Glossary of terms

Abandonment

If you have to return home earlier than planned, then payment for accommodation and tickets may be claimable under your travel insurance in certain circumstances.

Annual multi-trip insurance

During the period of insurance the policy will provide cover for any number of trips. The maximum number of days that you can travel in any one policy year is 120 days. The maximum number of days per trip for a Worldwide including U.S.A., Canada and all Caribbean Islands policy is 45 days.

EHIC

European Health Insurance Card.

Excess

The amount you have to pay towards any claim. This applies to each claim, if applicable, and one excess covers all people on the policy.

FCDO

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

FCA

Financial Conduct Authority.

GHIC

Global Health Insurance Card.

Medical Assistance Service

If you need medical help whilst abroad this service is available 24 hours a day. It is a condition of the policy that you contact them immediately before you enter a hospital (if this is not possible then within 24 hours). An experienced co-ordinator will deal with your enquiry and make sure that, where necessary, hospitals are contacted, medical fees are guaranteed and medical advisers are consulted.

Medical screening

This is a series of questions about your medical health, which determines the cover we can offer you.

Medical warranty

This is a declaration that each insured person must guarantee that they have told us of any medical conditions that may affect their insurance.

Period of insurance

Cover will only apply for trips which begin after the effective date of your policy.

Policy limits

Each section of your policy has a limit on the amount we will pay under that section. Some sections also include other specific limits, for example, for any one item or limits for valuables in total. Check your policy cover is adequate if you want to take expensive items away with you.

Pre-existing medical condition

If you have taken any medication, or received treatment for any condition(s) by a doctor or at a hospital or nursing home.

Reciprocal health agreements

If you are travelling to countries in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland we strongly recommend that you take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), with you. This will allow you to benefit from the reciprocal health arrangements which exist in these countries. If the costs of a medical claim are reduced by the use of the EHIC the excess under the ‘Medical and associated expenses’ section will be reduced to Nil.

Regions (annual policies only)

See Destinations and trip length for details.

Saga Travel Assistance

Saga Travel Assistance is a helpline service that helps you sort out all kinds of travel problems before you go and while you are away, from information on the country you are visiting to advice and guidance on how to replace lost or stolen passports, luggage and travel documents.

Single trip insurance

During the period of insurance the policy will provide cover for the destinations listed on your policy schedule for a maximum of 120 days.