Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel insurance update
The spread of coronavirus has resulted in considerable disruption to travel plans. It has also caused some insurers to make changes to their policies.
You can find the latest updates and answers to your questions in our dedicated article on coronavirus and travel insurance.
The table below shows what coronavirus-related cover First Direct provides. As the situation is changing rapidly, we recommend checking First Direct's website before buying.
First Direct travel insurance: how can I claim?
To make a claim call +44 (0)1603 605 125.
For emergency medical assistance or curtailment claims abroad call +44 (0)1603 605 128.
Before calling, you should contact your travel agent and/or airline to seek a refund or to move your trip.
You'll need your policy document when you call.
First Direct travel insurance review
First Direct is a telephone and online bank that was founded in 1989.
It offers a single and an annual multi-trip policy underwritten by Aviva.
How Which? rates First Direct's travel insurance
To help you find the best travel insurance policy, Which? goes the extra mile to sort the best from the worst.
We survey thousands of real travel insurance customers to find out how they rate their insurer for customer satisfaction.
We also analyse and rate 22 different elements of annual and single-trip policies to create policy scores, helping you to judge the quality of your cover - and how an insurer compares to its competition.
We combine this into an overall score to highlight the insurers that offer great cover and service.
Which? members can login to see the results of our analysis. If you're not already a member, join Which? and get full access to these results and all our reviews.
First Direct's travel insurance policy: is it good or bad?
In April 2019, we analysed and rated 22 of the most important elements of around 800 annual and single-trip travel insurance policies, to come up with an overall policy score.
We assessed how important each individual element is when choosing and using a travel insurance policy, and weighted it accordingly, to calculate our total policy score. Each element is given a star rating out of five.
Overall, 22 out of the 22 policy elements we analysed in First Direct's travel insurance earned a 3-star rating or higher.
While eight of First Direct's policy elements were given a full 5-star rating, the majority of the features in its policy were given a 3-star or more rating which indicates a highly comprehensive level of cover.
| Policy element | Details | Rating | Area covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical expenses cover limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
| Cancellation/curtailment limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
| Travel delay - 12 hours limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
| Travel delay - maximum limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
| Baggage & belongings limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
| Money including cash limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
| Cash limit (£) |
|
| Annual and single-trip |
How we calculate customer and policy scores
In March 2019, we surveyed 4,471 members of the public asking them about their travel insurance provider.
We calculated the customer scores using a combination of overall customer satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the provider to a friend.
We calculated the policy scores by rating the most important elements of the policy, including medical expenses cover limit, cancellation/curtailment limit, travel delay limit, baggage and belongings limit and money limit.
The total score combines both the customer score and policy score.
To qualify as a Which? Recommended Provider, an insurer must:
- Be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- Be available to the general public.
- Have received 30 or more responses in our customer survey.
- Have received an average or above average policy score (see table for current average score) and a customer score of 70% or above.
Get top money-saving tips from Which?
Sign up to the Which? Money Weekly newsletter to get our latest news, tips and deals straight to your inbox.
