At first glance, the language of travel insurance quotes looks like jargon – in reality, it's around fifteen terms that keep repeating. Once you know these 15 terms, you can confidently read any quote or policy wording. Here's the essence – in key terms.
- The terms fall into three groups: what it covers (accident-illness-baggage, storno, add-ons), how (limit, excess, scope), what to do (assistance, claim notification).
- The full, searchable collection is in the Glossary A–Z article.
- For English-language travel situations, the Mini phrasebook EN–HU gives you situational phrases.
What does it cover? – the elements of the product
Accident-illness-baggage cover (BBP): the accident–illness–baggage trio, the core of travel insurance. Emergency care: medically urgent treatment that can't wait – travel insurance typically pays for this, not for planned treatment. Medical repatriation: getting a patient home on medical grounds – one of the most expensive items there is. Storno (trip cancellation cover): cover for cancelling before the trip starts, for a proven reason. Trip interruption cover: cover for having to end a trip early, once it's already begun. Sport add-on: switching on cover for activities that carry a supplement (skiing, diving, hiking up to a certain level).
How does it cover? – the framework
Cover limit: the upper amount up to which the insurer pays for a given element. Sub-limit: a limit-within-the-limit – typically for baggage (valuables, electronics). Excess (deductible): the portion of the loss that you bear yourself. Territorial scope: which countries the cover extends to (a Europe or worldwide package). Start of cover: the point in time from which the insurer is actually on risk – we go into detail on this in a separate article, because it's a key question when you take out cover on the day you leave.
What do you do? – how it works
Assistance: the insurer's round-the-clock help service – this is the first call to make in an emergency; it organises help, interprets, and pays the provider directly. Claim notification: reporting the event to the insurer, subject to a deadline. Official report: the official document that substantiates a claim (a police report, an airline PIR, a specialist's medical report) – the documents article shows what to keep and from where.
Frequently asked questions on this topic
Why do these terms matter when requesting a quote?
Because the tables in quotes speak in these terms: if you understand the difference between a limit, an excess and a sub-limit, you compare real content – not just prices and marketing names.
What's the difference between the policyholder and the insured person?
The policyholder takes out the contract and pays the premium; the insured person is the one whose risks the cover applies to. In a family policy, the parent is the policyholder and every travelling family member is insured – for a group, the organisation is the policyholder.
Is knowing these 15 terms enough to take out cover?
For an informed decision, yes: they let you read the tables in quotes and the main chapters of the policy wording. For deeper detail, there's the full glossary and the topic articles – the search function (the magnifying-glass button) brings up the right article for any term.
Have a question specific to your own trip? Request a quote – a free 20-minute consultation, no obligation. Book a time here →
