Business travel insurance

Travel insurance for business trips typically includes cover included in a standard travel insurance policy, such as:

• Medical treatment abroad – this can include emergency medical treatment costs to cover hospital charges and ambulance fees. It could also cover the costs of getting you home after medical treatment abroad. Remember to tell your insurance provider about any pre-existing medical conditions as not doing so could affect any claims you make

• Cancellation and curtailment – if you have to cancel or cut short your trip for a valid reason, such as illness or sudden bereavement

• Baggage and belongings – offers cover if your luggage or personal possessions are lost, damaged or stolen.

It depends on your business needs. If you regularly work abroad, it’s worth considering a multi-trip travel insurance policy offering cover for a whole year. If you’re only travelling once or twice a year, single-trip policies might be more cost-effective.

Where you travel to is just as important. If your business only operates within Europe, you may save money by finding a policy that’s limited to European travel. But if you travel globally, a worldwide commercial travel insurance policy should cover you. Be sure to check the list of destinations covered, as some policies may exclude specific countries.

Policies vary but travel insurance for business typically excludes:

• Personal valuables – while your work equipment might be covered, your personal belongings may not be. You can normally add on cover for your luggage if it’s not included

• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions

• Claims resulting from drug taking or alcohol intoxication

• High-risk activities – if you’ll be taking part in extreme sports, you may need to add on extra cover

• Travel to destinations against FCDO advice.

This varies among providers and policy types. Standard business travel insurance will cover you for a business trip but might not offer cover if you’re working abroad for a long period.

Read the policy wording carefully and compare providers to find the right cover for your needs. Depending on your plans and situation, you might need specialist travel insurance for work abroad.

Be aware that if you’re planning on working in a destination against current FCDO advice, then your travel insurance won’t cover you.

The claims process varies among providers but, typically, you’ll need to:

1. If there has been a crime, report it to the relevant local authorities as soon as possible. You may have a 24-hour deadline – and get a copy of the police report

2. Speak to your insurance provider as soon as you can. It'll have a 24/7 overseas emergency helpline. You’ll often need to consult your provider before receiving any medical treatment. Otherwise, you’ll usually have up to 31 days to claim

3. Keep any evidence that supports your claim. For example, police reports, receipts and boarding passes.

Find out more about making a travel insurance claim

Yes, you can use your GHIC, or a valid EHIC, if you’re travelling to Europe for business or pleasure. This will give you access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries.

However, a GHIC won’t cover private medical treatment, repatriation costs or non-medical issues like lost baggage or cancellations, so you’ll still need travel insurance.

Some credit card providers and packaged bank accounts include travel insurance. However, it’s likely to only cover leisure travel and holidays, so might not be suitable for business travel.

You may find some business credit cards offer travel insurance specifically for business trips. Just remember to check the policy wording carefully – it may only offer basic cover, which might not be enough for your needs.

If you’ve booked through a travel company, you should check with them. ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) usually only cover disruptions to package holidays, although some ABTA members may have protection for accommodation-only bookings.

Some flight-only purchases might be covered by the ATOL protection scheme, but not if they’ve been booked directly through the airline.