Travel insurance can be confusing, with many words to get your head around. Cut through the jargon with our handy glossary of terms.

A

Annual or multi-trip policy — A policy which covers a number of trips during a policy period of 12 months.

B

Backpacker policy — A policy which can cover extended trips such as a gap year or taking a year out.

Baggage — Items taken on a trip, which are worn or carried by the policyholder, including suitcases.

C

Cancellation — Cancellation of a trip for a reason stated in policy documentation. For example, redundancy, death or serious illness of a close relative or someone travelling with the policyholder.

Claim — A request for payment by the policyholder for a loss covered under the terms of an insurance policy.

Curtailment — Where you've had to cut your trip short due to a reason covered by your travel insurance policy, you may be able to claim for reimbursement for the unused part of your holiday.

D

Delay — Where the departure of a flight or other method of transport is delayed by the time period stipulated in the policy documents, a claim can be made for items such as meals or overnight accommodation.

E

Excess — The portion of a claim a policyholder is liable for, payment for which must be made before a claim is paid by an insurance company.

Exclusions — Items an insurance policy doesn't cover. For example, adventurous sports or specific pre-existing medical conditions under a travel insurance policy unless specifically selected/offered.

F

Family — Usually, two adults living at the same address and at least one child under 18 years old, who permanently lives with you.

FCA — Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA is responsible for regulating the conduct of financial businesses such as Holiday Ready. Their objective is to protect customers, enhance the integrity of the UK financial system and promote competition in the interests of customers.

FCDO — Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The FCDO promotes the interest of British citizens which includes providing advice and guidance on foreign travel for UK travellers.

G

GHIC — The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives UK travellers access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare in eligible European countries on the same basis as local residents. It can be used in EU countries as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, but it is not a replacement for travel insurance.

L

Level of cover — The amount of protection given under an insurance policy.

Limitations — See Exclusions above.

M

Medical expenses — Cover for emergency medical expenses if someone named under a travel insurance policy is taken ill or injured while on a trip.

P

Personal liability — Cover for the legal liability of a policyholder for accidental injury, loss or damage to a third party or their property.

Policyholder — The person that owns an insurance policy, and whose name it is held in.

Pre-existing medical condition — An illness, disease or injury you already have, or have previously had before the start of a travel insurance policy.

R

Repatriation — The transportation of a person back to the UK, usually following an illness or accident suffered whilst abroad.

S

Single trip policy — A policy which covers one trip or holiday, within specified dates.