Travel Insurance

Insurance FAQs

• My trip is in 2025 but the policy schedule you sent only has the dates 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024
  Please rest assured that the dates noted on the insurance policy are reflective of the period within which the booking has to be made, not when the trip has to be undertaken.

  We can confirm that your trip is covered outside of these dates, which is detailed under Endorsement 2 on page 4 of the Policy Schedule.

• Everyone in the group has a GHIC (formerly EHIC). Do we still need travel insurance?
  A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and is not valid for use in all countries. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs, cancellation, travel delay, mountain rescue in ski resorts, being repatriated back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. Having both a GHIC and travel insurance will ensure your group is appropriately covered.

• Do we just have one policy number to cover everyone in the group?
  Yes, one policy number will cover everyone in your group.

• From what point are we covered under the insurance?
  Pre-departure (cancellation) cover starts from the date that you book your trip and pay your first deposit if insurance is included in your package. If you choose to add in insurance at a later date, your pre-departure cover will be activated upon receipt of payment of the premium. At these points, you will receive your full policy documentation. The rest of your cover starts once your journey begins.

• Are there any activities excluded from the policy?
  Whilst the only activity formally excluded is flying a plane as a pilot, please refer any activities into your Tour Operator that are not included within the itinerary, as Aviva may need to review any activities deemed to be ‘extreme’, which could incur an additional cost.

• Do I have to wear PPE when undertaking activities?
  Aviva do not have a formal requirement for wearing PPE but there is an expectation that any PPE supplied or required is worn. If you have any concerns regarding PPE, please review with your Tour Operator.

• What evidence do I need to provide to support my claim if I am not well enough to travel?
  You will be required to provide medical evidence from your Medical Practioner, along with supporting cancellation documentation such as invoices, that can be provided by your Tour Operator.

• Do I need to tell you if anyone in the group has a pre-existing medical condition?
  No, Aviva does not need to be informed of any pre-existing medical conditions. As long as you are not travelling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner, travelling for the purpose of treatment or have a terminal prognosis, you are covered under the policy.

  Please be aware that suicide and deliberate self-harm remains excluded at all times under the policy.

• And what if someone in my group develops a new medical condition after we have secured the cover but prior to our departure?
  Aviva does not require you to advise about changes to health during your period of insurance as detailed on your schedule. As long as you are not travelling against the advice of a Medical Practitioner, travelling for the purpose of treatment or have a terminal prognosis, you are covered under the policy.

• Can we opt out of the travel insurance if we wish?
  You have the right to opt out if you wish, but you should ensure that you have alternative travel insurance in place for all group members as this is a condition of booking.

• Can some group members within the group opt out from the insurance?
  The policy is a group policy so can only cover the entire group. If some group members opt out, the entire group cannot be covered.

• Is there any cover for my mobile phone?
  Under the Aviva policy there is no cover for mobile phones or any other electronic gadget, such as tablets, smart watches, wireless earphones, hair dryers, straighteners etc.

• What happens if we replace group members after we book and take the policy, but before we travel? Are the replacements full covered?
  Yes, Aviva covers the total number of people in the group. In order to make a claim, the group member just needs confirmation that they were part of the group, which can be provided by Rayburn Tours.

• Is there any cover on the insurance policy for the cost of hiring substitute teachers to cover classes back in the UK if a teacher’s stay is extended for whatever reason (remaining to support an unwell group member, lost passport)?
  No, the insurance wouldn’t provide financial support over and above the reasonable costs of the insured teacher’s extended stay, travel, sustenance.

• If a number of my group cancel which means that the tour is not viable because there aren’t enough remaining travellers to field a sports team or enough musicians to form a band, will the insurance cover full group cancellation?
  No, the insurance will not cover cancellation for any passengers who are unable to claim cancellation through medical reasons of their own. You should discuss postponement options with your Tour Operator.

• Will insurance cover us if we have not had vaccinations on offer?
  Not having vaccinations will not invalidate the insurance policy if you travel, however where destination countries have specific entry requirements, it is the group member’s responsibility to ensure that these are met. Unfortunately, there is no insurance cover for denied boarding/entry where group members do not meet the entry requirements of the destination country.

• What happens if a group member in my group becomes unwell whilst we are away?
  If a group member falls ill whilst you are away, you should contact the CEGA emergency medical claim number. They can help to support and advise you on next steps and ensure the group member is well looked after. Of course, if it is a medical emergency, call an ambulance straight away and notify CEGA at the earliest opportunity so that they can provide support and financial assistance with the claim. The insurance will provide cover for reasonable additional accommodation, travel or medical costs, without limitation. Rayburn Tours can also provide support via the 24-hour emergency line.

• How will they get back home after any medical treatment?
  The Group Leader should liaise with the CEGA Emergency Assistance team and follow the procedures required. Your insurance will cover the process of repatriation.

• What additional support do we have if someone must remain in isolation whilst on tour (whether unwell or not)?
  The Group Leader should liaise with the CEGA Emergency Assistance team and follow the procedures outlined. If you are unwell, your insurance will cover the costs of reasonable emergency travel expenses including the reasonable transport and accommodation of one relative or friend (subject to pre-authorisation by CEGA) who has to remain in destination or to have one relative or friend travel to the destination (excluding their own personal travel insurance).

• If the adult to child ratio is compromised due to illness, is there cover for a replacement adult to join the group?
  The Group Leader should liaise with the CEGA Emergency Assistance team and follow the procedures outlined. Your insurance will cover the costs of reasonable emergency travel expenses including transport and accommodation of replacement adult(s) to ensure adult to child ratio is not compromised. Rayburn Tours will provide support via the 24 hour emergency line.

• Is there any other insurance cover if a group member has to cut short their trip after departure due to illness?
  The curtailment section of the Aviva insurance also covers reimbursement of any unused, non-refundable accommodation or reasonable travel costs incurred in the event you are forced to curtail the trip. Once your claim has been raised, the exact amount will be determined depending on the individual circumstances in your case. Individual breakdowns of any costs reimbursed under this section of the policy are not possible due to supplier contract confidentiality clauses.

• Will the insurance still be valid if the advice from the FCDO changes to “all but essential travel” after the tour has commenced?
  Yes, Aviva will cover the cost of repatriation if appropriate and/or possible. The policy would continue to provide full cover until you returned home, even if you are unable to return immediately. Rayburn Tours would be on hand to support and assist with arrangements via the 24-hour emergency line.