Key Features
Medical Conditions Covered
Subject to a medical screening, Longstay & Backpacker can cover the majority of medical conditions.
Extended Trip Cover for Senior travellers
Travellers up to the age of 75 in Europe and 69 worldwide can benefit from a Longstay policy.
Ideal for Solo Travellers or Couples
With up to £3,500 cancellation cover, the policy gives the essentials needed for typical extended trips overseas.
Return Home
Up to 4 visits home can be planned during a policy – priceless for breaks to spend holidays or special occasions with family & friends.
3 Levels of Cover
Choose from Standard, Longstay and Longstay Plus, each with different levels of cover and limits.
Work or Study Abroad Placement
For an additional premium, a study or work placement extension will cover tuition fees if unable to travel, or the trip has to be cut short.
This is an essential policy for those taking extended trips such as a gap year, round-the-world trips, or studying abroad. Longstay travel insurance is a specialist package which is different to standard holiday insurance. It’s geared to people going on long trips for up to 18 months.
For those wishing to return home part way through, Longstay allows you to return home, say, at Christmas or Easter, for up to four visits.
Ready to explore the world?
Gap years may be thought of as just for young people. However, Longstay also provides cover for those young at heart – aged up to 75. For travellers dreaming of extended trips, 100 activities are included automatically for free. Gadget cover is included too so you can capture & share memories of a lifetime with everyone back home.
What’s Covered
Please note that the following tables reflect a summary of cover available on the policy. You can find full cover detail, including terms and conditions, on your policy wording.
Longstay offers the choice of three distinct cover levels: Standard, Longstay and Longstay Plus. In each, cover is structured in sections.
Additionally, a Study or Work Placement Extension (SWPE) is available for an additional premium.
Please use the tabs to explore different sections of cover.
Limit
Limit
cover limit
per person
£10 after each following full 12 hours
up to a maximum of £100
£15 after each following full 12 hours
up to a maximum of £145
no cover for valuables
maximum of £750 in total
£250 in total for all valuables
maximum of £2,000 in total
£400 in total for all valuables
maximum of £2,500 in total
Limit
Limit
cover limit
per person
£500 in total
£500 in total
£50 other claims
limit
limit
cover limit
per person
- This is an optional policy extension available for an additional premium
Eligibility & Restrictions
Eligibility
Those taking out or named on a policy must be resident in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) the Channel Islands, or a BFPO area.
Age Limits
Longstay & Longstay Plus cover are available up to the age of 75 for European policies, and 69 for worldwide policies on the date the policy is purchased.
Standard policies are available to those up to age 39 on the date the policy is purchased.
Trip Limits
Policies can cover periods of 1 month up to a maximum of 18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
There follow some commonly asked questions to give you more information about Longstay Travel Insurance and the cover offered. If you have a question that is not answered below, please reach out using the options on the contact us form at the bottom of the page.
Please use the options at the top to explore each section. Each question can be expanded in turn by clicking on it.
Can I extend my cover if I am currently on a trip?
We may be able to, provided the extended period does not mean you exceed the maximum trip duration your policy will allow, and:
- it hasn’t expired
- the extended trip is to the same location or geographical area
- no claims have been made or are to be submitted
- there has been no change in medical conditions or your health since the trip commenced.
Please contact the sales team to discuss this further on +44 (0) 2392 419 011 (lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm GMT, closed Bank Holidays).
Please ensure you contact us prior to your cover expiring as we cannot extend an expired policy.
Please Note: Extension requests cannot be accepted by voicemail or email.
Am I able to return home, and then resume my trip?
Yes, the policy allows you to return home for up to two visits, each up to a maximum of 21 days per visit during the policy period if buying the ‘Standard’ or ‘Longstay’ cover, or up to four visits, each up to a maximum of 31 days per visit during the policy period if buying the ‘Longstay PLUS’ cover.
Please note, cover is suspended during the period at home.
Who are the Insurers?
Your policy is underwritten by Collinson Insurance. Collinson Insurance (a trading name of Astrenska Insurance Limited) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, under Firm Reference Number 202846. Registered in England number 01708613.
Gadget Cover is administered by Bastion Insurance Services Ltd and underwritten 100% by Collinson Insurance.
Collinson Insurance (a trading name of Astrenska Insurance Limited) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, under Firm Reference Number 202846.
Your policy is arranged by:
This policy is arranged and administered by PJ Hayman & Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered No. 2534965. Registered Office: Stansted House, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire PO9 6DX. P J Hayman & Company Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Register number 497103.
Do I need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)/Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
The EHIC allows you to access state provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland. Your EHIC will be accepted for the remainder of its validity. If you do not have a valid EHIC you will need to apply for a GHIC.
For more information or to apply for your GHIC visit the GHIC website or call: 0300 330 1350.
Presenting your EHIC/GHIC at a public medical facility will allow you to obtain treatment at a reduced cost and in many cases free of charge, provided you are a UK or BFPO resident (please note if you reside in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands you are not eligible for an EHIC/GHIC). You must carry it with you when travelling abroad. Remember to check your EHIC/GHIC is still valid before you travel.
If you are travelling outside the EEA then there are some countries that have reciprocal agreements with the UK and these can be found on the NHS website.
Can you resend my policy to me?
Yes. Please send us a message with your policy number (if known), the lead name and the address (for verification) and we will then resend the policy.
What Coronavirus cover is provided?
You are covered for Emergency Medical Expenses if you fall ill with COVID-19 whilst on your trip. This includes cover for any reasonable accommodation and/or travelling expenses as well as the cost of any necessary repatriation expenses to the UK.
This cover is not provided, however, where you have travelled against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or against medical advice.
What you are not covered for:
- You won’t be covered if you have to cancel or cut your trip short as a result of any travel restrictions such as a national or local lockdown or if the FCDO is advising against all (but essential) travel due to COVID-19 or any other epidemic or pandemic.
- You also won’t be covered where you need to claim for cancelling or cutting your trip short as a result of any need to self-isolate or quarantine.
- Any claims as a result of your airline or travel provider becoming insolvent or having an administrator appointed and being unable to provide agreed services are not covered.
- We won't cover you if you change your mind and decide you do not want to travel.
Can you use the information from my last policy?
Your medical information and the medical questions we ask you can change, so we aren’t able to transfer your medical information to a new policy. We will need to ask you for some information again to make sure your policy is correct and valid in case you need to make a claim.
Can I remove the policy excess?
Yes, you can select the ‘Excess waiver’ option during the quote process, by paying an additional premium. The standard excess will then be reduced to ‘nil’.
Note: the excess would still apply for Gadget cover and where any additional excess has been imposed following a call to declare a medical condition.
Am I covered for sports & activities?
Longstay & Backpacker includes a wide range of sports and work activities that are automatically covered as standard (Activity Pack 1).
Others (Activity Packs 2- 4) may be covered on payment of an additional premium.
Please view all sports and activities covered in the policy document on pages 28-31. If you wish to take part in an activity not shown in the Activity Packs, please contact us on 02392 419 044, as we may still be able to provide cover.
Do you have a 24-hour Medical Emergency Assistance Service?
Longstay Travel Insurance has a 24 hour medical emergency and repatriation service provided by Healix Medical Assistance.
Tel. +44 (0)208 608 4254
Further details of this service are shown in your Insurance Policy.
Staff are on call 24 hours a day throughout the year. They will, when necessary, guarantee medical bills and arrange repatriation if required.
In the event of a medical emergency whilst abroad, do I have to pay my medical bills myself?
If you are asked to pay a small bill for medicines and/or outpatient treatment it is often easier to settle your bill direct, keep all receipts and claim for the costs incurred on your return home. It is very important to obtain an itemised receipt for any monies paid for medical treatment.
If you are admitted as an inpatient or outpatient treatment is likely to exceed £500, then you must contact the 24 hour Medical Emergency Assistance Service as soon as possible. They will then arrange for medical expenses covered by the policy to be paid direct to the hospital/clinic.
How do I make a claim?
See the claims section for details.
Full details of what you need to do to make a claim are also shown in your Insurance Policy.
Please note: You will be expected to follow the claims procedure shown in your Insurance Policy and to substantiate your claim by providing supporting documents.
How can I pay for my policy?
You can pay by debit or credit card. We accept Mastercard and Visa.
Is your website secure?
Yes. The security of your personal information and payment details is of utmost importance to us. We use 128-bit encrypted SSL to help keep all of your data safe.
How will I receive my travel insurance policy documents?
Policy documents will be available to download upon completion of purchase. They can also be accessed via the customer portal. Instructions on how to set this up will be emailed to the lead traveller once the policy is purchased.
Do I need to take my policy documents with me?
Yes, you should print a copy of your Schedule and Policy Documents and carry them with you.
The Policy Document includes important telephone numbers including the Medical Emergency Assistance Service that is available to you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for advice, assistance, making arrangements for hospital admission, repatriation, and authorisation of medical expenses.
Can I get my money back if I want to cancel my policy?
If you are not completely satisfied with the cover provided, you may return your policy to us within 14 days on receipt of your policy documents. Provided that you have not already travelled and are not making a claim, your premium will be refunded in full.
Important Information
Emergency Assistance
For Medical Emergencies:
Call the medical assistance number: +44 (0)208 608 4254, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the world.
For non-emergency cases, visits to doctors, hospital outpatients, or pharmacies you must keep and provide us with all (original) receipts accounts and medical certificates.
This is a travel insurance policy and not private medical insurance. This means there is no cover for any medical expenses incurred in private medical facilities if we have confirmed that medically capable public facilities are available.
Claims Notification
Claims for canellation, delayed departure or personal possessions
Telephone P J Hayman & Company Limited: +44 (0)2392 419 866 (open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)
Gadget Cover
Please notify the claims handler as soon as possible but ideally within 48 hours of your return to the UK.
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 745566
Email: claims@theoxfordclaimscompany.co.uk
To log a claim, please visit the Oxford Claims Company website.
How To Make A Complaint
We are dedicated to providing you with high-quality service and want to ensure that this is maintained at all times. If you feel that we have not offered a first-class service or you have any questions or concerns about this Policy or the handling of your claim, please contact us, quoting Agreement Reference Number B6151PJH2024, and we will do our best to resolve the problem.
If you have any questions or concerns about the insurance or the handling of a claim, you should, in the first instance, contact your Scheme Administrator:
Compliance Manager
PJ Hayman & Company Limited
Stansted House
Rowlands Castle
Hampshire
PO9 6DX
Email: customerservices@pjhayman.com
If your complaint relates to the Gadget Cover:
Tel: 01865 745566
Email: complaints@theoxfordclaimscompany.co.uk
Address: The Oxford Claims Company, Temple Court Mews, 109 Oxford Road, Oxford, OX4 2ER
We will aim to resolve your concerns within three (3) business days, following receipt of your complaint. A written Summary Resolution Communication will be provided to you if the complaint is resolved to your satisfaction.
In the unlikely event that you remain dissatisfied, you may be entitled to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, free of charge.
If your complaint cannot be resolved within three (3) business days we will send you an acknowledgement letter to explain that your complaint has been escalated to the Head of Compliance, who will investigate your complaint and keep you informed throughout the process.
We will investigate your complaint and provide one of the following within eight (8) weeks of receipt of your complaint:
- A final response letter explaining the outcome of our investigation, the reason for our decision and information on the steps to take, should you remain dissatisfied; or
- A holding letter confirming when we anticipate we will have concluded our investigation.
Referring to the Financial Ombudsman Service:
Should you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of our investigation or we are unable to conclude our investigation within eight (8) weeks, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (*if eligible), provided you do so within six (6) months of the date of the Final Response.
The contact details for the Financial Ombudsman are:
Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower
Harbour Exchange
London
E14 9SR
Customer Helpline: 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9 123
Email: complaint.info@financialombudsman.org.uk
Visit the financial ombudsman website
* The Financial Ombudsman Service may not be able to consider a complaint if you have not provided us with the opportunity to resolve it first, or if you are:
- a small business which has an annual turnover of more than £6.5 million; and has annual balance sheet of more than £5 million; or employs more than 50 persons.
- a trustee of a trust with a net asset value of more than £5 million; or
- a charity with an annual income of more than £6.5 million.
The Financial Ombudsman Service is an independent service in the UK for settling disputes between consumers and businesses providing financial services. The complaints handling arrangements above are without prejudice to your rights in law.
Documents
The documents below are valid to policies purchased from 19th December 2024. For any policies purchased prior to this, you can find all of the relevant information and documents on the Longstay & Backpacker archive page.