Planning a trip with your Girlguiding group? Whether you’re heading off on an adventure within Europe or further afield, travel insurance might not be the most exciting part of your planning – but it is one of the most important!
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key things to know about travel insurance for Girlguiding trips, helping you feel confident and prepared. Whilst we won’t be promoting any specific provider, the advice here will help guide your group in the right direction.
Why travel insurance is necessary
Many group leaders ask: ‘We all have GHICs (Global Health Insurance Cards). Isn’t that enough?’
To summarise: no, unfortunately, a GHIC (or the older EHIC) is not a substitute for travel insurance.
Whilst a GHIC can provide access to state healthcare in many European countries, it won’t cover:
- Private medical treatment
- Costs of cancelling your trip
- Travel delays or interruptions
- Repatriation to the UK
- Lost or stolen belongings
- Mountain rescue or sports-related injuries
Travel insurance is designed to cover those gaps, therefore giving you peace of mind that your group is protected for the unexpected.
We also recommend you check FCDO travel advice on the UK government website for the country you’re visiting.
When does travel insurance kick in?
Travel insurance usually includes two main areas of cover: before you travel and during your trip.
- Pre-departure cover (such as cancellation protection) typically starts from the moment your group books the trip and either includes insurance in the package or pays the insurance premium.
- If you add insurance later, cancellation cover begins once the premium has been paid.
Once your group sets off on the trip, the rest of the policy kicks in, covering you for things like medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost luggage.
Top Tip: Always check your policy start date and make sure you’ve received your full policy documents.
Can we choose our own insurance?
Absolutely! You’re not locked into one option.
If you prefer to use a different insurance provider, that’s your choice. But it’s vital that every group member has suitable cover in place, as this is often a requirement of group trip bookings (this includes when you book with us).
If you’re arranging your own policy, make sure it includes:
- Medical expenses
- Cancellation cover
- Personal possessions and baggage
- Emergency assistance
- Activities you plan to take part in (especially adventure or outdoor ones)
- Cover for any pre-existing medical conditions
Note: Insurance policies can vary quite a bit. It’s always worth reading the fine print or contacting your insurer if you’re unsure what’s covered.
Final thoughts
Travel insurance may not be the most exciting part of your trip plans, but it’s a key part of helping things go smoothly if anything unexpected happens. By making sure your group is properly covered, you’re protecting not just the trip, but the people who make it special!
So, before you zip up your rucksack and set out on your next Girlguiding adventure, take a moment to double-check your cover. It’s one of the smartest bits of prep you can do!
Check out our FAQs page for more!
- Quick Checklist for Travel Insurance
- Every member of the group has travel insurance
- GHIC/EHIC is up to date (but not relied on alone)
- Insurance includes all planned activities
- Policy start date and documents are confirmed
- Emergency contacts and documents are accessible
- Cover for any pre-existing medical conditions
Unforgettable Memories Await!
It’s time to start planning your next Guide adventure – think Switzerland, think Norway, think Belgium… the world is your oyster! Chat with our team today to get started.
