British Airways Travel Insurance Review

Reviewed by: Thats Insurance

With the Brexit deadline almost upon us and the current coronavirus pandemic, choosing the right Travel Insurance have never been more essential. The wrong choice now could have disastrous repercussions if you have to claim whilst abroad.

Comparing numerous policy terms and conditions can be daunting as well as time consuming. Our independent rating and review highlights the important points we think you should know about when choosing your next travel insurance policy.

Once you have read this review of British Airways and compared polices using our unique search facility, you will have all the information you need to make an informed choice.

Our review of British Airways will highlight:

Who are British Airways and who underwrites their policies?
How their Travel Insurance policies have been ranked using our unique star rating formula
16 key points you need to know about their Travel Insurance
How do British Airways score in our mystery shopping tests?
Pro's and Con's you should consider.
A breakdown of the cover British Airways policies offer
Sample Quotes

...and what makes us unique?

You can take all this information and search and compare with the entire Travel Insurance market.

Who are British Airways Travel Insurance

British Airways is a full service global airline, offering year round fares through an extensive network of routes.British Airways have partnered up with a company called Columbus Direct (part of the Collinson Group ), who have managed Travel Insurance for various companies since their inception in 1988.

As well as managing British Airways travel insurance, Columus Direct have their own scheme which you can review here.

They are authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).BA's travel policies are arranged by Columbus Direct and underwritten by Collinson Insurances services ltd on behalf of ERV Europaische Reiseversicherung AG and ERGO a german company based in Munich.

How to Buy Travel Insurance from British Airways

Click on the website link to go directly to the insurance providers website. Visit British Airways's Website and Get a Quotation direct

How British Airways Travel Insurance 's Policies have been ranked using our star rating formula?

Click on the white bars on the right side of the policy boxes below. Expand the content to view star ratings of all policies offered by British Airways.

Single Trip Policy Ratings

We have reviewed 2 Single Trip Policies from British Airways Travel Insurance. They are - Deluxe - Value. We have rated these as follows:-

Thats Insurance Rating for Single Trip Deluxe:

Thats Insurance Rating for Single Trip Value:

British Airways Single Trip Insurance Review

Backpacker Policy Ratings

Thats Insurance found no policies available for this section.

British Airways Backpacker Insurance Review

Annual Policy Ratings

We have reviewed 2 Annual Policies from British Airways Travel Insurance. They are - Deluxe - Value. We have rated these as follows:-

Thats Insurance Rating for Annual Deluxe:

Thats Insurance Rating for Annual Value:

British Airways Annual Insurance Review

Longstay Policy Ratings

Thats Insurance found no policies available for this section.

British Airways Longstay Insurance Review

Travel Policies rated by That's Insurance 5 Star include:-
(click to open/close)

Five star policies cover all Primary (core) sections and all Secondary sections under a travel policy.
Cancellation cover is above the level of the market average
Other Core Sections of cover are either at or above the levels of the market average.
Secondary sections of cover are either at or above the levels of the market average.
Five star policies provide additional cover benefits over and above standard policies.
Five star policies include scheduled airline and/or end supplier failure as standard.
Five star policies include natural catastrophe cover, either as standard, or as an option.
Premiums are the most competitive in relation to the cover provided.
Have clear and consumer friendly, policy wording and explanations of cover.
The alcohol exclusion is more customer friendly than the market average.
The standard excess is below the level of the market average.

Travel Policies rated by That's Insurance 4 Star include:-
(click to open/close)

Four star policies cover all Primary (core) sections and all Secondary sections under a travel policy.
Four star policies have cancellation cover at or above the market average.
Four star policies may have a maximum of one core and one secondary section, or two secondary sections of cover lower than the market average or the excess may be above the market average.
Four star policies may provide additional cover benefits.
Four star policies may not automatically include cover for scheduled airline or end supplier failure.
Premiums are competitive in relation to the cover provided.
Have clear and consumer friendly policy wording and explanations of cover.

Travel Policies rated by That's Insurance 3 Star include:-
(click to open/close)

Three star policies cover all Primary (core) Sections, but may not offer baggage and money cover as standard.
Three star policies have some core covers lower than the market average, or up to one secondary sections of cover missing.
Three star policies may have some secondary covers lower than the market average.
Three star policies may not provide scheduled airline/end supplier failure cover, or only offer it as an option.
The Insurer, may not provide quotations across the full range of scenarios tested.
The standard excess may be higher than the market average.

Travel Policies rated by That's Insurance 2 Star include:-
(click to open/close)

Two star policies generally provide cover that is below the market average and/or have Primary (core) and Secondary sections of cover missing from their policies.
Two star policies may not offer baggage/money cover.
Premiums tend to be much lower than the market average due to the low levels of cover provided.
The Standard Excess is higher than the market average.
The Insurer may not provide quotation across the full range of scenarios tested
Policy wordings may not be as consumer friendly as other Insurers

Key Points you need to know about British Airways's policy wording

1. What is the age/classification of a child on the policy?

The Travel Insurance website BA describes a child as dependent, permanently residing with you, being under the age of 18 and in full time education.

2. What are the policy age limits?

The single trip policy has an age limit of 79 years and under at the date of travel.
The annual travel policy also has an age limit of 79 years and under at the date of travel.

3. What are the policy Trip Duration limits?

The British Airways single trip policy can be taken out for up to a maximum of 186 days
The British Airways annual travel policy allows for unlimited trips, provided each trip lasts no longer than 31 days.

4. What are the options for Winter Sports cover?

Both single trip and annual trip policies have the option of including wintersports (single trip for the length of the holiday annual trips for a maximum of 17 days)

The Annual travel deluxe policy automatically includes wintersports for up to 17 days.

The wintersports section does not state what activities are covered only those that are not, which include off-piste skiing except whilst under the supervision of a qualified guide /instructor, ski jumping, monoskiing, ice hockey, the use of skeletons or bobsleighs, ski or skibob racing in International and National events and their heats and officially organised practice or training for these events.

The policy covers Ski Equipment upto £750, (single article limit £250) Ski hire (£15 per day), Ski pack (£20 per day) and Piste closure (£20 per day) up to £300 and avalanche cover up to £200

Piste closure is only available between 1st December - 30th April in the Northern Hemisphere and 1st May - 30th September in the Southern Hemisphere.

5. What is classed as a family and how many people can be quoted for?

Up to ten individiuals under one policy, although there is no group discount for insuring more than one adult.

Couple cover applies to you and your husband/wife, common law partner or civil partner.

A family is one or two adults and up to 8 children (Family cover is only available to persons aged 65 years or under).

Your unmarried dependent children are only covered when travelling with an adult insured under this policy.

6. What are the policy rules on reciprocal health agreements (EHIC, Medicare)?

The policy does not insist on an EHIC card, but one is highly recommended and if a claim is reduced as a result of producing the card, then the medical expenses excess will be reduced to zero.

If you are visiting Australasia, you should enrol in Medicare.

7. What is covered under Sports and Activities on the policy?

Sports and activities is dealt with in the general exclusions and definitions section of the policy. British Airways state that any activity is excluded where it is recognised there is an increased risk of serious injury or could be reasonably expected to aggravate any existing infirmity.

They provide a list of examples of which sports and activities are not covered and a smaller list of what is acceptable provided no physical contact is involved.

Our advice would be to check with British Airways if you wish to carry out a particular activity and it is not listed.

8. What are the policy Alcohol Exclusion terms?

The policy specifically excludes any claim where you are under the influence of drink.

9. Does the policy cover Scheduled Airline Failure or Financial Failure?

The policy includes cover against scheduled airline failure.

10. Does the policy cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and can I get a quote online?

Pre existing medical conditions are not covered under the policy. They can be included provided you have contacted the medical helpline and they have confirmed cover in writing.

There is no facility to underwrite conditions online.

11. What are the policy rules on travelling when pregnant?

The policy excludes any claim in respect of pregnancy unless there are unforseen complications. The policy does not provide any definition or example of complications.

Cover is also excluded under medical inconvenience if you are admitted as an in-patient within 12 weeks of your estimated delivery date.

12. Will I be covered if I want to do Manual Work or Bar Work or other work while I am on holiday?

Manual work is excluded and defined as work that is physical, including but not limited to construction, installation, assembly and building work. This does not included bar and restaurant staff, musicians, singers and fruit pickers (who do not use machinery)

The policy wording also states non manual work, including farm holidays is covered.

13. What are the requirements, if I need to claim for lost, damaged or stolen baggage?

The policy does not mention proof of ownershipr or receipts in respect of claims for personal property, but that there will be a deduction made for wear and tear/depreciation

14. What does the policy cover in the event of war, terrorism or cyber attack?

The policy excludes any claim caused by war or civil unrest, unless you are in an area where war or civil unrest breaksout, when you will be covered for a maximum period of 72 hours and you take the first reasonable opportunity to leave.

There is no mention of terrorism in the policy.

15. Does the policy cover natural disaster or catastrophe before and during my holiday?

There is no natural disaster or catastrophe cover.

16. Do I have to be a UK resident to be covered under this policy?

This policy is only available to persons resident in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

British Airways's Mystery Shopping Ratings

That's Insurance have spent some time mystery shopping on british-airways-travel-insurance-review's website. The policy wording, website, customer service/buying process have been carefully reviewed and each section awarded a user friendly score, which you can see below.

Policy wording - Marks are awarded for Layout, Readability ,Terminology, Communication and Appropriate information.

Website - Marks are awarded for Layout/Navigation, Access to important information e.g. policy wordings, Clear Explanation/Comparison of policies, including limitations, Frequently asked questions.

Customer Service – Marks are awarded for the Buying process, Customer Service, Clear Quotations, Access to important information/Comparison of quotes.

The scores have been calculated as an overall percentage and shown on the three gauges. You can see how British Airways compares to the industry average. The higher the percentage the better the company performs in each area.

Policy Wording

(layout, readability, terminology)

Awaiting user friendly score

Website

(layout, navigation, access to information)

Awaiting user friendly score

Customer Service

(clear quotes, buying process, customer service)

Awaiting user friendly score

Pro's and Con's for British Airways Policies

We've highlighted Pro's and Cons for British Airways, click on the white bars on the right side of the boxes below. Expand the content to view pros and cons of all policies offered by British Airways.

Pro's

The Deluxe annual travel policy automatically includes wintersports cover for up to 17 days
The Deluxe policy has been awarded a four star rating
Cancellation cover can be increased to £20,000

Con's

No online screening for pre-existing medical conditions

What Cover do British Airways policies offer.

We've listed below cover levels for policies offered by offered by To scroll through all policies, click on the arrows on the left and right of policy name section.