Valentine’s Day – what are the risks when seeking a romantic getaway with the ‘one you love’

Valentine’s Day is this week and love is in the air, quite literally if you are jetting off for a romantic break. For the more adventurous, a foreign trip could be planned where the ‘big question’ might be popped. But if it all goes pear-shaped it’s unlikely that either of the lovers will want to spend a long weekend abroad together, so does travel insurance cover a hasty retreat?

Rebecca Kingsley, brand manager of Travel Insurance Explained provides some essential advice for those looking to ensure they are not left out of pocket if the path to true love does not run smoothly.

My partner and I broke up before our holiday; will my travel insurance cover me if I cancel the trip?

This depends on the type of travel insurance cover you have. Although there are a few policies that will cover you for ‘cancellation for any cause beyond your reasonable control’, most insurers will only provide cover for specific reasons such as cancellation due to death, injury or illness of you, the travelling companion, or close relative, you are required for Jury Service or you are made redundant. If your reasons for cancelling fall outside of these then generally, you won’t be covered and unable to reclaim the cost of the trip

 My Valentine’s trip was booked so I could propose to my girlfriend but I have lost the engagement ring? Will my travel insurance cover the cost of replacing the ring?

You would only be able to make a claim if this happened on the trip, and not before you left. It would also depend on the cost of your engagement ring; most travel insurance policies will cover personal possessions including lost or stolen jewellery, but do check the policy as this may be under a ‘valuables’ section. And, take a look at the single item limit as it may not be high enough to cover the value of the ring. We would recommend you either look for a policy that has a high personal possession/valuables limit and single article limit or add the engagement ring to your home contents insurance – just make sure you have worldwide and all risks cover on your home insurance possessions/valuables.

 The activities and excursions that were planned for the holiday are non-refundable. Can I claim on my travel insurance for the cost of these activities?

Although most travel insurance policies will not cover you for unusable pre-paid activities or excursions, there are a few that will – just look for ‘cover for unused pre-paid excursions that you cannot get back from anywhere else’.

 Best LGBTQ destinations for a stress free trip

Certain destinations for the LGBTQ community can be more stressful than others due to the cultural differences and prejudices inherent in those countries. However Spain has historically been a favourite among Britons, with Madrid being LGBTQ capital of Europe and the Canary Islands a favourite with its world-class beaches and friendly locals. Though the Caribbean is another hot spot for sun-worshippers, islands like Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and Grenada may not be so open as other Latin American or South American countries such as Honduras, Brazil, Peru or Colombia which have broad protection against discrimination.

 Rebecca Kingsley said: “Love is unpredictable and things can change at any moment but there are steps people can take to make sure that they are not left with a stinging bill when things don’t go to plan.  Purchase the right travel insurance policy that has the most suitable cover for you – this will ensure that there is protection if you have to cancel a trip for reasons beyond your control – such as your partner breaking-up with you.  Most travel insurance policies do not offer this cover so it’s vital to check the cover limits and exclusions to make sure your heartache isn’t compounded with a hefty bill to pay.”