Frequently asked questions

What other forms of insurance does Swinton offer?

Car Insurance, Specialist Car Insurance, Home Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, Van insurance, Taxi Insurance, Taxi Fleet Insurance, Caravan Insurance, Motorhome Insurance, Business Insurance, Pet Insurance.

How will I receive my policy documents?

You policy documents will be posted to you after you have purchased your policy.

Can I use my credit card to buy?

Yes, simple as that.

Who should I call if I have a claim?

If you purchased your policy after 1st May 2011, your policy will be underwritten by Ageas. You should call their claims line on 0845 122 3280. If you purchased your policy online before 1st May 2011 then your policy may be underwritten by Axa. If this is the case, you should call their claims line on 0870 606 0068.

Can I take out single trip insurance?

Yes. We can offer you a really good deal on a single trip insurance but you perhaps also ought to think about annual cover if you travel abroad frequently.

Can I take out annual travel insurance?

Yes, we offer annual cover for multi trips. This really does make sense for the frequent traveller. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How old must I be to take out travel insurance with you?

You need to be 18 years old to take out your own policy. Children can be covered by naming them on their parents'/legal guardians' policy.

I am travelling throughout the world on this trip, what do I put down for the country I am visiting?

Simply let us know that you would like worldwide cover.

How can I opt out of being mailed?

When you take out your travel insurance policy, just let us know that you do not wish to be added to our mailing list.

Why do you need my email address?

At Swinton, we have a number of special offers running throughout the year that we don't want you to miss out on. However, if you do not wish to receive these special offers, please ask not to be included on our mailing list when you purchase your policy.

Why do you need my telephone number?

We need this information in case we have to get in touch with you, such as when your policy is due for renewal if you have annual cover.

Why do you need my mobile telephone number?

It's handy to have your mobile number as this is often the easiest way to get in touch. We may call you about your policy, to let you know your renewal date is approaching or even to text you if there are some particularly good offers for you. If you don't want us to text you, just opt out in the quote form.

How many children can I take with me?

You can take up to 10 children with you if you are their parent/legal guardian and name them on the policy.

Can my children travel independently on an annual policy?

No, they must be travelling with the parent/legal guardian insured on the same policy. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

Must I be related to the children on the policy?

You must be their legal guardian. If not please consult our full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions in the Policy Wording.

Why do you ask what type of party we are?

It helps us to get you a quote more quickly as we'll only be asking relevant questions.

One of my party is not a UK resident can you get cover for us?

I'm afraid we cannot offer a quote for non UK residents.

How much cover is there for medical expenses?

The policy will pay up to £10,000,000 for your medical hospital bills and repatriation to the UK. It also covers emergency dental treatment and accommodation expenses if it is medically necessary for you to stay beyond your return date. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there for hospital benefit?

The policy will pay up to £1000. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there for personal accident?

The policy will pay up to £25,000 for death, loss of limb or sight, permanent or temporary or total disablement. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there for personal liability?

The policy will pay up to £2,000,000 for any legal liability you become liable to pay. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there for travel delay?

Up to £100 is available for travel delay. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there for baggage?

The policy will cover you up to £1,500 for your baggage. In addition the policy will reimburse you up to £100 for emergency replacement of clothing, medication and toiletries if your baggage is lost and not returned for more than 12 hours on the outward journey. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there if my holiday is cancelled?

The policy will pay your unrecoverable holiday costs up to £5,000. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there if my holiday is curtailed?

You are covered up to £5,000 for curtailment. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there if I miss my departure?

Expenses up to £500 to cover additional transport or accommodation due to missed departure as a result of breakdown or accident of a vehicle you are travelling in or public transport failure. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there for overseas legal expenses?

The policy will pay up to £25,000 in pursuit of a civil action for compensation for bodily injury, illness or death. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How much cover is there if my baggage is delayed?

The policy will cover you up to £100 for emergency replacement of clothing, medication and toiletries if your baggage has been delayed for more than 12 hours on the outward journey. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by medical expenses?

By this we mean your emergency medical, dental and other expenses such as hospital bills incurred outside the UK and your repatriation to the UK. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by hospital benefit?

A daily benefit which pays out if you are confined to hospital as an inpatient outside the UK. Benefit is paid out for each full 24 hour period spent in hospital as a result of bodily injury or illness up to a maximum of £1000. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by personal accident?

This is a sum payable in the event of death, loss of limb or sight which causes permanent or temporary disablement.

What do you mean by delayed departure?

This covers you for expenses - such as food and accommodation - that you may incur because your plane, boat, train or other means of transport is late leaving. Most policies will pay out after you have been delayed for 12 hours, followed by an amount for subsequent 12-hour periods of delay. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by personal liability?

This part of the policy is to cover you if you are legally liable to pay compensation because you have injured someone or damaged their property. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by baggage cover?

If this option is taken, baggage cover means luggage, clothing, personal effects, valuables, golf equipment and other articles which belong to you (or for which you are legally responsible) which are worn, used or carried by you during your holiday. It excludes personal money and documents of any kind. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by cancellation cover?

Cancellation cover compensates you as a result of having to cancel your holiday after paying for it (but before you set off). This can be a useful insurance for pre-booked holidays in the UK as well as abroad. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by curtailment?

Curtailment ensures that you get part of the cost of the holiday back if you have to cut your holiday short, and any reasonable travel costs you incur. This could be as a result of bodily injury or illness. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by missed departure?

This pays your extra expenses if you miss your plane, boat, train or other means of transport because public transport let you down as a result of bad weather, mechanical breakdown or industrial action (unless advance warning was given) and have to make other arrangements to get to your holiday destination which cost you extra. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by overseas legal expenses?

This helps cover the legal costs of pursuing claims for compensation and/or damages if you are killed, injured or become ill when on holiday. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by tailor your quote?

Here you can tailor your quote for sports such as golf, dangerous activities or even working abroad. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What are the benefits of having winter sports cover?

Your equipment will be covered up to £500. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What are the benefits of having ski cover?

Your equipment will be covered up to £500. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What happens if I remove baggage cover?

If you remove this option, your baggage will not be covered by this policy. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

How can I reduce my excess?

You can pay an additional premium, to reduce the policy excesses to nil.

Will the policy cover me for working on my holiday?

Yes. Look at the section tailor my quote, and then tell us you intend to work aboard during your holiday. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

Will the policy cover me for dangerous sports on my holiday?

Yes. Look at the section tailor my quote, and then tell us you intend to undertake any dangerous sports during your holiday. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

I am waiting for an operation. Will the policy cover me?

The policy can cover you but some sections of the policy will be excluded. These are cancellation or curtailment charges; emergency medical & other expenses, hospital benefit and personal accident. If you want these covered phone AXA as they might be able to help on 0870 850 9948. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

I am pregnant. Will the policy cover me?

You are 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 and cancellation or curtailment charges provides cover for bodily injury or illness, and normal childbirth would not constitute a bodily injury or illness.

My doctor says I shouldn't travel. Will you cover me?

We can cover you but some sections of the policy will be excluded. These are cancellation and curtailment; emergency medical cover & expense related to this and hospital benefits and personal accident. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by in patient?

In patient means that you will be spending at least 24 hours in hospital.

What do you mean by multi trip cover?

We mean that by buying annual cover you are covered for as many trips as you take in that year, each one must be over 2 nights and under 31 days in duration. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

What do you mean by annual trip cover?

We mean that you are covered for as many trips as you take in that year, each one must be over 2 nights and under 31days in duration.

What do you mean by piste closure?

We mean that the skiing facilities have been closed in your resort and it is not possible to ski as a result of lack of snow or avalanche.

Why should I take out annual insurance?

Because if you take a few holidays a year in the long run it could be cheaper, simple as that. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

Why would a multi trip policy benefit me?

It's ideal for those people who take more than one trip a year. It's the easier way to do it. You don't have to bother arranging insurance each time but you'll be covered. For full policy terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions please see the Policy Wording.

When was Swinton founded?

The company ledgers show that the first insurance policy issued by Swinton was in August 1957. In the 50 years since the first Swinton branch opened in Salford, we have grown into a very different but extremely fit company. We have over 3,000 employees. We are now responsible for over 2 million insurance policies. More and more are being taken up over the internet. Our sales efforts are supported by our two UK call centres, in Manchester and Halifax. With over 600 branches, we are the largest High Street insurance chain in the UK.

Swinton Travel Insurance is insured by Ageas.

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