What if I have a pre-existing medical condition? Will you cover me?

We provide cover for a wide variety of pre-existing medical conditions. Some of these will require an additional premium. We don't insure medical conditions that fall into the following categories, unless we have otherwise agreed to do so:

• any respiratory condition (relating to the lungs or breathing) that you've ever received treatment for
• any cardiovascular condition (any condition relating to the heart, arteries, veins or blood pressure) that you've ever received treatment for
• any stroke that you've ever received treatment for
• any cancer that you've ever received treatment for
• any other medical condition you have or have had that you're taking prescribed medication for, or that you're waiting to receive or have received treatment for (including surgery, tests or investigations) within the last 2 years.

If all your medical conditions are included on the following list they will be covered as standard and you do not need to declare them to us. If you have any medical condition which is not included on the list then you’ll need to give us details of all your medical conditions to see if cover can be provided for them (including those included on the list).

If your medical condition doesn't appear on this list, you will need to give us details of your medical condition(s) to see if cover can be provided. You can do this when you obtain a quote online or you can call us on 0845 610 0305.

Under the cancellation and curtailment, emergency medical, hospital benefit or personal accident sections, you won't be covered for any claims that happen as a direct or indirect result of your pre-existing medical condition if:

1. your prognosis is terminal
2. you're on a waiting list for or you know you need surgery, in-patient treatment or investigation at a hospital, clinic or nursing home
3. you're travelling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner
4. you're travelling with the intention of getting medical treatment (including surgery or investigations) or advice outside of the United Kingdom or within the Channel Islands.

I am 12 weeks pregnant. Am I covered under the policy?

You’re covered under the policy, provided that you travel within the health requirements stipulated by the carrier, their handling agents or any other public transport provider. Please note, that the Emergency medical expenses section provides for emergency medical charges for bodily injury or illness, and normal childbirth would not constitute a bodily injury or illness.

What is EHIC?

EHIC is the European Health Insurance Card that enables you to receive state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area countries and Switzerland at reduced cost or even free. You can apply online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers, get an application form from your Post Office or call 0845 606 2030. Please note: the EHIC doesn’t replace insurance and this website provides information about what the EHIC does and doesn’t cover.

Is there a limit to the length of my holiday cover?

Yes, the single trip policy covers a holiday up to 6 months long. For annual multi-trip cover, the maximum cover for each trip is 45 days.

Does an age limit apply to this policy?

Unfortunately we are unable to offer Annual Travel Insurance to anyone 76 years of age and over. If you are under 86 years of age, we may be able to offer you a Single Trip policy.

If you are 86 years of age or over, please refer to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) website for information on providers able to offer insurance to older travellers.

When does my cover start?

For single trip policies your cover starts as soon as you've paid your premium. That way, you're protected against problems that may cause you to cancel your pre-booked holiday. For annual policies your cover begins on the policy start date you’ve selected.

I intend to go abroad for about 3 months. Will I be covered?

Yes, as long as you take out single trip insurance for that period. The annual multi-trip insurance wouldn't be suitable because it limits each trip to 45 days.

Are one-way trips covered?

We don’t offer cover for one-way trips.

What is the John Lewis Travel Concierge Service?

You can use our Travel Concierge Service to get travel advice such as:

• where to stay
• airport lounge access
• helping you to organise your travel money
  
• car rental and transport facilities
• entertainment information
• gift and shopping services, and more for business travellers.

Download the policy document to see the full details.

Does the annual policy cover my family? Who is covered?

Your family is covered if you've chosen the Family Cover Option. Family Cover will provide cover for 2 adults and any number of their children, stepchildren or foster children aged under 18 (or aged under 23 if in full-time education). This applies as long as they’re accompanying their parents or legal guardian, insured on the same policy and travelling on any trip to the same destination.

What does an annual multi-trip policy cover compared to a single trip policy?

The annual multi-trip policy gives you cover for a period of one year and covers any trip during that period. Note that:

• each individual trip must be limited to 45 days
• you are only covered for trips within the region specified when you purchased the policy.
  

The single trip policy gives you cover for one individual trip. Cancellation cover starts as soon as the premium is paid and ends when you return home after your trip.

Are my children covered under a family annual policy if they travel without me?

Unfortunately not. Children must be travelling with a parent or legal guardian insured on the same policy.

What happens if my annual policy is due for renewal and expires while I'm on holiday?

You can arrange to pay the renewal before you travel. Normally, renewal notices are sent out well in advance of the renewal date.

What should I do if I want to cancel my policy?

You can either:

• Email us: enquiries@johnlewis-insurance.com
• Call us on 0845 610 0305
• Write to us at:
  

John Lewis Travel Insurance
PO Box 147
Ipswich
IP1 2AN

Please ensure you provide your name, address (including postcode) and policy number.

What does 'Excluding Baggage' cover mean?

It means that you can reduce the premium you pay by choosing not to include cover under this section. You should only ask for this after checking that your Home Insurance provides suitable cover for your personal possessions whilst abroad, and in particular for the period of travel (some Home Insurance policies limit the cover to 30 or 60 days in any one year).

Do I need Independent Traveller Insurance?

Independent Traveller Insurance is an optional extra on our standard Travel Insurance policy and provides important additional cover that may be necessary if your trip isn't booked as a package holiday.

Many people don't realise that if you book travel and accommodation separately you may not benefit from the financial protection that usually covers a package. So if you’re planning on booking elements of your trip yourself, taking out Independent Traveller Insurance might be a good idea.

Buying an annual travel policy? Make sure that Independent Traveller Insurance is included in your policy, to give flexible cover to your future travel arrangements, including those made independently.

For further details of what John Lewis Travel Insurance covers and information about the exclusions and limitations, please look at the policy summary and the policy booklet.

What is meant by a 'package'?

A package is defined as the pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following components when sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a period of more than 24 hours or includes overnight accommodation:

1. transport
2. accommodation
3. other tourist services in addition to transport or accommodation (such as car hire or airport parking) and accounting for a significant proportion of the package as described in The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992.

Am I protected by ATOL?

When you create your own holiday (booking a flight and hotel at the same time), you're protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) number 6492, since £1 per person of the cost of your air holiday package is paid to CAA to provide ATOL Protection for you. If you decide to cancel your booking, you’ll still have to pay this fee. Please note: this only applies to bookings made through companies which are protected by ATOL, so make sure you check before you book.

If your travel provider goes into liquidation, the CAA will ensure that you’re not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you’ve paid for an advance booking.

However, if you book your flight and hotel separately, at different points in time, you may not be protected by the ATOL Scheme.

For further information visit the ATOL website or call us on 0845 610 0321.

A few examples of when Independent Traveller Insurance would ensure that you’re covered

Where you've booked elements of your holiday separately (flights, hotel, transfers etc) and the following occurs:

a) delayed departure - An air-traffic control strike means that your flight from the UK is cancelled or delayed for more than 12 hours. Independent Traveller Insurance covers you for up to £6,000 per person for lost accommodation costs, or pays up to £6,000 per person for the reasonable additional travel and accommodation costs for you to make alternative arrangements for your trip (eg for you to book an alternative mode of transport or travel from a different airport).

b) missed departure - On a trip abroad you fly from New Zealand to Hong Kong and then on to the UK. You plan to stay in Hong Kong for the afternoon before returning to the UK with a different airline. However, the flight to Hong Kong is delayed for nine hours due to poor weather conditions, meaning that you don’t arrive there in time to catch your return flight from Hong Kong to the UK. In this scenario, you could claim up to £500 per person for additional accommodation and travel expenses to return home to the UK.

c) extended cancellation - As was the case with the Swine Flu scare, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) can advise against travelling to a certain area. Independent Traveller Insurance would cover your cancellation costs for up to £6,000 per person.

Can I add Independent Traveller Cover to my existing Travel Insurance policy?

Yes. If you have any questions or would like to add this to your existing policy please call us on 0845 610 0321.

I travel for business on a regular basis. Am I covered?

Yes, if you've taken out the business travel cover option, which is available for both annual and single trips. Benefits include:

• The Business Travel upgrade gives you an additional £1,000 of cover for business equipment
• Cover is also provided for the reasonable costs of arranging for a colleague to take your place on a pre-arranged trip should you be unable to go for any reason
• Our policy doesn't give you cover for manual work in connection with a profession, business or trade, but non-manual work will be covered.

Is my laptop computer (used for business purposes) covered under my Travel Insurance?

If you take out our business travel cover option, your laptop will be covered up to the single article limit of £500.

Where can I find information about the country I’m planning to visit?

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website provides the latest and most up-to-date travel advice, specific to individual countries. This includes information on local laws and customs, visa and entry requirements, and safety and security issues you should be aware of before you travel.