Cheap Quotes

It's cheapest if you shop and buy online

You're quids in, if you're younger, living together as a couple, healthy and not into high-risk sports/activities.

Solo Travellers

Travelling alone? You can buy a fortnight's insurance to cover most holiday horrors for less than a tenner - not a lot if you think how much it'd cost to, say, replace luggage that's gone AWOL.

But with premiums of less than a tenner - there has to be a catch, hasn't there? Yes!

It won't be as comprehensive as more expensive products and you're likely to have to fork out more in excess payments.

But often there's only a few pounds' difference between the cheapest and the most comprehensive policies.

Think about the cover you need for your trip before you buy.

Single supplement

Not everyone is looked on in the same light when it comes to insuring their health and wellbeing while travelling.

Per head, singles pay more for exactly the same cover as couples and families - some insurers give a 10% discount to couples, for instance.

Insurance for Couples

As far as travel insurance for couples is concerned, if you're living with your partner, then it makes sense to take out annual travel insurance in both your names.

Check that the travel insurance allows you to travel separately.

If you're a couple but aren't living together, you may have to pay individual premiums. Many insurers expect you to be sharing the same address.

If you're a couple (straight or gay) - yet living apart - it's worth checking out with different insurers if they will consider covering you both for, say, that one-off trip together to Benidorm or Bermuda.

Older Couples

"When I'm 64" (and 65 actually)

Once you hit the age of 64 you're a no-go area as far as some insurers are concerned and so you can expect to pay through the nostrils.

Gay Couples

Some insurers won't underwrite gay couples while others turn their noses up at couples who aren't staying together.

Insure&Go don't discriminate in any way, and offer same sex policies for the gay and lesbian community.

Neither does Endsleigh Insurance - they offer discounts for couples (i.e. any 2 persons travelling together, regardless of their relationship).

At the end of the day, it doesn't cost anything to ask, after all.

Families

The family travel insurance market is huge, so you'd be mad not to shop around for the cheapest deals.

There are some great discounts to be had (children go free). Plus major savings to be made, especially if your older chicks don't look like flying the nest anytime soon.

Some insurers include kids up to the age of 23 in a family travel insurance package, if they're still living at home/in full-time education.

It beats having to pay separate full insurance premium rates for older kids.

Online Internet Quotes

The worldwide web is your 1-stop shop for cheap travel insurance deals.

Regardless of your age or marital status - straight or gay - it's where you'll find the cheapest - and most comprehensive - travel insurance cover.

The last place you're likely to find the best deal and quote is on the High Street.

So sidestep your local bucket-shop and track down a cheaper, more comprehensive deal on the worldwide web.

It doesn't mean you have to cut corners. But if you're -

• too lazy to let your fingers do the talking on the keyboard
• baffled by computers
• confused by the dizzying array of deals on offer
• have a dodgy medical health history

Then our advice is to contact your nearest insurance broker. It's his/her job to find the best deal for you.

Best of all, it won't cost you a penny. Twice as nice

Baggage Cover

Can you live without baggage cover or compensation for your holiday being cut short?

If you can't then cheap travel insurance may be money down the drain.

Existing Provider Discounts

Travel insurance providers such as NatWest give you a discount if your baggage and money are already covered by your home insurance policy.

Similarly Barclaycard offer you a 20% discount if your home contents insurance covers personal belongings and money while you're away.

Other providers, such as Liverpool Victoria, will offer you a discount if you've already bought another financial product from them. Definitely worth looking into.

Online travel insurance shop Essential Travel offer a wide range of travel insurance products for solo travellers including -

• Single Trip
• Annual Trip
• Winter Sports
• Backpacker
• Golf Cover

Other companies worth checking out are -

• Atlas Direct
• Insure and Go Travel Insurance

No claims bonus

Thumbs up to Cumbria-based Beacon Insurance Brokers Ltd who are independent brokers- they offer a no claims bonus on their annual travel insurance policies. More