We've upgraded the included insurance cover for all our trips!

Think Outside The Classroom travel insurance

We believe that safety and enjoyment are equally important when booking a tour with Think Outside The Classroom. It is therefore why it is a condition of booking with us that you have obtained adequate and valid specialist school / youth group travel insurance for the entire duration of your trip.

Think Outside The Classroom partners with Howden (formerly Endsleigh), to create a bespoke school / youth group travel insurance policy that covers against a variety of unforeseen risks.

Cover includes cancellation and curtailment of the trip due to illness, injury or death; the cost of any repatriation back to the beneficiary’s home country following a medical emergency. Additionally cover for over 100 sports and activities are included as standard under this group policy and full details are available within the activity guide lists in the group policy documents.

The group policy has been arranged for the benefit of persons travelling on a trip (the beneficiary / beneficiaries) with Think Outside The Classroom (the group policyholder).

Key features and benefits:

A 24 hour helpline for medical emergencies
Emergency medical expenses in the event of illness or injury
Protection against cancellation or curtailment charges
Cover for loss or damage to baggage and personal money
A wide range of sports and activities covered

Key eligibility criteria and exclusions:

Not available to anyone aged 85 or over
No cover under cancellation or curtailment charges, emergency medical expenses or personal accident relating to any reason set out under ‘Important conditions relating to health’ – see group policy wording
No cover where the FCO or World Health Organisation has advised against travel
No cover where travel is not departing from and returning to your home country
Claims may be subject to an excess, depending on the cover section of the policy
No cover in connection with a medical epidemic or pandemic, except claims under Section 2 – Emergency Medical and other expenses.

The table below displays a summary of the maximum amounts which are payable under each section. Please note the group policy is subject to terms, conditions, limits and exclusions - please refer to the group policy wording and the statement of insurance for full details of the cover available.

Table setting out limits of policy coverage reproduced in PDF linked below

Table setting out limits of additional policy coverage reproduced in PDF linked below

Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

We highly recommend that all travellers resident in the UK obtain a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if travelling to countries in Europe. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) allows British nationals access to statutory healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

It is important to note that the GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. The GHIC may not cover the cost of all medical treatment or repatriation, whereas the Endsleigh travel insurance policy will cover extended costs under Section 2 – Emergency medical and other expenses.

For more information about the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you can visit the gov.uk website here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

Alternative travel insurance providers

Should you decide to make your own travel insurance arrangements, please note adequate and valid travel insurance is a requirement for all groups travelling with Think Outside The Classroom. It is a condition of completing your booking with us that you agree to obtain adequate travel insurance (which includes any bespoke features specific to the activities you will participate in whilst on your tour), or confirm that you have appropriate cover under the Risk Protection Agreement.

If you have any questions about the travel insurance we have designed for you through Howden (formerly Endsleigh), please contact us on +44 33 000 111 45.

Insurance will be included for your group automatically - Please note that as soon as your full first deposits has been paid and received for every member of the group, your policy will then become effective immediately.

Please find below the full suite of the Howden (formerly Endsleigh) travel insurance policy documentation that will be applicable to all beneficiaries of each school / youth group. It is important you read the insurance policy prior to completing your booking so you are fully aware of the levels of cover provided and are confident that the policy will meet your needs.

Think Outside The Classroom Policy:

BY9 0000205 Policy Wording

BY9 0000205 Statement of Insurance

BY9 0000205 IPID

BY9 0000205 Additional activities covered on scuba diving school trips and other school trips with adventurous activities

Guide to Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Additional Useful Information:

Online Howden Travel Claim Form

Howden UK Privacy Policy

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a claim?

Making a claim or request assistance in the event of medical emergency:

All medical claims are handled by our emergency assistance service (CEGA) who operate a 24/7 operation for medical emergencies.

Emergency medical claim:

Contact the emergency assistance service by phone at +44 (0)1243 621058.

Making a non-medical claim:

All non-medical claims please get in touch at telephone number +44(0) 1202 038 946.

Alternatively:

Email: claims@cegagroup.com or

Online claims form: Report a travel claim | Howden Insurance (UK) - Business & Corporate

When to make a claim:

Claims should be made as soon as possible after the date of the incident for which the beneficiary is claiming. Claims MUST be made within 31 days of the incident.

What is the claim process?

Below outlines the claims process for all insured beneficiaries of the Howden (formerly Endsleigh) insurance policy:

Flowchart explaining the claims process for school trip insurance claims

Is there anything the insurance doesn’t cover?

Yes, as with all insurance policies, there are a number of general exclusions listed in the group policy wording under ‘general exclusions’ which should be read carefully, in addition to the ‘What is not covered’ sections of the group policy. Please note, most sections of the policy will be subject to an excess.

It’s your responsibility to read and ensure that you understand the group policy.

What should I do if my baggage, money, passport, or travel documents are lost, stolen, or damaged whilst in the care of a carrier, transport company, authority, hotel, or your accommodation provider?

You must report to them, in writing, details of the loss, theft, or damage and obtain (at your own expense) written confirmation of the loss. If baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged whilst in the care of an airline you must:

a) obtain a Property Irregularity Report from the airline.

b) give formal written notice of the claim to the airline within the time limit contained in their conditions of carriage (please retain a copy).

c) retain all travel tickets and tags for submission if a claim is to be made under this group policy.

In all other situations

You must report to the local Police in the country where the incident occurred within 24 hours of discovery wherever possible, and obtain (at your own expense) a written report of the loss, theft or attempted theft of all baggage.

You must provide (at your own expense) an original receipt or proof of ownership for items lost, stolen, or damaged to help substantiate your claim.

What should I do in the event of a travel delay?

Firstly, check you have cover under the group policy for Delayed Departure; to make a claim, you must obtain confirmation from the carriers (or their handling agents) in writing of the number of hours of delay and the reason for the delay.

Please contact the Howden (formerly Endsleigh) Claims Team as soon as possible, preferably by phone, and our trained claims staff will be happy to help.

What should I do in the event of a missed departure?

Firstly, check you have cover under the group policy for Missed Departure; to make a claim you must obtain written confirmation from the Police or emergency breakdown services of the location, reason for and duration of the delay.

Under the missed departure section of the policy, please be aware that there’s no cover for any claim where the booked trip or travel arrangements have been arranged by the Group Policyholder under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (as amended, re-enacted or replaced from time to time).

Please contact the Howden (formerly Endsleigh)Claims Team as soon as possible, preferably by phone, and our trained claims staff will be happy to help.

If I’m injured/sick in a remote location, is helicopter rescue covered?

The emergency medical assistance team will assess each situation individually, and being airlifted is an option if it’s deemed medically necessary.

Is there a refund if I have travelled but don’t make a claim within the period of insurance?

There is no refund due even if no claims are made during the period of insurance.

What is the period of cover?

Cancellation cover is operative from the time you are accepted for cover prior to the commencement of your trip. For all other sections of the group policy, the insurance commences when you leave your home to commence the trip and terminates at the time of your return to your home in your home country on completion of the trip. Any trip that had already begun at the time of being accepted for cover won’t be covered.

If I no longer want cover under the group policy, will I get a refund?

You may withdraw from participation in the group policy at any time by giving notice of that intention to your tour operator.

If the cover doesn’t meet your needs, there’s a ‘cooling off’ period of 14 days from the date of receipt for first deposits during which you may cancel the insurance in writing to your tour operator.

If you decide to cancel your insurance after the 14 days, any return of premium will be calculated from the date such participation ceases, provided you haven’t travelled or been the subject of a claim during any period for which cover was provided, in which case no refund will be due. We reserve the right to charge a reasonable administration fee.

(Please note: Cancellation cover is operative from the time you’re accepted for cover. Therefore, if you withdraw from participation in the group policy you’ll be charged for the period between being accepted for cover and your travel departure date).

Please see full terms and conditions for cancelling your insurance with the policy documentation.