Choosing between two travel insurance offers on price alone is like choosing between two cars by colour: quick, but it misses the point entirely. The table below sets out a genuine comparison in nine lines – it's the same table I put together for my clients whenever I line up several insurers' offers side by side.
- The table's first three lines are the backbone: medical limit · repatriation · assistance (availability, language).
- The middle lines fit the cover to your trip: sports cover · cancellation cover · baggage · delay.
- The last lines are the details: deductibles · exclusions – and only after all of this comes the price.
The backbone: lines 1–3
1. Medical limit: measured against the destination country (sizing logic) – viewed in the same structure each time (what does it actually include?). 2. Medical repatriation: is it a standalone element, and with what limit – the most expensive item can't be left vague. 3. Assistance: the availability and language of the assistance hotline – being able to speak Hungarian when trouble hits isn't a comfort issue, it's protection against misunderstandings; also ask what the service actually takes on (arranging care, paying providers directly).
Fitting cover to your trip: lines 4–7
4. Sport: which category your activity falls into, what the add-on actually covers (rescue!), and what's excluded. 5. Cancellation cover: the list of accepted reasons, the deductible, the time window – relevant if your trip has a prepaid value (what it pays out for). 6. Baggage: the overall limit + sub-limits (electronics, valuables) + sports equipment. 7. Delay: the qualifying number of hours and how compensation is paid. These four lines should be weighted according to your own itinerary – line 4 matters most to a skier, line 5 to a traveller with prepaid packages.
The details: lines 8–9
8. Deductibles: where they apply and how large they are – on medical claims, baggage, cancellation cover; between two similarly priced offers, this is often where the real difference lies. 9. Exclusions: using the exclusions map as a guide, check your own risk points (pre-existing conditions, planned activities). And now – only now – comes the price: between offers of equal content, the more affordable one is the sensible choice.
How does this actually work in practice?
You can do it yourself: pull the nine lines out of the terms of two or three offers – depending on the trip, this takes an hour or two. Or: tell me your itinerary, and I'll put the comparison together – drawing on competing offers from several insurers, in one clear table, free of charge. I assess your needs and explain the options – the decision is yours. Book a time here.
Frequently asked questions on this topic
How many offers is it worth comparing?
Two is too few, ten is overkill: three to five offers that fit your itinerary, run through the nine-line table, already give a reliable picture. What matters isn't the number of offers, but comparing them in the same structure.
Aren't the tables on online comparison sites enough?
They're a good starting point, but they're typically price-focused, and the details (sub-limits, deductibles, classifications) don't show up in them. Before your final decision, always look into the terms of the offer you've chosen – or ask me for a content-based comparison.
Have a question specific to your own trip? Request a quote – a free 20-minute consultation, no obligation. Book a time here →
