Spain Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance for Spain?

If you’re planning a holiday to Spain, you should always make sure you have travel insurance from the day you book. That way, you’ll be protected against many common travel problems while on your trip. For instance, travel insurance can cover you against illness, accidents, lost baggage, and theft while you’re on your Spanish getaway.

Travel insurance also means you’ll be able to reclaim your costs if you have to cancel or cut short your trip in an emergency. Most of all, travel insurance means you can relax and enjoy your holiday without any worry.

What type of travel insurance do I need for Spain?

Because Spain is an EU country, your trip will be covered by any European travel insurance policy. However, there are many different types of insurance that might suit your holiday. When you find the best travel insurance deals through MoneySuperMarket, you’ll be able to tailor your insurance to your needs. Some categories to look out for include:

• Single-trip insurance: If you only want to cover your trip to Spain single trip cover offers cover from the moment you book your trip until the date you return.

• Annual multi-trip insurance: If you take two or more holidays a year, it might save money to buy an insurance policy for the entire year. You can choose from a policy that only covers trips within Europe, or policies that will cover you across the world. If you’re planning to visit the USA, Canada, or the Caribbean, you’ll need to select a worldwide policy that covers these countries.

• Backpackers’ insurance: If you’re visiting Spain as part of a backpacking holiday, you can find great deals on backpackers’ insurance, which can cover you for longer trips or if you’ll be visiting several different countries.

What should my Spain travel insurance include?

When you’re choosing a travel insurance deal for your Spanish holiday, watch out for these important features your cover should include:

• Medical cover, which most insurers will offer for costs up to £5 million. You can also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This is free and works in a similar way. The GHIC is useful to have, but for full peace of mind, it is best to get comprehensive travel cover.

• Cancellation cover, which pays out up to a certain amount if you need to cancel your holiday or cut it short due to an emergency.

• Repatriation, which covers the cost of bringing you back to the UK.

• Baggage cover, which insures you in case your luggage is lost during your trip or any of your possessions are stolen. If you’re taking any particularly expensive items – such as jewellery – on your holiday, make sure they’ll be included in your insurance.

• Gadget cover, which will help in case a possession such as a mobile phone or a GoPro is lost or stolen.

• Passport cover, which protects you against extra expenses if your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad.

You should also keep an eye on your policy’s excess. This is the amount you’ll have to pay yourself towards any claim. A higher excess usually means your premium is cheaper. However, you should make sure it’s an amount you’ll be able to pay.

The full details of your insurance will be in your policy document, so make sure you read it in full before you choose a travel insurance deal.

What won’t be covered in my Spanish travel insurance?

There are some features that may not be included in your insurance for your trip to Spain. These are known as exclusions. Make sure to know what you can and can’t claim before you make your holiday plans.

• Some insurance policies might not cover you for accidents or injuries you sustain during dangerous sports, or even hiking or kicking around a football on the beach. MoneySuperMarket’s insurance comparison tool allows you to quickly find out what activities will and won’t be covered in any travel insurance policy. If you plan on enjoying any physical activities while on your Spanish getaway, check that they’re included first.

• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, or you’ve had one in the past for which you’ve received advice or treatment, you may be charged a higher premium. If this is the case, it may help to take out a special policy for pre-existing conditions.

• Spain is a stable and peaceful country – however, you may not be covered for incidents related to civil unrest, war, or terrorism, so exercise caution.

• If you suffer an accident or injury that can be linked to you drinking too much or using illegal drugs, insurers are likely to refuse your claim.

When should my Spain insurance policy start?

When you choose an insurance policy, make sure you’re covered from the day you book your trip, not the day you actually leave. That way, you’ll be covered in case you need to cancel your holiday before you set off.

Health and vaccinations

If you need medical help while you’re in Spain, you should find that the healthcare facilities are of the same high quality that you’d expect in the UK.

You won’t need any special shots for Spain, but it’s important to make sure you’re up to date with all your ordinary vaccines before you set off.

The legal status of some medicines might be different in Spain. If you’re travelling with prescription medicines, it’s best to check in advance to make sure they’re not controlled. You should also bring a copy of your prescription with you.

Compare travel insurance for Spain with MoneySuperMarket

Travel insurance for Spain is essential to keep you protected, but not all policies are the same. To find great deals on travel insurance that meets all your needs, it’s important to compare before you buy.

MoneySuperMarket’s comparison tool asks you a few simple questions about you and your holiday: where you are going, how long for, and what you want your policy to cover? In just a couple of minutes, you can compare prices from a range of leading travel insurers.