Nationwide customers booking holiday urged to check twice

It’s welcome news for some Nationwide customers getting ready for a holiday, as they could cut costs before booking their next trip. A travel expert shared the tip on BBC Morning Live and it may benefit many people across the UK, even if you’re not with the bank.

Speaking on the programme, Rebecca Wilcox said she is “astonished” that some travellers still fail to take out travel insurance, calling it a serious mistake. While she urged those without cover to arrange it as soon as possible, she also pointed out that others may already be insured without realising.

Addressing the good news, she posed the question: “Are you already covered? You could have it with your bank account. These are things we want to have a look at before we are getting our travel insurance. Does your bank account actually come with an add-on, one of those packaged accounts that includes travel insurance?”

For example, Nationwide offers a FlexPlus current account option that comes with Worldwide Family Travel Insurance from Aviva Insurance Limited. This costs £18 per month and comes with a host of other benefits.

In their notice, Nationwide says: “You’ll need to pay £18 a month to maintain a FlexPlus current account, even if you can’t use the insurances. It’s not possible to have a FlexPlus account without the insurances or the insurances without a FlexPlus account.”

What’s included in Nationwide’s FlexPlus current account?

In their list, it says that there are “exclusions and limitations” which apply to “some types of cover, so always check the policy documents for full details.”

Some of the banks’ benefits include missed departure cover. It explains: “We’ll pay for alternative travel and accommodation costs to help you reach your destination if there are unexpected delays, up to £1,000.”

It also covers emergency medical expenses, including cover to bring you home, up to £10 million.” In addition to this, it covers “cancelling or cutting your trip short, up to £5,000” as well as alternative travel for disruptions and more.

You can read more about FlexPlus here. It is worth noting that the bank is offering “£175 by switching your main account to us. Ending 4 March. Terms apply.”

Do other banks offer travel insurance?

Yes, many banks offer travel insurance as part of their accounts, including Monzo, Virgin Money, and Halifax. It’s always a good idea to check with your bank to see whether this cover is included.

Keep in mind that travel insurance is often included in a packaged account, which may incur an additional monthly fee. Before purchasing a separate policy, review the benefits you already have to avoid paying for double coverage.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.