Our standard Winter Sports add-on is designed more for traditional ski holidays and recreational skiing or snowboarding on piste.

Winter Sports Plus is our enhanced winter sports extension designed for ski seasons, instructor courses and more adventurous skiing or boarding. It includes activities such as off-piste skiing, freestyle skiing in terrain parks, ski touring, split boarding and even heli-skiing.

If you are heading abroad for a season, instructor course or planning more than just standard piste skiing, Winter Sports Plus is generally the better option.

Yes. The Winter Sports Plus add-on includes cover for off-piste skiing and snowboarding, with or without a guide, provided you are properly equipped, carrying appropriate mobile communications and skiing or snowboarding in groups of 3 or more people at all times.

This can include activities such as ski touring, split boarding and backcountry skiing.

No cover is provided for winter sports activities against local authority advice or for competitive ski racing events.

To add any of our Activity Packs, just follow the Quote Form - to stage 3 - there you will find all of the optional extras.

Ski instructor courses are covered when you add the Winter Sports Plus add-on to your policy.

Winter Sports Plus was specifically designed for customers heading abroad for ski seasons, instructor courses and more advanced winter sports activities.

In addition, customers with a Standard or Premier policy also benefit from cancellation and curtailment cover for pre-booked ski instructor course fees, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Standard policies include up to £3,000 cancellation and curtailment cover as standard, while Premier policies include up to £7,500, with the option to increase this up to £10,000.

We offer a 'Winter sports plus' add-on that can provide cover whilst in Ski parks including jumps up to 9m (medium).

Yes, bar work or working in a chalet is automatically covered with all of our policies.

We have a few options when it comes Winter Sports cover duration:

14 non-consecutive days
28 non-consecutive days
56 non-consecutive days
Unlimited

You can choose the cover duration you need. Remember, test the different durations, sometimes it's equal value - or better, to opt for the entire duration option.

When travelling to Europe, only the Unlimited option is available.

Medical - First and foremost, The 'Winter sports' add-on provides medical coverage in the event of an accident or injury whilst on the slopes, this includes Helicopter rescue, in patient treatment in a hospital and repatriation to the UK if necessary.

Off-Piste - You are covered for skiing on/off-piste within the boundaries of the resort. If you are outside of resort boundaries/Heli-skiing, you must be within a group of 3 or more or with a qualified instructor with working communications equipment (mobile phone).

Winter Sports Equipment – Loss theft or breakage of your own Winter Sports Equipment is insured up to £300 Budget, £450 Standard or £600 Premier per person, subject to a limit of £100 Budget, £200 Standard or £250 Premier for any single item, set or pair.
Loss theft or breakage of hired Winter Sports Equipment in your charge is insured up to £150 Budget, £225 Standard or £300 Premier per Insured Person.

Winter Sports Equipment Hire – Up to £150 Budget, £200 Standard or £350 Premier per Insured Person in respect of replacement Winter Sports Equipment hire following loss, theft or breakage, or misdirection or delay in transit of an Insured Person’s Winter Sports Equipment preventing their use for not less than 12 hours.

 Ski Pack – Up to £400 Budget, £500 Standard or £700 Premier per Insured Person in respect of the proportionate value of any ski pass, hire or tuition fee necessarily unused following accident or sickness of the Insured Person, or loss theft or damage of the ski pass.

 Piste Closure – Up to £15 Budget, £20 Standard or £30 Premier per day per Insured Person to a maximum of £150 Budget, £200 Standard or £300 Premierfor additional transport costs to reach an alternative resort necessitated by a lack of snow or avalanche at your pre-booked resort following the closure of skiing facilities.

 Avalanche Closure – Up to £150 Budget, £200 Standard or £300 Premier per Insured Person in respect of additional travel and accommodation expense necessarily incurred as a result of the outward or return journey by public transport being delayed for 12 or more hours beyond the scheduled arrival time.

Yes! If you are a pillion passenger on a motorcycle tour, such as the Ha Giang Loop, this is covered automatically and does not require any Activity Packs or any relevant licences.

We understand how frustrating this can be, but it’s important to know that this type of loss is not covered under a standard retail travel insurance policy. Travel insurance is designed to cover specific risks, such as emergency medical expenses, cancellation of your trip before you travel (for insured reasons), or lost baggage.

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, their obligation is to provide you with either a refund or alternative transport under air passenger rights. However, any knock-on effects , such as missing pre-booked hotels, transfers, tours, or other arrangements, are not something travel insurance can reimburse.

The only way these kinds of connected arrangements are protected is if you booked the whole trip as part of a package holiday with a UK tour operator. Under the UK Package Travel Regulations 2018, the organiser is responsible for the proper performance of all parts of the package, and you have rights to redress if services cannot be provided as contracted.

For backpacking trips, you’ll usually need a policy designed for longer stays abroad rather than a standard short holiday policy.

Our Single Trip travel insurance is built for extended journeys and covers you from the day you leave the UK until the day you return home. Whether you're taking a gap year, travelling between jobs, or heading off on a long-term adventure, it’s designed to support you throughout your trip.

Depending on the level of cover you choose, it can include:

• Emergency medical expenses and repatriation
• Cancellation and curtailment cover (Standard and Premier policies)
• Protection for lost, stolen or damaged baggage
• Optional add-ons for gadgets and higher-risk activities

This makes it a strong option for backpackers travelling for weeks, months, or even longer, especially if your plans include multiple destinations or activities along the way.

Standard terms and conditions apply.

The Big Cat Travel Insurance policy generally covers personal liability for various situations, but liability while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle (car, motorbike, moped) is excluded from cover. This is because personal liability for accidents involving motor vehicles is usually covered by car / motorbike insurance, not travel insurance.

For full terms and conditions please refer to the Big Cat policy wording document. If you have any questions feel free to contact our team on 0333 003 3161.

Statutory cancellation rights

You may cancel this policy within 14 days of receipt of the policy documents by writing to Big Cat Insurance.

Any premium already paid will be refunded to you providing you have not travelled, no claim has been made or is intended to be made and no incident likely to give rise to a claim has occurred.

Cancellation outside the statutory 14 day cooling off period

You may cancel this policy at any time after the statutory 14 day cooling off period by writing to Big Cat Travel Insurance.

If you cancel after the statutory 14 day cooling off period no premium refund will be made.

If you have purchased a policy while already travelling, no refund of premium will be made.

If you have purchased a policy that is less than 24 months in duration, you can extend this by using our online extension portal which is found here - https://www.bigcattravelinsurance.com/extend-my-policy/. This can be done anywhere in the world and can even be done by a family member on your behalf if you provide them with your policy details to log in.

If you have purchased a 24 month policy with us, we could not extend that particular policy any further, however, you could always purchase a new policy via our website, just make sure to indicate that you are already travelling outside of the UK.

If you would like to extend your cover but make certain changes (like adding / removing optional extras and add-ons) just give us a call or send us an email and we can assist you this way instead.

If your airline cancels your flight you should contact the airline directly for reimbursement of your ticket. If your trip was booked as a package holiday, you should contact your tour operator to arrange alternative travel. Your Big Cat travel insurance policy will not cover financial losses for cancelled flights if you are not reimbursed by the airline or travel provider. If your trip needs to be extended as a result of flight cancellation, this policy will remain in force until completion but not exceeding a further 31 days on a day by day basis, without additional premium.

Policies purchased from 10/12/2021 will continue to provide cover (including medical cover for COVID-19) if you decide to travel against the advice of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), provided that the reason for your travel is essential.

Some permitted/essential reasons for travel are:

• Essential business travel which cannot be delayed
• Visiting your second home to prepare for guests for essential rental income / carry out maintenance where no one else can undertake the role etc.
• Caring for your grandchildren overseas where no local alternatives exist.
• Visiting elderly relatives to provide support/respite where medically necessary
• Visiting a close relative who is in intensive care in a hospital or has unexpectedly been given a terminal prognosis with a short life expectancy
• Funeral of a close relative
• Moving abroad for full-time short term placements
• IEC Visa (International Experience Canada)
• Volunteer / Educational trips /study abroad / taking part in a course
• Buying, selling or renting residential property
• Maternity services  where local services are not appropriate
• To avoid injury or illness or escape the risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).
• Weddings and civil partnerships of an insured or immediate family member
• Transit passengers
• To fulfill legal obligations
• To exercise custody rights

If you are prevented from completing your travel before the date your policy expires as stated under the period of insurance on your booking validation certificate (as applicable) for reasons which are beyond your control, including ill health or failure of public transport, this policy will remain in force until completion but not exceeding a further 31 days on a day by day basis, without additional premium.

All of Big Cat’s policies cover you for a depth of up to 18 meters. But if you plan to go deeper then you’ll need to opt for our Activity Pack or Extreme Activity Pack add-ons which will cover you up to a maximum depth of 40 meters. For your safety, we require divers to hold a British Sub Aqua Club certificate or equivalent and follow the relevant Club rules and guidelines at all times. Alternatively, you must only dive under the constant supervision of a properly licensed diving school and follow their rules and instructions at all times. No air travel is permitted within 24 hours of scuba diving to avoid any risk of decompression sickness (DCS).

INSURANCE FOR J1 VISA HOLDERS

Big Cat Travel Insurance is pleased to be able to offer the requisite insurance for holders of J1 visas to work or study in the United States. This US government programme promotes cultural exchange for UK and other foreign nationals to enable them to obtain medical, business or educational experience in the USA. Primarily intended to benefit research scholars, professors, medics and scientists, J1 visas can also be obtained for non-specialist placements such as an au pair, youth camp counsellor or company intern. You’ll need to be sponsored either by a university, a UK government department, or by a private sector business, and you must be proficient in English.

All J1 visa holders and all J2 visa holders (for spouses and dependents of J-1 exchange visitors) must have the appropriate level of medical insurance for the programme for which they are being sponsored as a strict condition of the visa. Remember that there is no NHS in the US and medical or hospitalization costs can be hugely expensive.

Fortunately, Big Cat Travel Insurance can put your mind at rest by providing exactly the cover required for all these eventualities, which specifically includes medical insurance, as well as repatriation and repatriation of remains - mandatory requirements for this type of visa.

With a Single Trip or One Way policy we do not require any of the following:

• return tickets (flights or other means of transport),
• proof of return,
• proof of intent to return

Exception* Please note, under our Curtailment section of cover, there is no cover for any emergency return travel expenses if you do not have a pre-booked return ticket in the first place.

No, there’s no set amount of days we require you to have been home for. As long as you are still a permanent resident of the United Kingdom we can provide coverage.

Riding a motorbike or scooter up to 125cc does not require an Activity Pack add-on.

Riding a motorbike over 125cc can be covered with our Activity Pack add-on.

If you are a pillion passenger on a motorcycle tour, such as the Ha Giang Loop, this is covered automatically and does not require any Activity Packs or any relevant licences.

When riding, you must always ensure you:

• Wear an appropriate crash helmet.
• Obey the Local road rules and laws
• Have the relevant licence(s) required to ride a motorcycle in the country or countries you will be riding in. If the country you’re in requires you to obtain a specific in-country licence to legally ride a motorcycle, then to be covered, you must obtain this licence.
• If all that’s required is an International Driving Permit (IDP), and you hold an IDP, then there’s no need to go about getting any more licences.
• Be aware that an IDP will only allow you to ride the same class of vehicle as your home licence allows. So, if you’re not licensed to ride a motorbike at home, you’re not licensed to ride a motorbike abroad under your IDP. It's up to you to make sure you are licensed for the type of motorcycle you hire.
• You should always ensure the bike is fully insured (motor insurance arranged by the company that owns the bike) as there is no Personal Lability cover whilst riding a bike. We cannot cover any participation in competitions or racing or any kind.

If you're prevented from completing your travels before your insurance expires, for reasons beyond your control, the insurance will remain in force until your travels are completed.

Make sure you get proof of delay, in writing, from the Airline confirming the reason for the delay and departure times!

We strive to deliver exceptional service, but if we ever fall short of your expectations, please inform us so we can work to improve your experience.

To reach our customer relations team, you can write to: Customer Relations, Big Cat Travel Insurance, 118 Cricklewood Lane, London NW2 2DP. Or, you can email us at complaints@bigcattravelinsurance.com

For complaints regarding the sale of your Policy or the customer service received, please contact: The General Manager, Big Cat Travel Insurance, 118 Cricklewood Lane, London NW2 2DP. Or, you can email us at  complaints@bigcattravelinsurance.com

Emergency dental costs to relieve pain and suffering are covered with all of our policies, up to a maximum of £350.

Asthma controlled by no more than 2 inhalers is automatically covered with all of our policies. There's no need to declare it.

(Diagnosis must have been made when the affected person was under the age of 50)

You do not need to call the medical screening helpline in respect of the following automatically covered pre-existing medical conditions, as they are automatically covered at no additional premium provided you do not also have a pre-existing medical condition. If you have a pre-existing medical condition in addition to any of the following automatically covered pre-existing medical conditions all conditions will be excluded from cover, unless disclosed to the medical screening helpline and additional cover agreed in writing.

Acne,
ADHD,
Allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) provided that you have not needed hospital treatment for this in the last 2 years,
Allergic rhinitis,
Arthritis (the affected person must be able to walk independently at home without using mobility aids),
Asthma (the diagnosis must have been made when the affected person was under the age of 50, and the asthma be controlled by no more than 2 inhalers and no other medication),

Blindness or partial sightedness,

Carpal tunnel syndrome,
Cataracts,
Chicken pox – if completely resolved,
Common cold or flu,
Cuts and abrasions that are not self-inflicted and require no further treatment,
Cystitis – provided there is no on-going treatment,

Deafness,
Diabetes (which is controlled by diet or tablets only),
Diarrhoea and vomiting – if completely resolved,

Eczema,
Enlarged prostate – benign only,
Essential tremor,

Glaucoma,
Gout,

Haemorrhoids,
Hay fever,

Ligament or tendon injury – provided you are not currently being treated,

Macular degeneration,
Menopause,
Migraine – provided there are no on-going investigations,

Nasal polyps,

PMT,

RSI, Sinusitis – provided there is no on-going treatment,

Skin or wound infections that have completely resolved with no current treatment,

Tinnitus,

Under active Thyroid (Hypothyroidism),
Urticaria,

Varicose veins in the legs.

To declare any pre-existing medical conditions,

please visit our online medical screening

If you would rather undergo your medical screening by telephone,

please get in touch with us on 01702 427237 and any of our agents will be happy to assist you.

This is a secure and confidential service which allows you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have,

as defined by your Big Cat policy wording.

To declare any pre-existing medical conditions, please visit our online medical screening service.

If you would rather undergo your medical screening by telephone, please get in touch with our medical screening team at CSAL on 01702 427237 and an agent will be happy to assist you.
This is a secure and confidential service which allows you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have, as defined by your Big Cat policy wording.
Whilst the medical screening helpline is optional we highly recommend it as it ensures that if anything happens to you on your trip caused by your pre-existing medical condition, you are completely covered.

You will be advised whether the Pre-Existing Medical Condition may be covered, an optional additional premium may be quoted and whether any amendments will be made to the policy terms and conditions. During this process you will be asked for your personal and travel details, additionally, please have your insurance policy to hand if known. 

If terms can be provided for the condition and you elect to take up the offer of the additional cover, you will be given a medical screening reference number and a letter will be sent to you upon receipt of payment. Any additional premiums must be paid directly to the medical screening helpline.

Should you not contact the medical screening helpline or not wish to take advantage of the optional terms quoted by the medical screening helpline, you will not be covered for any claims arising directly or indirectly from a Pre-existing Medical Condition.

There is no cancellation or curtailment cover for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition of persons who are not covered by your policy such as a Close Relative, unless disclosed to the medical screening helpline by that same Close Relative and additional cover agreed.

Definition of a Pre-Existing Medical Condition:

a) Any respiratory condition (relating to the lungs or breathing), heart condition, stroke, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, allergy, cancer, psychiatric or psychological condition (including anxiety, stress and depression for which you have received treatment (including surgery, tests or investigations by your doctor or a consultant/specialist or prescribed medication) in the last five years.

 b) Any Medical Condition for which you (or any other person not necessarily travelling but upon whom travel depends such as a Close Relative) have received surgery, in-patient treatment or investigations in a hospital or clinic within the last twelve months, or prescribed drugs/medication.

Residents of the United Kingdom MUST enrol with MEDICARE should you require medical treatment in Australia. Registering can be done after the first occasion on which you receive treatment at www.humanservices.gov.au/customerjects/medicare-services. In Patient and out-patient treatment in a public hospital may then be subsidised. Should you be admitted to hospital then immediate contact must be made with the Medical Emergency Assistance Service and their authority obtained in respect of any treatment not available under MEDICARE before such treatment is provided.
Your failure to register with MEDICARE or to contact the Medical Emergency Assistance Service may result in a claim being reduced or declined.

With a Single Trip or One Way policy we do not require any of the following:

• return tickets (flights or other means of transport),
• proof of return,
• proof of intent to return

Exception* Please note, under our Curtailment section of cover, there is no cover for any emergency return travel expenses if you do not have a pre-booked return ticket in the first place.

Cancellation cover starts when you purchase the policy. So, for example, if your departure date is in 2 months and you set your travel insurance to commence on that date, but you purchase cover today, your cancellation cover will start today.

Mother, father, sister, brother, wife, husband, partner (including common law and civil partnerships), son, daughter (including fostered/adopted), grandparent, grandchild, parent in law, son in law, daughter in law, brother in law, sister in law, step parent, step child, step sister, step brother or legal guardian.

Personal Accident cover isn’t quite what it sounds like. If you have an accident and fall over and break your wrist, that’s covered under normal Medical Expenses. Personal Accident is basically: Loss of sight, loss of limb or permanent disablement.

What the Policy says under Section B. Personal Accident:

In the event of the Insured Person sustaining bodily injury arising wholly and exclusively from violent accidental external and visible means which injury shall solely and independently of any other cause result in his/her death or disablement within twelve calendar months of the injury, the Insurer hereby agrees to pay up to the amount shown in the Table of Benefits applicable to the type of policy purchased and shown on the Validation Certificate.

Provided that:

1. A) the death benefit payable is reduced to £1,000 if the Insured Person is under 16 years of age or 66 years of age or over at the time of death B) the total compensation in respect of any one Insured Person shall not exceed £10,000 for BUDGET Policies, £15,000 forSTANDARD Policies or £25,000 for PREMIER Policies.

Definitions

Loss of Limbs: loss or severance at or above the wrist or ankle or total permanent loss of use of an entire arm or leg.

Loss of Sight: total and irrecoverable loss of sight which shall be

considered as having occurred:

1. a) in both eyes if your name is added to the Register of Blind Persons on the authority of a fully qualified ophthalmic specialist.
2. b) in one eye if the degree of sight remaining after correction is 3/60 or less on the Snellen Scale.

Permanent Total Disablement: A disability which has lasted for at least 12 months from which the Insurer believes the Insured Person will never recover and which prevents them from carrying out any gainful occupation for which they are reasonably qualified by way of training, education or experience.

Special Condition

If an Insured Person was already disabled before the bodily injury or already had a condition which is gradually getting worse, the Insurer may reduce their payment. Any reduced payment will be based on their medical assessment of the difference between:

1. the disability after the bodily injury; and
2. the extent to which the disability is affected by the disability or condition before the Accident.

Temporary return to home country (Single trip policies only) Where cover has been purchased for a total duration of 4 months or more, and you want to return to your home country during the period of insurance for any reason that is not directly or indirectly caused by arising or resulting from, or in connection with a claim under this insurance all cover under this policy will be suspended from the time that you clear customs in your home country and restarts after the baggage check in at the international departure point for the return flights, international train or ferry to the overseas destination. Any illness, disease, injuries, accidents which existed, showed symptoms or were diagnosed in the previous trip(s) during this period of insurance will not be covered in the restarted period of insurance.

1. Delayed Departure or Arrival
a) If the departure of the aircraft, train or sea vessel in which the Insured Person has arranged to travel is delayed for at least 12 hours from the departure time specified in the travel itinerary, or if the arrival of the aircraft, train or sea vessel at destination is at least 12 hours later than the time specified in the travel itinerary, due to Strike or Industrial Action, disruption, Terrorism (including Cyber Terrorism), adverse weather conditions, or mechanical breakdown of the aircraft, train or sea vessel.

The Insurer will pay £25 for each complete 12 hour period of delay commencing from the original booked departure time or arrival time specified in the travel itinerary up to £100 each Insured Person

b) If the departure of the aircraft, train or sea vessel in which the Insured Person has arranged to travel is delayed for at least 12 hours from the departure time specified in the travel itinerary, or if the arrival of the aircraft, train or sea vessel at destination is at least 12 hours later than the time specified in the travel itinerary, due to Strike or Industrial Action, Terrorism, adverse weather conditions, or mechanical breakdown of the aircraft, train or sea vessel.

The Insurer will pay Irrecoverable Payments and Charges made for the travel, accommodation, tours or excursions up to the amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits applicable to the type of policy purchased and shown on the Validation Certificate for each Insured Person.

*Please note: The above cover is not applicable to BUDGET policies.

Yes, loss, theft or damage up to the amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits applicable to the type of policy purchased for:
1. Baggage. The amount payable will be the value at today’s prices less the deduction for wear, tear and depreciation.
2. Personal Monies. Cash, Bank or Currency notes, including reasonable expenses incurred as a result of loss, theft or damage.
3. Tickets. Air or other tickets including reasonable expenses incurred as a result of loss, theft or damage.
4. Passport or Visas. In respect of the cost of an emergency replacement or temporary passport or visa obtained whilst abroad including reasonable and receipted expenses incurred to obtain the same.
5. Temporary Loss of Baggage. If Baggage is temporarily lost for more than 12 hours by an airline, railway or shipping company on the outward journey, for the purchase of immediate necessities the Insurer will pay the Insured Person up to the amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits applicable to the type of policy purchased and shown on the Validation Certificate when supported by receipts, but this will be deducted from the final claim if the loss is permanent.

Big Cat offers 3 levels of cover, Budget, Standard and Premier. Our Standard and Premier policies are available for a single or annual multi-trip, to anyone under the age of 70. Our cheaper Budget policy is only available for single trips to anyone under the age of 51.

Please visit - ONLINE CLAIMS

Yes! We specialise in covering people who’ve already left their Home Country, as long as you haven't picked up permanent residency status in another country.

If cover is purchased after an Insured Person has departed their home to commence their journey, there is a fixed period of 48 hours prior to cover commencing. For cover to apply the Already Travelling extension must be shown on your Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate (as applicable). Any illness arising during this initial 48 hour period will be an excluded Pre-existing Medical Condition. In the event of serious injury in connection with an accident, you will be covered from the date you take out cover subject to the accident being independently witnessed and also verified by a Medical Practitioner.

There is a 48 hour waiting period for already travelling policies to commence. Otherwise, cover comes into effect immediately on the cover start date.

Please refer to the above FAQ's or our policy wording for full details.

Yes! We specialise in covering people who’ve already left their Home Country, as long as you haven't picked up permanent residency status in another country.

If cover is purchased after an Insured Person has departed their home to commence their journey, there is a fixed period of 48 hours prior to cover commencing. For cover to apply the Already Travelling extension must be shown on your Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate (as applicable). Any illness arising during this initial 48 hour period will be an excluded Pre-existing Medical Condition. In the event of serious injury in connection with an accident, you will be covered from the date you take out cover subject to the accident being independently witnessed and also verified by a Medical Practitioner.

Yes! We specialise in covering people who’ve already left their Home Country, as long as you haven't picked up permanent residency status in another country.

If cover is purchased after an Insured Person has departed their home to commence their journey, there is a fixed period of 48 hours prior to cover commencing. For cover to apply the Already Travelling extension must be shown on your Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate (as applicable). Any illness arising during this initial 48 hour period will be an excluded Pre-existing Medical Condition. In the event of serious injury in connection with an accident, you will be covered from the date you take out cover subject to the accident being independently witnessed and also verified by a Medical Practitioner.

The Additional Mountain Rescue section of cover is a specific level of cover that takes effect when helicopter rescue is deemed necessary by the local Rescue Authorities due to a non-medical emergency such as natural disasters or adverse weather conditions.

This section of cover does not apply to Medically Necessary helicopter evacuations - these costs are covered under the Medical & Repatriation section of cover.

When travelling to remote areas, it is strongly recommended that you go in a group, carry a working two-way communication device and navigation equipment, and ensure someone is aware of your planned route and expected return time.

Search and rescue costs, including helicopter rescue, may be considered for cover subject to the policy’s terms and conditions, provided the incident is notified to and approved by the insurer’s medical emergency assistance department. You must also hold the appropriate activity pack to ensure cover extends to the activity you are undertaking at the time of the incident.

To add any of our Activity Packs, just follow the Quote form - to stage 3 - there you will find all of the optional extras.

We have no upper altitude limit with our Extreme Activity Pack Add-on. Otherwise, with the Activity Pack you can trek up to 4,600m. And if you're only trekking up to 2,500m, there's no need to add anything on - Trekking up to 2,500m is one of the 64 activities we cover for free.

Please note for trekking in Nepal the Nepal Trekking Pack add-on will need to be included. A 7,000m altitude limit is applied to this.

How do you include these Add-ons? See question below.

Yes, Helicopter Rescue is covered.

Helicopter rescue is classed as a necessary Medical Expense, so is covered by the Medical & Repatriation expenses section of cover (limit of either £2m, £5m or £10m depending on the policy)

To get a quote, please visit our Trekking Insurance page by following this link.

Means WWOOFing, fruit picking, casual farm work. Other Manual Work can be covered as long as it does not involve the use of plant/trade/industrial/agricultural machinery (other than tractors) or non-domestic power tools.

Please get in touch if you'd like to find out if we can provide cover for any light manual work you will be doing.

WWOOfing is classed as Permitted Manual Work, so with the Activity Pack, you’re covered.

(see above)

Yes, bar work or working in a chalet is automatically covered with all of our policies.

Non-manual/clerical work is covered automatically with a Big Cat policy. So, there’s nothing you need to add to be covered for things like teaching, caring or nursing.

With the Activity Pack, we can also cover work of a more manual nature. This can include things like WWOOFing, partaking in community or wildlife based conservation work, charity based supervised building / renovation projects or other permitted manual work (defined below).

Cover is excluded for any activity that involves the use of industrial machinery (other than tractors) or non-domestic power tools.

We have no limits on how many countries you travel to or how long you stay in each country for (as long as you don’t become a permanent resident there!). By “Single Trip” we mean one trip away from home, it can be to as many countries as you like.

Yes, all our policies meet the medical requirements for entry to Cuba.

No, North America is classed just as the USA, Canada and Mexico. The Caribbean and surrounding islands are covered under Area: “Worldwide exc. North America”.

Any countries within the continent of Europe, West of the Ural Mountains. Includes the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Iceland, Jordan, Madeira, the Canary, Azores and Mediterranean Islands as well as all countries bordering the Mediterranean.

Area 1: UNITED KINGDOM ONLY
Whilst insurance is available for holidays in the United Kingdom, Section A. Medical Expenses and Personal Liability. 1. Medical and Associated Expenses, 2. In Patient Benefit and 3. Criminal Injuries Benefit shall be inoperative if an Insured Person’s Home Country is the United Kingdom.

Area 2: EUROPE
Europe means the continent of Europe West of the Ural Mountains, and includes the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Iceland, Jordan, Madeira, the Canary, Azores and Mediterranean Islands as well as all countries bordering the Mediterranean.

Area 3: AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND
(a) For any period of cover purchased Area 3 can include a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel.
(b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more Area 3 can be extended to include a maximum of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World.

Area 4: WORLDWIDE EXCLUDING NORTH AMERICA
North America means the USA ,Canada & Mexico.
(a) For any period of cover purchased Area 4 can include a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the world for both outward and return travel.
(b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more Area 4 can be extended to include a maximum of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World.

Area 5: WORLDWIDE INCLUDING NORTH AMERICA
Includes travel to the USA, Canada & Mexico.

A One Way policy is intended to cover 2 types of travel:

Emigrating to a country where you intend to live permanently

For Example:
You're moving to Australia, permanently, but are travelling through Europe and then onto South East Asia before you arrive in Australia.
You're moving to New Zealand, and are taking a direct flight. (A stopover of 48 hours anywhere in the world is included)

or

Returning to your home country permanently.

For Example:
you've been in the UK under a temporary working holiday visa, it has come to an end and you need cover for your flight back home.

If none of the above is applicable to you, please select Single Trip.

Please note all cover ceases upon arrival at final destination.

With our Standard policy, the maximum trip duration is 35 days. With our Premier policy, the maximum trip duration is 90 days. If you’re going away for longer than the amount of days your policy permits, you will have no cover for the entire duration. So you can’t go away for 36 / 91 days expecting to be covered for the first 35 / 90, as cover for the entire period is invalid if your itinerary exceeds the specified amount of days!

An Annual Multi Trip policy is designed for people taking multiple holidays a year, with a maximum duration of 35 or 90 days each holiday (depending on the level of cover required), departing from and returning to their country of residence.

Yes, that’s not a problem. Just call us on 0333 003 3161 or send us an email at info@bigcattravelinsurance.com with your name and policy number and what you need changes you need and we’ll get back to you.

Alternatively, visit the extend page here. Fill out the form, tell us what you need and we’ll get back to you.

Yes, extensions to your current Travel Insurance policy are easily arranged, even if your current policy isn’t with us.

If you do have a policy with us and need to extend it, visit the extension page here.

If you don’t currently have a policy with us, follow the Get a Quote form. (Be sure to select Yes to the “Are you already travelling?” question!)

The Big Cat Travel Insurance policy generally covers personal liability for various situations, but liability while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle (car, motorbike, moped) is excluded from cover. This is because personal liability for accidents involving motor vehicles is usually covered by car / motorbike insurance, not travel insurance.

For full terms and conditions please refer to the Big Cat policy wording document. If you have any questions feel free to contact our team on 0333 003 3161.

Statutory cancellation rights

You may cancel this policy within 14 days of receipt of the policy documents by writing to Big Cat Insurance.

Any premium already paid will be refunded to you providing you have not travelled, no claim has been made or is intended to be made and no incident likely to give rise to a claim has occurred.

Cancellation outside the statutory 14 day cooling off period

You may cancel this policy at any time after the statutory 14 day cooling off period by writing to Big Cat Travel Insurance.

If you cancel after the statutory 14 day cooling off period no premium refund will be made.

If you have purchased a policy while already travelling, no refund of premium will be made.

As of July 2025, Our policy is underwritten by Hamilton Insurance DAC, who are authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland.

In the unlikely event of the Insurer being unable to meet their liabilities, you may be entitled to compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Their contact details are: Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Tel: 0800 678 1100 or 020 7741 4100.

Big Cat Travel Insurance is a trading name of Flynow.com Limited (FRN 1022075) who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You may check this on the Financial Services register www.fca.org.uk or by contacting them on Tel: +44 (0) 800 111 6768.