can find a policy or policies that align with your needs, helping you narrow down your options to conduct a more effective comparison.

Annual travel insurance works as an umbrella policy, covering all your trips during the policy period. You don’t need to inform the policy provider about each trip’s start and stop dates or destinations. You simply buy a policy, and then you’re protected for every trip that meets the conditions while your policy is in effect. Some regions may be excluded from coverage, and you may be subject to a maximum trip length.

Trip length is an important element to pay attention to. Annual travel insurance doesn’t cover you for a year-long trip. It covers you for a year for many small trips within that time, typically up to 30 or 45 days per trip. If you’re looking for a plan to cover you during a year-long trip to another country, you should look for specialized plans for study abroad, mission work, or other situations that apply to you. Traveling full-time? You may need a policy geared toward digital nomads and backpackers.

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and determine that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than that of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want.

Considering that single-trip plans can sometimes be found for $10, yet an annual trip is likely to cost $150 or more per adult, you’d need 15 trips to justify the annual policy. However, that’s not really an apples-to-apples comparison, as a $10 basic travel insurance policy won’t provide as much coverage as you’re likely to find on even the most basic of annual policies.

It’s also not just about the number of trips you take but the types of trips, the complexity of the trips, and money at risk in nonrefundable costs. The more of these you foresee in your next year of travels, the more likely an annual plan would be good for you.

Couple reviewing financial documents

We already highlighted that annual policies don’t cover traveling nonstop for a year due to their restrictions on the maximum trip length. Annual travel insurance policies also restrict how far you must travel for coverage to kick in. Driving to the next town over may be a trip in your kids’ eyes, but it’s probably not far enough for your travel insurance to kick in.

While coverage varies by policy, you’ll typically have coverage for sickness, accidental death and dismemberment, lost or delayed luggage, trip cancellation, and possibly injuries during skiing or snowboarding. However, it’s important to read the terms of each policy because coverage maximums and inclusions vary widely. Some policies only provide medical coverage, while others offer robust coverage across the board.

Each policy specifies a maximum trip length. How trips longer than that are treated can vary. Most policies won’t cover any expenses related to a trip longer than the maximum trip length. Suppose you take a trip of 41 days on a policy with a maximum of 40 days. In that case, claims for delayed luggage or medical expenses may be rejected when the claim evaluator asks for your trip confirmation details.

However, GeoBlue covers the first 70 days of any particular trip. If something goes wrong during that time, you’re covered. You’re on your own for anything that happens on days 71 or beyond. Still, you’re covered on those first 70 days, despite taking a longer trip.

If you foresee long trips in the future, make sure you understand these rules.

For some travelers, yes, annual travel insurance is worth it. For others, it’s not.

Annual travel insurance is worth it when it costs less than what you’d pay to insure each trip individually. It’s also worth it if you think you might forget to purchase some of those individual policies throughout the year and would prefer to be done with them for another 365 days.

However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few trips a year, they’re mostly domestic, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses. If you’re traveling within the U.S. with your standard health insurance policy in effect and you have credit cards that provide trip insurance for delays or cancellations, that coverage may be sufficient.

Family playing at the beach with snorkel

Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the “starting at” costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest:

Yes and no. Using a credit card to pay for your trip can provide some built-in protections. However, you should be mindful of annual maximums on any policy. You may run into limitations such as a maximum of 2 claims per 12-month period or similar exclusions. If you take many trips, that could be an issue.

To better understand what is and isn’t covered, check out our complete guide to credit card insurance .

To choose the right policy, look beyond the cost alone. Rather than immediately choosing the cheapest policy, find the policy or policies that provide the coverage types you want with payout maximums that cover your travel plans for the next year — both confirmed bookings and likely plans.

Consider your coverage needs. Will you be carrying expensive items such as scuba equipment for a trip to the Galapagos or top-notch camera lenses for a bird-watching tour in Papua New Guinea? How many extreme sports will you participate in?

Conversely, how many “never heard of this airline before” flights will you take to get off the beaten path? These are flights where you may be worried about cancelations that lead to extra costs or a misplaced suitcase.

Consider the types of trips you’ll take and the up-front money at risk if something goes wrong or you get delayed, then look at which plans align with your travels. From there, choose the best plan that aligns best with your needs, which may or may not be the cheapest one.

As an annual travel policy holder myself, I promise you that having the right plan is important when you wind up in a remote hospital in Tanzania with malaria.

Woman Sick in Bed Sneezing

Annual travel insurance isn’t right for everyone. However, it makes sense for those who travel often and could save money by taking out a single policy instead of many separate policies. It also makes sense if you’d prefer to avoid filling out paperwork numerous times throughout the year for each trip.

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t great for those who tend to travel closer to home, don’t have major nonrefundable travel expenses, or need to customize coverage for each trip because their travels tend to vary. For example, you might need different coverage for a backcountry ski trip with friends versus a 2-hour drive with your family.

Look at what annual policies do and don’t cover and see if these align with your travel goals and needs. Then, consider the prices for the plans that align well with your situation. After taking an informed look, you should have a good idea of whether an annual policy is right for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is yearly travel insurance worth it.

For some, yes. For others, no. Annual travel insurance is worth it when the cost is less than what you’d pay to insure each trip separately or you would prefer to just sign up once then be done for a year. However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few, mostly domestic, trips a year where your healthcare coverage works, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of coverage you want. Annual travel insurance plan costs range from $140 to $500 for a single person. If you take a lot of trips, the cost can be worth it over the course of a year, but each person’s situation is different.

When should I take out annual travel insurance?

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than the cost of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want. Look at the different types of coverage and your expected costs for insuring each trip separately, then see if it makes sense for you.

Does annual travel insurance automatically renew?

It varies by policy provider, but some companies have an auto-renew feature to ensure you don’t have gaps in coverage.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

  • Allianz Travel Insurance
  • AIG Travel Guard

Buying travel insurance can be a smart move for most trips, but those who travel more than a few times a year should consider an annual travel insurance policy. Whether you regularly travel for business and/or take several vacations a year, annual travel insurance plans can help you get the coverage you need without having to price out and purchase protection every time you leave home.

If you find yourself in a situation where an annual plan makes sense, know that not all travel insurance companies offer this kind of coverage. You'll also want to consider the available annual travel insurance plans to see which options make sense for your travel style and the level of coverage you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Annual travel insurance plans all work in their own way, but the majority let travelers pay one annual premium for coverage that lasts for up to 364 days. These plans often limit the length of individual trips that are covered within the coverage year. Per-trip and annual limits on coverage can also apply.

In some cases, annual travel insurance plans require a deductible or coinsurance for certain types of coverage. If you're considering an annual travel insurance plan because you take multiple trips each year, make sure you read over the policy details and understand all coverage limits and trip limits that apply.

The cost of annual travel insurance typically varies based on factors like the age of the travelers applying, included benefits and coverage limits. You will want to shop around to compare plans across multiple providers using a platform like TravelInsurance.com or Squaremouth before you settle on a travel insurance policy.

To provide an example of the cost of annual travel insurance, U.S. News applied for a quote for two 40-year-old travelers seeking coverage for eight trips over a 12-month period. The Squaremouth travel insurance portal quoted policies with costs that range from $206 for the GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan to $610 for the Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan by Trawick International.

Annual travel insurance can be worth it if you take multiple trips each year and want to make sure you always have coverage in place. After all, the alternative to having a multitrip policy is buying a new travel insurance plan for every vacation you take. That's not always feasible for frequent travelers who are always jetting off somewhere new – often at the last minute.

Just keep in mind that annual travel insurance plans tend to come with lower coverage limits than plans for single trips, and that you'll pay a premium for coverage that comes with comprehensive benefits and high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.

  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
  • AIG Travel Guard: Best for Basic Coverage
  • Seven Corners: Best for Medical
  • GeoBlue: Best for Expats
  • Trawick International: Best for the Cost

Tailor your annual travel insurance plan to your needs

Most plans include coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, medical expenses, and more

Lowest-tier plans (AllTrips Basic and AllTrips Prime) come with no or relatively low coverage limits for trip cancellation

Most annual plans (except for AllTrips Premier) do not cover trips longer than 45 days

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to between $2,000 and $15,000
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to between $2,000 and $15,000
  • Emergency medical coverage worth up to $50,000
  • Up to $500,000 in emergency medical transportation coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for lost or damaged baggage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage delays
  • Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,500 ($300 daily limit)
  • Rental car coverage worth up to $45,000
  • Up to $50,000 in travel accident coverage
  • 24-hour hotline assistance and concierge service

Annual Travel Insurance Plan offers year-round travel insurance protection

Relatively high limits for medical expenses ($50,000) and emergency evacuation ($500,000)

No trip cancellation coverage and relatively low limit ($2,500) for trip interruption coverage

No coverage for preexisting medical conditions

  • Up to $2,500 in coverage for trip interruption
  • Up to $1,500 in coverage for trip delays of five-plus hours ($150 per day limit)
  • Missed connection coverage worth up to $500
  • Up to $2,500 in baggage insurance
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $1,000 for delays of at least 12 hours.
  • Up to $50,000 for emergency medical expenses ($500 for emergency dental sublimit)
  • Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Up to $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
  • Up to $100,000 in protection for security evacuation

Provides coverage worth up to $250,000 for emergency medical expenses

Tailor other included benefit levels to your needs

Coverage only applies to trips up to 40 days

Deductible up to $100 applies for emergency medical coverage and baggage and personal effects

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to between $2,500 and $10,000
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cancellation limit
  • Up to $2,000 in trip delay coverage ($200 daily limit)
  • Up to $1,000 in protection for missed connections
  • Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses ($50,000 in New Hampshire)
  • $750 dental sublimit within emergency medical coverage
  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($100 daily limit)
  • 24/7 travel assistance services

Get annual coverage for medical expenses and routine medical care

High limits for medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation

GeoBlue plans don't offer comprehensive travel protection

Deductibles and copays apply

  • Ambulatory and therapeutic services
  • Inpatient hospital services
  • Emergency medical services
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Preventive and primary care

Choose among three tiers of annual travel protection

Option for basic protection with affordable premiums

No coverage for preexisting conditions

Maximum trip duration of 30 days per trip

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $2,500 maximum per year
  • Trip interruption coverage up to $2,500 maximum per year
  • $200 per trip for trip delays (up to $100 per day for delays of 12 hours or longer)
  • Up to $500 in coverage per trip for baggage and personal effects
  • Baggage delay coverage up to $100 per trip
  • Up to $10,000 for emergency medical expenses per trip
  • Up to $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage per trip
  • Up to $10,000 in AD&D coverage
  • 24-hour travel assistance services

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel expert who has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world. On a personal level, her family uses an annual travel insurance policy from Allianz. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – within their family media business and travel agency .

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

I'm a financial planner, and I'd recommend annual travel insurance to anyone who loves to travel abroad

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

  • Frequent and spontaneous travelers will likely benefit from annual travel insurance policies.
  • Your credit card may come with some travel protections, but it may not be enough.
  • When choosing a policy, look at what it covers, not just what's cheapest.

Insider Today

Summer is just a few months away — and if you're planning a vacation this year, the last thing you want is an unexpected event to derail your plans (and cost you hundreds).

Flights get delayed or canceled constantly. Luggage disappears into the ether. Medical emergencies occur in remote destinations. Yet many jetsetters simply cross their fingers and hope for the best rather than prepare for the worst.

That's why, as a financial planner, I believe it's crucial to consider protecting your trips with the right insurance coverage. One option often overlooked, particularly by frequent travelers, is annual travel insurance .

Annual travel insurance covers all your trips within 365 days. Unlike stand-alone travel insurance, which only covers you for a specific trip, an annual policy covers any trips you take within the year.

That's why I tell clients who travel frequently that an annual policy is a good choice for their needs. By opting for an annual plan, you don't have to go through the hassle of booking multiple policies and potentially save money compared to purchasing individual trip coverage. Here's how it works.

What to look for in a policy

While specifics may vary depending on the insurer and plan tier, most include the following key benefits:

  • Trip cancellations or interruptions: You may be able to get reimbursed for expenses (even nonrefundable ones!) related to an illness, injury, or natural disaster that forced you to cancel or cut your trip short.
  • Emergency medical and dental care: If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, your insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatment.
  • Emergency evacuation: In a serious medical emergency or security situation, your policy will arrange and pay for transportation to a hospital or back to your home country.
  • Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage: If your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged during your trip, you can get financial coverage for essential items while you wait for your stuff to be recovered or replaced.
  • Trip delays and missed connections: When your travel plans are disrupted due to issues like mechanical problems or severe weather, you may get reimbursement for additional expenses incurred, like meals, lodging, and transportation.

It's important to note that annual travel insurance plans have limitations. Certain high-risk activities, pre-existing medical conditions, and travel to specific regions may be restricted or require additional coverage.

Some travelers may assume that their credit card's built-in travel protections are enough. While many travel rewards credit cards offer perks like rental car insurance, trip cancellation, and baggage reimbursement, the coverage limits are often much lower than a dedicated annual travel insurance plan.

Credit card coverage for emergency medical care is also particularly limited — capped at a few thousand dollars — which may not be enough in the face of a major international medical emergency.

How much travel justifies an annual plan?

For the occasional traveler who takes one or two trips a year, single-trip policies will probably work for you. But if you fall into any of these buckets, you may want to consider an annual policy:

  • Regular international travelers (three or more trips abroad yearly)
  • Road warriors frequently away for work
  • Adventurers engaging in high-risk activities like heli-skiing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing
  • Cruisers and tour group travelers
  • Students or retirees taking extended trips throughout the year
  • Those visiting developing countries with limited medical care

Annual plans cover all of your trips within a 365-day period after purchasing. They're basically a bundle of multiple policies into one package deal. This means you only have to buy one policy to manage, locking in your coverage for the year.

How to decide if an annual policy makes sense for you

Start by reviewing your travel plans this year — and your risk tolerance. Calculate how much buying individual travel insurance policies would cost you over the next year and compare it to the price of an annual plan.

Don't just focus on the premium — carefully evaluate coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles to ensure you have enough protection for your needs.

An annual policy gives you the flexibility to take spontaneous trips without the hassle of obtaining last-minute insurance. More importantly, it provides peace of mind, knowing that you're covered for a wide range of travel disruptions and emergencies.

As the busy summer travel season ramps up, definitely explore protecting your trips with insurance, especially if you're jetting off internationally. Spending hours on the phone trying to rebook canceled flights or worrying about affording an overseas medical emergency is no way to vacation.

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Region: Europe Full Name: Russian Federation Capital City: Moscow Language Spoken: Russian, many minority languages

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Geographic data

60 00 N, 100 00 E

Elevation Extremes

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m

Land boundaries

total: 20,096.5 km border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,340 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 280.5 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 232 km, Ukraine 1,576 km

Natural hazards

permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia

Natural resources

wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources

arable land: 7.17% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.72% (2005)

Environmental current issues

air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides

Northern & Central European Russia: The most varied climate; mildest areas are along the Baltic coast. Summer sunshine may be nine hours a day, but winters can be very cold. Siberia: Very cold winters, but summers can be pleasant, although they tend to be short and wet. There is considerable seasonal temperature variation. Southern European Russia: Winter is shorter than in the north. Steppes (in the southeast) have hot, dry summers and very cold winters. The north and northeastern Black Sea has mild winters, but heavy rainfall all the year round.

Time difference

time difference: UTC+3 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Russia is divided into eleven time zones

142,893,540 (July 2006 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 14.2% (male 10,441,151/female 9,921,102) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 49,271,698/female 52,679,463) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 6,500,814/female 14,079,312) (2006 est.)

total: 38.4 years male: 35.2 years female: 41.3 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.37% (2006 est.)

9.95 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

14.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Net migration rate

1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 67.08 years male: 60.45 years female: 74.1 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.28 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Business Practices

Business meetings are typically formal and Russian businessmen largely stick to numerous formalities. For example, to address a Russian by his first name, unless invited to do so, may be considered an insult. If the guest speaks Russian, they should be sure to use the vy (formal) form, not the ty (informal) form. Address Russians with their titles and their last names: "Chairman Mironov", "General Designer Medvedov". Many fledgling Russian entrepreneurs speak at least some English, but if business is outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg, or if you are dealing with large factories or institutes, it may be more difficult to find English speakers. At the end of a formal visit, Russians like to exchange gifts. Usually, a company manager may present a pin or pen with a company logo. The foreign visitor should also bring a small gift -- pens, pins, cups, or plates with company logos are probably the best. Office hours are 0900-1800 Monday to Friday.

Recent police statistics for Moscow report an overall decline in crime, though drug-related crimes, murders, and kidnappings have increased, and street crime, sometimes violent, remains a continuing problem. Nevertheless, crimes against foreigners is a problem, especially in major cities. Pickpocketings, assaults, and robberies occur frequently and at any time or place. The most vulnerable areas include underground walkways and the subway, overnight trains, train stations, airports, markets, tourist attractions, restaurants, hotel rooms, and residences, even when locked or occupied. Groups of children are known to assault and rob foreigners on city streets or underground walkways. Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around nightclubs or bars, or on their way home. Robberies may occur in taxis shared with strangers. Travelers have found it safer to travel in groups organized by reputable tour agencies. Thieves, known as 'banditry' in Russian also frequently target hotel rooms. The Ukraina hotel is the site of the most frequent reported crimes. The hotel administration has established a consistent pattern of allowing thieves free access and failing to cooperate in investigating complaints. One foreigner awoke on his first night in Moscow to find two thieves letting themselves into his room with a passkey. When they started to carry out his still packed luggage he confronted them and received a three-inch gash across his throat and two slit nostrils for his trouble. Instead of cooperating with the police, the hotel administration slandered the victim, saying he was entertaining prostitutes in his room. There have been sporadic attacks on foreigners by "skinhead" groups in some Russian urban centers. Many of these attacks appear to target university students, particularly those of Asian and African origin. Travelers are urged to exercise caution in areas frequented by "skinhead" groups and wherever large groups have gathered. Demonstrations occur frequently in Moscow and other cities. While these demonstrations have been peaceful and controlled, it is best to avoid such gatherings. Extortion and corruption are common in the business environment. Organized criminal groups target foreign businesses in many cities and have been known to demand protection money under threat of serious violence. Many Western firms hire security services, which have improved their overall security, although this is no guarantee. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable. Since the mid-1990's, several foreign business people have been attacked, kidnapped, and even killed. Extortion attempts should be reported to the Russian authorities and the businessperson's embassy or consulate. Business people who utilize local services for banking, security and medical treatment should limit the information provided to the minimum required, as reports have been received indicating that some individuals working in these sectors have passed confidential credit/financial, banking and medical information to organized crime gangs who use it to make extortion threats against foreigners.

While tourist facilities exist in Moscow and some other large cities, they are not developed in most of Russia and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novgorod, Samara, Sochi and Vladivostok have western-style hotels, though priced at a premium compared with other major cities of the world. Outside the major cities, traditional Russian hotels often provide fairly modest accommodations, again for surprisingly high prices. It is possible to find remarkably well- appointed hotels in relatively small communities; it is also possible to find yourself temporarily without water or electricity when visiting other regions of Russia. As previously discussed, we recommend against staying at the Ukraina as foreigners staying there have often been victims of hotel theft.

Communications

Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 7. When dialing the Russian Federation from abroad, the 0 of the area code must not be omitted. Outgoing international code: 810. The Russian telecommunications system suffers from a lack of installed lines, outmoded switching equipment, and inadequate revenues to finance investment. The Ministry of Communications is dedicated to bringing the telecommunications infrastructure up to international norms as quickly as possible, and many multinational firms are vying for the opportunity to help in this undertaking. Although telephones, fax machines, and package delivery are available in Russia, they are often unreliable, especially outside the major cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.) and lengthy delays in service are not uncommon. International calls should be made through the hotel desk. Most international calls made from the cities of Moscow, St Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod can be dialed directly, but in smaller cities and towns it may be necessary to go through the international operator and these should be booked well in advance. Post office hours: 0900-1900.

Electricity

is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Food And Dining

The kind of food visitors will eat from day to day depends on which city they are visiting and the time of year. Breakfast is often similar to the Scandinavian, with cold meats, boiled eggs and bread served with Russian tea. For the midday and evening meal the food is often more traditional, again depending on the region. National specialties: ? Kasha (porridge) is a staple breakfast dish, made with milk and oats, buckwheat or semolina. ? Blini (small pancakes filled with caviar, fish, melted butter or sour cream). ? Ponchiki (hot sugared doughnuts). ? Pirozhky (fried rolls with different fillings, usually meat). ? Borshch, a beetroot soup served hot with sour cream. ? Pelmeni (meat dumplings). Things to know: Drinks are ordered by grams or by the bottle. City-center bars close around midnight. National drinks: ? Chai (sweet tea served without milk). ? Vodka (often flavored and colored with herbs and spices such as zubrovka (a kind of grass), ryabinovka (steeped with rowan-tree berries), starka (dark, smooth, aged vodka) and pertsovka (with hot pepper). Posolskaya, Stolichnaya and Rossiskaya are popular brands. ? Krushon (cold 'punch'; champagne, brandy and summer fruit are poured into a hollowed watermelon and chilled for several hours). ? Nalivka (sweet liqueur made with fruit or berries). ? Nastoika is a fortified wine made of herbs, leaves, flowers, fruit and roots of plants with medicinal properties. Tipping: Hotels in Moscow and other large cities include a 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Otherwise 10 per cent is customary. Nightlife Theater, circus, concert and variety performances are the main evening entertainments. Tickets are available in advance or from ticket booths immediately before performances. Visitors should note that prices for foreigners are usually much higher than those paid by Russian nationals. The repertoire of theaters provides a change of program almost nightly. In the course of one month, 30 different productions may be presented by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Company. Details of performances can be obtained on arrival. Visitors should apply to the service bureau of their hotel. All of these establishments are open 0600-2200.

Entry departure requirements

Visa immigration information Passports Valid 10-year passport required by all. Note Whilst in the country, visitors must carry ID at all times. Rather than carry original documents, it is advisable to carry photocopies of passports and visas, which will facilitate replacement should either be stolen. Visas Required by all except the following, provided arriving from their country of origin: (a) nationals of CIS countries (except nationals of Georgia and Turkmenistan who do require visas); (b) nationals of Cuba for stays of up to 30 days; (c) nationals of Mongolia, provided visiting for purposes of business and holding letter of invitation and return tickets, or traveling as tourists and holding prepaid hotel vouchers; (d) transit passengers who are continuing their journey within 24 hours without leaving the transit area. Types of visa and cost Tourist, Business, Private and Transit: US$52 , if visa is processed in minimum eight working days. (Processing within three to five days costs US$103 ; next-day processing US$137 ; same-day processing US$155 ; processing within one hour US$206 ) An additional US$17 is payable for a double-entry visa. Multiple-entry: US$172 , standard six working days' processing (same-day processing costs US$258 ). Express: US$206 All French passport holders younger than 18 years pay half rate. Note (a) Nationals of some countries may have to pay a Consular fee in addition to the visa processing charges listed. Enquire at the Consulate or Consular section of Embassy for a list of nationals and prices. (b) Transit visas are required by all except passengers remaining in the transit zone of Moscow Sheremetievo airport for less than 24 hours. Validity Dependent on purpose of trip. Transit visas are valid for up to three days. Tourist visas are valid for up to one month. Private visas are valid for up to 90 days. Application to Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information. Application requirements (a) Completed application form. (b) One recent passport-size photo stapled twice to upper-right corner of application form. (c) Passport valid for at least six months after visa expires, with at least two blank pages. (d) Fee, payable in cash only or postal orders for postal applications. (e) Postal applications must be accompanied by a large, pre-paid special delivery, self-addressed envelope. Tourist: (a)-(e) and, (f) Original tourist voucher (exchange order) issued by an authorized travel company stating their reference number, passenger names, dates of entry and exit, confirmation of payment, full itinerary, places to be visited, means of transportation and confirmation in Russian language. The voucher should be stamped and signed by an authorized person. (g) A standard tourist confirmation of acceptance (in the Russian language) issued by Russian tourist company or hotel accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia, showing tourist reference number given by Russian Foreign Minister and names of applicants, full itinerary and dates of entry/exit. Private (for visiting relations or friends): (a)-(e) and, (f) Official original letter of invitation from Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) An official letter of invitation from company or organization in the Russian Federation responsible for visit, certified by the local branch of Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. (g) An introductory letter from applicant's company stating purpose of visit, itinerary, dates of entry and exit, assuming financial responsibility for the visit and stating the companies to be visited. Transit: (a)-(d) and, (e) Original and copy of confirmed air ticket to and from the Russian Federation. Multiple-entry: (a)-(e) and, (f) Original and a copy of your confirmed air ticket to and from Russia. Note (a) Those who are traveling in groups (standard package tours, coach tours, international competitions and cruises) should submit all documentation to the tour operator making the travel arrangements. For visits to relatives/friends in the CIS, enquire at the Consulate for details of application procedures. (b) All travelers staying in the Russian Federation for longer than three days must register their visas through their hotel or sponsor. Private visitors must register with local police on arrival. For travel to Tajikistan, your invitation should be confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. (c) French nationals should also have their previous three months' bank statements, medical insurance and a copy of their tickets. (d) German nationals and all other Schengen country nationals, plus holders of Israeli or Estonian passports, should have travel insurance valid in the Russian Federation. (e) USA passport holders are required to fill out a special visa application form. (f) Since February 2003, every foreign citizen is given a migration card free of charge when they cross the Russian border. They must fill in their personal data, terms, purpose of visit and prospective place of residence and present the card when applying for registration within three days of arrival. The migration cards must be handed back upon departure. Working days required One to 12, depending on type of visa. Postal applications take at least eight to 12 days to process. Applications for visas may not be made earlier than three months before departure. Visas should be submitted 0900-1200; visas submitted 1500-1600 will be charged at the Express Visa fee. Exit visas Exit visas are required by all passengers who want to leave the country and are normally issued together with the entry visa. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by the representative of the Russian Federation which issued the visa, aliens should obtain it two days prior to departure at the latest from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel. Temporary residence Enquire at Embassy.

HIV entry requirements

Test required for anyone staying longer than 3 months

Departure tax

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the UK 13 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QX, UK Tel: (020) 7229 2666. Website: www.great-britain.mid.ru Consular section: 5 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QS, UK Tel: (020) 7229 8027. Website: https://www.rusemb.org.uk/consular/ Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (visa submission), 1400-1800.

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA

2650 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: (202) 298 5700. Website: www.russianembassy.org Consular section: 2641 Tunlaw Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: (202) 939 8907. Russian National Group in the USA 224 West 30th Street, Suite 701, New York, NY 10001. Tel: (646) 473 2233 or (877) 221 7120 (toll-free in USA). Website: www.russia-travel.com Because of the security situation in the North Caucasus, travelers are advised against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and to the eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai that border Chechnya and Dagestan. Travelers are advised against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area). There is a high threat from terrorism in Russia, including suicide bombings in public places. Attacks have occurred most frequently in Moscow and in the North Caucasus. Travelers should be vigilant at all times and also watch out for pickpockets and street crime, especially in large cities and in busy areas, eg railway concourses. This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisaions for the latest travel advice: British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Website: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia US Department of State Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/RussianFederation.html

Rouble (RUB) = 100 kopeks. Notes are in denominations of RUB1000, 500, 100, 50 and 10. Coins are in denominations of RUB10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is US$10,000 but sums greater than $3000 (or equivalent) must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Currency exchange

Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and authorized banks, and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form which is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Bureaux de change are numerous and easy to locate. Large shops and hotels offer their own exchange facilities. US Dollars in pristine condition are the easiest currency to exchange. It is illegal to settle accounts in hard currency and to change money unofficially.

Credit cards

Major European and international credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are accepted in the larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants, but cash (in Roubles) is preferred. American Express cards may be turned down, but cash (in Roubles) is preferred. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that might be available. ATM machines are widely available.

Travellers cheques

Cash is preferred. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

  • Health Information
  • Recent Disease Outbreaks
  • Hospital Database

Dental care

Avoid dental treatment as the standards of care and hygiene cannot be guaranteed.

Medication Availability

Little international brand medication is available outside of Moscow or St Petersburg. If medication is required in these cities use the larger, reputable pharmacies where you are less likely to find counterfeits

Blood supplies

Screening is inconsistent in Russia, therefore blood supplies should be considered as unsafe

Medical facilities

Medical care is usually far below Western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical supplies. Access to the few quality facilities that exist in major cities usually requires cash payment at Western rates upon admission.

General caution

Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood or rare meat. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed.

Specific concerns

Press reports indicate increased incidences of diphtheria and other communicable diseases, and CDC reports a severe shortage of vaccines to combat these diseases. Health officials state the situation is particularly bad in the cities of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Krasnodar and Vladivostok, as well as in the Far East, including Primorsky, Maritime and Saratov regions. Travelers to Russia should be up-to-date on routine and recommended immunizations and are reminded to strictly follow food and beverage precautions. AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured. According to CDC, breakdowns in water purification plants have led to significantly higher rates of gastroenteritis, hepatitis A and bacterial dysentery. Also, a report from the country's Environment Ministry states that half of the country's population must rely on substandard drinking water. The intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia has been linked to St. Petersburg's water supply - which should be considered contaminated under all circumstances. Hikers should take protective measures against ticks.

Immunization

Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population). Japanese Encephalitis: Consider vaccination if staying a month or more in the far eastern maritime areas south of Khabarovsk from July to September, especially if travel includes rural areas. Also consider if staying less than 30 days during that period and at high risk (in case of epidemic outbreak or extensive outdoor exposure in rural areas). Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available. Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type. Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.

Disease risk summary

Health conditions and sanitation in Moscow and other large cities, formerly on par with U.S. and European standards, have deteriorated in recent years. Conditions in smaller cities and villages are below the standards of industrialized countries. Insect-borne illness: Encephalitis (Japanese type) - occurs in southeast (human cases reported in recent past for first time in 30 years) Encephalitis (tick-borne) - occurs in southern Siberia and forested areas bordering southeastern Europe Hemorrhagic fever - occurs in southern Siberia Leishmaniasis (cutaneous) - occurs in southern areas Lyme disease - occurs Typhus (tick-borne) - occurs in eastern and central Siberia Food-borne and water-borne illness: Cholera - occurs Diphyllobothriasis (fish tapeworm) may be a problem in the Baltic Sea area Giardiasis - occurs in western areas Other hazards: Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported, and cases of polio still occur regularly. According to the CDC, a decrease in immunization practices since the late 1980s has led to significantly higher rates of several diseases, including diphtheria. While proof of diphtheria immunity is not required for international travel, the CDC recommends that travelers to areas where diphtheria is occurring should be immunized. Influenza risk extends from November to April. Rabies - occurs (especially among foxes in rural areas)

Entry requirements

AIDS: According to the Department of State and the Russian Consulate General in New York, a certificate showing an HIV negative status is required for any person applying for a visa for a stay of more than 3 months. The certificate must contain the applicant's passport data, proposed length of stay in Russia, blood test results for HIV infection, including date of the test, signature of the doctor conducting the test, medical examination results, diagnostic series, and seal of the hospital or medical organization. The certificate must be in both Russian and English and valid for 3 months from the date of medical examination and blood test. Foreign test results are accepted under certain conditions. Contact Russia's embassy for details. Diphtheria: A number of travelers to Russia have recently been informed that diphtheria vaccination is necessary for entering Moscow. Per Mr. Goryachev in the Russia Consulate in New York, an up-to-date diphtheria vaccination is recommended, although not required. Mr. Goryachev also provided the following toll-free number (from the U.S.) for an automated fax service regarding current visa requirements: (800) 634-4296. Callers must use a touch-tone phone to type in their own fax machine number.

Recent disease outbreaks

No recent disease outbreaks

Over recent years, the Kremlin has secured greater control over Russia's media. Press: The main dailies in the Russian Federation are Izvestiya (website: www.izvestia.ru) and Komsomolskaya Pravda (website: www.kp.ru), both published in Moscow. Newspapers and magazines are published in some 25 languages. Multilingual editions of the Moscow News (website: www.english.mn.ru) are available weekly. The Moscow Times (website: www.themoscowtimes.com) and St Petersburg Times are published in English. There is also a daily Internet newspaper, Russia Today (website: www.russiatoday.com). TV: Russia TV Channel is state-owned. NTV is a national netowork owned by the gas company, Gazprom. Center TV is a commerical network and Russia Today is an international English news channel. Other networks include Channel One and Ren TV. Radio: Radio Russia and Radio Mayak are state-run networks. Russkoye Radio and Moscow Echo are privately run. Voice of Russia operates programs in English and other languages.

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Manage your t ravel insurance policy online with ease. Get answers to common questions about our cover. And find out who to contact for emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, or for other types of enquiry.

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Common travel insurance questions

How do i make claim on my travel insurance.

The easiest way to make a claim on your Post Office Travel Insurance policy is online. Or, if you prefer to talk to one of our team, you can make a claim by phone

Our  how to make a claim page walks you through the steps for both routes.

Does Post Office Travel Insurance include cover for Covid-19?

All Post Office Travel Insurance include a level of cover for disruption resulting from Covid-19 in some circumstances. You can also add our trip disruption option , which provides additional cover for others set out in the policy wording.

For more information, visit our page on travel insurance covid-19 cover .

I’m on my trip and need emergency medical assistance. What should I do?

Call our emergency medical assistance line 0208 865 3074 any time, 24/7. If you’re calling from outside the UK, dial 44 first and leave out the first zero

How do I renew or cancel the renewal of my travel insurance policy?

When you buy an annual multi-trip policy, it can be renewed automatically or manually. Or, if you prefer it doesn’t renew, you can turn off the auto-renewal. Whatever your choice, we’ll write to you around 28 days before the date your current policy is due to end. We’ll detail any changes we’ll make should you wish to renew the policy. And we’ll give you a quote for the next year’s cover.

Automatic renewal:  if you buy an annual multi-trip policy, it will be set to renew automatically at the end of its term to keep you covered. If you prefer to opt out of this, you can do so then or any time during the policy. You can also turn auto renewal on later. Just call our contact centre. If you’ve declared medical conditions for anyone listed on the policy, it can’t be set to auto renew.

Manual renewal:  If you’ve opted out of auto renewal, it’s easy to set this up later or renew manually. You can do this in your online account. Or just call our contact centre. If you miss the renewal date, you can still take out a new policy later. You’ll need to start a new quote, as the renewal quote is only valid until your current policy’s expiry date. This may also mean a gap in your cover until the new policy starts.

Turning off auto-renewal:   If your existing policy is set to auto renew but you change your mind later, you can turn it off any time during the policy term. Again, just do this in your online account or call our contact centre. If you’re within the last 8 days of your policy, you’ll need to call our contact centre to do so. The later you do this the higher the chance a renewal payment will be taken by the bank. If this happens before your renewal cancellation is processed, we’ll make sure your payment is refunded.

My policy includes Flight Delay Assistance. How do I register a flight?

If you bought a Post Office Travel Insurance policy with our premier level of cover, it includes Flight Delay Assistance. You should have received an email from us with details of how to register for this service. If you can’t find the email, arranged your policy in a Post Office branch or don't have an email address, all the information you need will be in your policy confirmation pack. You can register your flights using our self-service centre. Log into your account

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Emergency medical assistance

If it’s a medical emergency, please call us immediately

Call: 0208 865 3074

Replace the first zero with 44 if calling from abroad

To make a claim

For non-emergency claims, here’s how to get in touch

Submit your claim or retrieve an existing claim online Claim here

Call us on (1): 0333 333 9702

  • Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm
  • Closed Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays

To make a gadget cover claim

If you have the gadget cover add-on and need claim against it, please contact our partner Taurus Insurance Services Limited directly 

Read the claims guide and complete a claim form

Make a claim online

Call Taurus on (1): +44 (0) 330 020 0024

Contact Tauris at: [email protected]

If you need to make a claim on the gadget add-on you can contact that team directly

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Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm

Send us a message

Complete and send our travel insurance online enquiry form

[email protected]

Call us on (1): 0330 123 3690

  • Saturday: 9am - 5.30pm

Complaints 

If you’re not happy we’d like to know so we can do our best to put things right. 

To complain about a claim or the assistance you received while travelling

Write to: Quality Department Collinson Insurance Services Limited Sussex House Perrymount Road Haywards Heath RH16 1DN

To complain about a gadget add-on claim

To send a complaint about making a claim on these policies

Write to: [email protected]

Write to: Taurus Insurance Services Ltd. Customer Relations Officer Taurus Insurance Services Limited Suite 2209-2217 Eurotowers Europort Road Gibraltar

For all complaints

Please quote the claim number in all correspondence.

Sales and application complaints

For complaints about sales literature, policy information, how your policy was sold to you on the phone or online, or the Medical Screening Service process.

Call us on (1): 0330 123 1382

Write to us at: [email protected]

Write to us at: Post Office Travel Insurance 67 Hope Street Glasgow G2 3AE

Please head any written correspondence 'COMPLAINT' and include copies of supporting material.

Taking complaints further

If you’re not satisfied with how we’ve handled your complaint, you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Contact the Financial Ombudsman Service

Please make sure you’ve been through our own complaints procedure first. You should contact the ombudsmen within six months of our final decision. 

Write to: Financial Ombudsman Service Exchange Tower  Harbour Exchange Square E14 9SR London

Call (1): 0800 023 4567

or 0300 1239123

  • Monday to Friday: 8am - 5pm
  • Saturday: 9am - 1pm
  • Closed Sunday and bank holidays

Write to: [email protected]

Visit the Financial Ombudsman Service site:

Complaints data

(1) Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your fixed line or mobile and may be included in your call package dependent on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.

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    90 days for those aged between 71 and 75. 31 days for those aged 76 years and above. Protect your holidays all year round with award-winning Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance from Post Office®. Covid-19 cover included. Get a quote today!

  2. Post Office travel insurance review

    Post Office travel insurance customer reviews. The Post Office travel insurance has a rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars from just 105 reviews on the customer review site Trustpilot. Customers detailed problems with claims being paid and refunds for policy cancellations. As with all travel insurance policies, it is important to do your research and ...

  3. Post Office travel insurance review

    The latest data from the Financial Conduct Authority show that Post Office's underwriter - Astrenska - paid out 85-90% of claims made on annual European policies in 2022. This was above the average rate of 76%. It accepted 85-90% of claims made on annual worldwide policies - above the average of 82%. It paid 80-85% of claims made on single trip ...

  4. Compare Travel Insurance

    Compare the three main types of Post Office Travel Insurance. Single-trip Travel Insurance: This is a policy covering you for one, uninterrupted trip that begins and ends in the UK. The maximum trip duration can range from 31 days to 365 days dependant on your age. Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance:

  5. Worldwide Travel Insurance

    Post Office offers worldwide travel insurance for single trip or annual multi-trip holidays in over 150 countries. It covers medical treatment, repatriation, luggage, documents and more. It also provides Ehic and Ghic alternatives for EU and non-EU travellers.

  6. All you need to know about annual travel insurance policies

    My policy also offers a $3,000 annual trip cancellation benefit, $20,000 in emergency medical coverage, $100,000 in emergency transportation (including medevac services), $45,000 in rental car theft and damage protection, $25,000 in travel accident coverage and $1,000 for essentials in the event of baggage loss or damage, along with a handful ...

  7. Post Office Travel Insurance Review

    The Post Office also won Best Travel Insurance Provider at the British Travel Awards in 2022 and at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Its Premier policies are Defaqto 5-star rated ...

  8. Post Office Travel Insurance: A Getting Started Guide from the Experts!

    The single trip insurance will provide coverage depending on your age when you obtain your insurance policy. The Post Office website states that those who are below 71 will be covered 365 days per trip. Meanwhile, those who are 71-75 will be covered 90 days and individuals 76-85 are only covered for 31 days. As the name implies, a single trip ...

  9. 4 Best Annual Travel Insurance Options in 2024

    Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus:Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. No annual fee:Bank of America ...

  10. PDF Single Trip & Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

    Company: Post Office Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited. Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Product: Post Office Premier Cover

  11. Travel Insurance

    Post Office Travel Insurance can cover you for a single trip of up to 365 days(2), or multiple trips in a single year. This applies to trips taken anywhere in the UK and abroad too. ... Our annual multi-trip travel insurance can cover you for UK trips too. The minimum requirements are one night's pre-booked and paid accommodation. Or your ...

  12. The Best Annual Travel Insurance Of 2024

    The cost of a multi-trip policy will primarily depend on the coverage levels included and your age. Travelers. Average annual travel insurance cost. Two travelers age 30. $554. One traveler age 40 ...

  13. How Annual (Multi-Trip) Travel Insurance Works

    2. Allianz. For our sample itinerary, Allianz offered three different annual travel insurance plans with varying levels of coverage — Executive, Prime and Basic. The cheapest rang in at $138 for ...

  14. The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies in 2023

    Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the "starting at" costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest: Policy Name. Starting Price. Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic Plan. $138.

  15. The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

    To provide an example of the cost of annual travel insurance, U.S. News applied for a quote for two 40-year-old travelers seeking coverage for eight trips over a 12-month period.

  16. PDF Single Trip, Backpacker & Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

    Company: Post Office Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited. Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Product: Post Office Economy Cover

  17. I'm a financial planner, and I'd recommend annual travel insurance to

    That's why, as a financial planner, I believe it's crucial to consider protecting your trips with the right insurance coverage. One option often overlooked, particularly by frequent travelers, is ...

  18. Direct Travel Insurance to Russia and Country Guides

    Tel: (646) 473 2233 or (877) 221 7120 (toll-free in USA). Website: www.russia-travel.com. Because of the security situation in the North Caucasus, travelers are advised against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and to the eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai that border Chechnya and Dagestan.

  19. Travel Insurance

    For emergency assistance, to make a claim, complaint or manage your policy online: Visit our travel insurance support page. For questions about the coronavirus cover on our policies: Visit our travel insurance Covid-19 FAQs page. (1) Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your ...

  20. Travel Insurance

    All Post Office Travel Insurance include a level of cover for disruption resulting from Covid-19 in some circumstances. You can also add our trip disruption option, which provides additional cover for others set out in the policy wording. For more information, visit our page on travel insurance covid-19 cover.

  21. Elektrostal Map

    Elektrostal is a city in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 58 kilometers east of Moscow. Elektrostal has about 158,000 residents. Mapcarta, the open map.

  22. PDF Single Trip & Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

    Company: Post Office Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited. Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Product: Post Office Standard Cover

  23. Travel insurance for backpackers

    Travel insurance often costs 4% to 10% of your trip's total price. So if your backpacking adventure will run you $4,000, the total cost of insurance may be $160 to $400.

  24. Rabochaya ulitsa, 35А, Elektrostal

    Get directions to Rabochaya ulitsa, 35А and view details like the building's postal code, description, photos, and reviews on each business in the building

  25. Pobedy Street, 22к1, Elektrostal

    Pobedy Street, 22к1, Elektrostal, Moscow Region, 144007. Coordinates:. 55.770461, 38.445550