In this comprehensive review of LV= travel insurance, we delve into the policies they offer, what they cover, and how much they cost. Whether you're planning a relaxing beach getaway or an action-packed adventure, LV= has got you covered. So, let's jump right in!
What is LV= Travel Insurance?
LV= is a trusted insurance provider that offers a wide range of policies, including travel, home, pet, and car insurance. With over 7 million satisfied customers, LV='s travel insurance policy is underwritten by Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Limited.
LV= Travel Insurance Key Features
Here are some key features of LV= travel insurance policies:
- 5-star Defaqto rating for the Premier policy
- Up to £10 million emergency medical cover
- 15% online discount for added savings
- Optional cruise, winter sports, and baggage cover to tailor your policy
- Comprehensive coverage for Covid-19
- No age limit on single trip policies
- Convenient online claims process
- group travel insurance policies available
LV= Travel Insurance Policies
LV= offers different types of travel insurance policies to suit your needs.
LV= Single Trip Travel Insurance
If you're planning a one-time trip, LV='s single trip travel insurance policy is the ideal choice. It covers you for up to 366 days if you're under 65 years old. For those aged between 65 and 79, coverage extends to 90 days, while travellers aged 80 and over are covered for up to 31 days. The best part? There's no upper age limit, making it perfect for older adventurers.
You can opt for worldwide coverage, but make sure to check the specific coverages for your destinations. Single trip travel insurance is great for occasional travellers. If you travel more frequently, you may want to consider LV='s annual multi-trip travel insurance for cost-effective coverage.
LV= Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
For travellers looking to embark on multiple trips within a year, LV='s annual multi-trip travel insurance is a smart choice. Available for individuals under the age of 80, this policy covers you for up to 90 days per trip throughout the year.
With LV='s annual multi-trip travel insurance, you can explore various destinations throughout the year. Just ensure you select the right cover that matches your travel plans. For example, if you're visiting both Europe and the USA, choose worldwide cover that includes coverage for both destinations.
LV= Family and Group Travel Insurance
Travelling with your loved ones or a group of friends? LV= has you covered with their family and group travel insurance policy. This policy allows up to 10 people to be insured on a single policy, with each person receiving the same coverage. You can choose between LV='s Essential and Premier policies. Families may benefit from lower premiums compared to unrelated groups.
With an LV= group policy, travellers aged 22 and over can travel separately. However, children aged 21 and under named on the policy must travel with the policyholder, their spouse, another person named on the policy, or as part of an organized trip, such as with a school or university.
What Does LV= Travel Insurance Cover?
LV= offers two comprehensive travel insurance policies: Premier and Essential. Both policies provide the same amount of emergency medical cover and can be tailored by adding optional cruise, winter sports, and baggage cover.
It's important to note that baggage and lost or stolen items coverage is not included as standard in an LV= travel insurance policy.
Here's a quick comparison of the Premier and Essential policies:
| LV= Essential Policy | LV= Premier Policy |
|---|---|
| Policy Excess: £90 | Policy Excess: £90 |
| Emergency Medical Expenses: £10 million | Emergency Medical Expenses: £10 million |
| Cancellation/Curtailment: £5,000 | Cancellation/Curtailment: £10,000 |
| Personal Accident: £25,000 | Personal Accident: £25,000 |
| Personal Liability: £2 million | Personal Liability: £2 million |
| Legal Advice: £25,000 | Legal Advice: £25,000 |
| Cancellation Due to Delays: N/A | Cancellation Due to Delays: £10,000 |
| Bankruptcy of Travel Provider: N/A | Bankruptcy of Travel Provider: £10,000 |
LV= also offers optional extras to further customize your travel insurance policy. Let's explore a few of them:
Optional Winter Sports Cover
For winter sports enthusiasts, LV= offers optional winter sports cover to protect you on the slopes. Here's how it compares between the Essential and Premier policies:
| LV= Essential Policy | LV= Premier Policy |
|---|---|
| Excess (no excess for personal liability or personal accident): £90 | Excess (no excess for personal liability or personal accident): £90 |
| Winter Sports Emergency Medical Cover: £10 million | Winter Sports Emergency Medical Cover: £10 million |
| Cancellation of Winter Sports Activities Whilst Away: £5,000 | Cancellation of Winter Sports Activities Whilst Away: £10,000 |
| Cancellation/Curtailment of the Trip: £5,000 | Cancellation/Curtailment of the Trip: £10,000 |
| Personal Accident: £25,000 | Personal Accident: £25,000 |
| Personal Liability: £2 million | Personal Liability: £2 million |
Optional Cruise Cover
If you're setting sail on a cruise, LV= offers optional cruise cover to ensure a smooth sailing experience. Take a look at the coverage provided by the Essential and Premier policies:
| LV= Essential Policy | LV= Premier Policy |
|---|---|
| Excess: N/A | Excess: N/A |
| Missed Port Departure: N/A | Missed Port Departure: £1,000 |
| Cruise or Activity Cancellation: £5,000 | Cruise or Activity Cancellation: £10,000 |
| Cabin Confinement: £1,000 (£100 daily limit) | Cabin Confinement: £1,500 (£150 daily limit) |
| Cancelled Port Stop: £150 per port | Cancelled Port Stop: £150 per port |
| Cover to Rejoin the Cruise if Missed due to Illness: £1,000 | Cover to Rejoin the Cruise if Missed due to Illness: £1,000 |
Optional Baggage Cover
Protect your belongings with LV='s optional baggage cover. Here's a breakdown of the coverage provided by the Essential and Premier policies:
| LV= Essential Policy (per person limit) | LV= Premier Policy (per person limit) |
|---|---|
| Excess (no excess for replacement of essential baggage): £50 | Excess (no excess for replacement of essential baggage): £50 |
| Replacement or Hire of Essential Baggage: £250 | Replacement or Hire of Essential Baggage: £500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage: £2,000 | Lost or Stolen Baggage: £3,000 |
| Lost or Stolen Valuables (included in baggage limit): £300 (£300 single item limit) | Lost or Stolen Valuables (included in baggage limit): £500 (£500 single item limit) |
| Loss or Theft of Personal Money: £500 (£300 cash limit) | Loss or Theft of Personal Money: £500 (£300 cash limit) |
| Loss of Passport: £500 | Loss of Passport: £500 |
| Loss of Driving Licence: £500 | Loss of Driving Licence: £500 |
Does LV= Travel Insurance Cover Covid-19?
Yes, LV= travel insurance does offer coverage for Covid-19. Your specific coverage details can be found in your travel insurance policy documents, so make sure to review them thoroughly before your trip.
With an LV= travel insurance policy, you can expect the following Covid-19 cover:
- Emergency medical and repatriation costs if diagnosed with Covid-19 while away
- Cancellation cover if you or a travel companion are diagnosed with Covid-19 and cannot travel due to illness or quarantine restrictions
- Coverage for trip curtailment due to Covid-19 and the need for quarantine or repatriation to the UK following changes in Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) advice
- Cover for cancelled trips and excursions due to testing positive for Covid-19 and requiring isolation during your trip
- Additional accommodation and transport costs if you need to quarantine and cannot use your pre-booked transport
It's important to note that cancellation coverage may not apply if you choose not to travel due to a high incidence of Covid-19 in your destination area. Additionally, you won't be covered if you decide to travel against FCDO advice.
Does LV= Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
LV= aims to cover pre-existing medical conditions, subject to their online medical assessment. If LV= is unable to provide coverage for a specific pre-existing condition, they will notify you on the quotation page, and you may need to seek cover elsewhere. MoneyHelper (formerly known as The Money Advice Service) provides a list of insurers that cover pre-existing medical conditions. You can also compare travel insurance providers specializing in pre-existing conditions on the comparison site PayingTooMuch*.
When applying for an insurance policy with LV=, it's crucial to declare all pre-existing medical conditions for every individual included. Failure to disclose these conditions may result in a claim being denied.
LV= defines a pre-existing condition as:
- Any type of cancer
- Breathing conditions (e.g., asthma)
- Heart conditions
- Bone or joint conditions
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Circulatory conditions (e.g., strokes or high blood pressure)
Additionally, if you have undergone medical tests, investigations, prescribed medication, surgery, or treatment for a medical condition within the 12 months prior to taking out a policy, it will also be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
It's worth noting that a positive Covid-19 test within 12 months prior to taking out a policy must be declared as a medical condition.
How Much Does LV= Travel Insurance Cost?
The cost of your LV= travel insurance policy may vary depending on factors such as your age and pre-existing medical conditions. Here's a comparison of LV= single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance policy costs based on various ages and destinations. The quotes include the optional baggage cover, which incurs an additional cost.
LV= Single Trip Travel Insurance Policy Cost
LV= Essential Policy:
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (20-year-old): £29.11
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (30-year-old): £28.79
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (40-year-old): £31.06
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (50-year-old): £29.84
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (60-year-old): £28.82
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (70-year-old): £67.85
LV= Premier Policy:
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (20-year-old): £38.40
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (30-year-old): £37.96
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (40-year-old): £40.97
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (50-year-old): £39.36
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (60-year-old): £37.88
- 7-night Single trip to Europe (70-year-old): £84.58
LV= Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Policy Cost
LV= Essential Policy:
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (20-year-old): £69.83
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (30-year-old): £85.84
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (40-year-old): £78.98
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (50-year-old): £77.08
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (60-year-old): £83.74
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (70-year-old): £150.85
LV= Premier Policy:
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (20-year-old): £107.00
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (30-year-old): £131.92
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (40-year-old): £121.26
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (50-year-old): £118.27
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (60-year-old): £118.78
- Annual multi-trip to Europe (70-year-old): £202.37
LV= Travel Insurance Policy Excess
LV= travel insurance policies have a fixed excess of £90 per cancellation, curtailment, and emergency medical expenses claim. For baggage-related claims with optional baggage cover, there is a £50 excess per claim.
How to Claim on an LV= Travel Insurance Policy
If you need to make a claim on your LV= travel insurance policy, you can easily do so by completing the online claims process on the LV= website. Alternatively, you can call 0330 678 6225.
If you're making a claim for trip cancellation or curtailment, it's important to contact your airline or tour operator first. If unsuccessful, try contacting your card provider for a refund before reaching out to LV=. When making a claim, provide evidence of the costs or proof of refund refusal from another provider.
LV= Travel Insurance Customer Reviews
LV= has an excellent reputation among its customers, with a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 Stars. 81% of customers have rated it as 'Excellent,' while only 3% rated it as 'Bad.' It's important to note that these reviews are based on LV='s general insurance policies as a whole and not solely on travel insurance. However, specific to travel insurance, customers have praised their great customer service and quick, helpful claims process. Some negative reviews mentioned high premium renewals and issues with the online claims process.
LV= Travel Insurance Pros and Cons
Here are some pros and cons to consider when choosing LV= travel insurance:
LV= Travel Insurance Pros:
- 15% online discount for added savings
- No upper age limit on single trip policies, making it ideal for older travellers
- Premier policy is 5-star Defaqto rated for excellent coverage
- Convenient online claims process
LV= Travel Insurance Cons:
- Baggage cover is not included as standard
- Other insurers may offer higher emergency medical cover
- Positive Covid-19 test within 12 months prior to policy inception must be declared
Alternatives to LV= Travel Insurance
If you're considering alternatives to LV= travel insurance, here are a couple of providers worth exploring:
- Post Office travel insurance
- Staysure travel insurance
You can compare these providers' most comprehensive travel insurance policies to find the best fit for your needs. Quotes are based on a 30-year-old individual travelling to Europe for 7 nights. We've included optional baggage cover to ensure a fair comparison. For more information on these providers, check out our independent reviews.
Alternatively, you can use comparison sites like Quotezone or MoneySuperMarket to explore a wide range of travel insurance providers. These sites allow you to compare multiple insurers and find the best deal for your trip. However, it's important to note that not all comparison sites offer a whole-of-market comparison, so you may want to consider other options as well.
In Summary
LV= travel insurance provides comprehensive coverage for your adventures, giving you peace of mind wherever you go. While their emergency medical cover is substantial, it's worth comparing other insurers for higher coverage, especially if you're travelling to destinations with higher medical expenses. LV= has no upper age limit on single trip policies and covers pre-existing conditions through their medical screening process. The 15% online discount is a welcome bonus, but keep in mind that your premium may increase upon policy renewal.
So why wait? Protect your travels with LV= travel insurance and embark on your next adventure with confidence.
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