Annual multi-trip insurance is an alternative travel insurance designed for those people who are regular travellers. Choosing an annual multi-trip policy is usually advised if you make three or more trips per year, because multi-trip insurance is typically two to three times more expensive than single trip insurance. You can make an unlimited number of trips within the year, but the length of the trips may be restricted. Typically, each trip can last no longer than thirty-one to sixty days, depending on your insurer and the policy you choose.
You may choose this type of insurance if you book trips away last minute, or you are likely to have to travel for business at short notice. Annual multi-trip insurance removes the need to take out special insurance for each trip you make, and so it will often save you time and money if you are a 'last minute' traveller.
An annual multi-trip policy is usually very flexible; you can add those areas of cover you consider necessary and either insure yourself, your family or a group of friends. Some policies will even insure the individual members of a family or group individually, which means that they are covered even if they travel separately. In addition, many policies will include certain sports cover as standard for a limited period. For example, ski insurance may be offered without an increased premium for a trip of up to fifteen days: if you wish to ski for a longer period than this you would be required to pay an additional premium.
Potential drawbacks of annual multi-trip insurance include:
> large excess (the amount you have to pay if you make a claim)
> annual cover for a sporting trip is often more expensive than when purchased as a single trip policy
> age restrictions can apply*
* some insurers will not offer you annual multi-trip insurance if you are over the age of sixty-five.
