Southdowns Insurance Services

Southdowns Insurance Services, travel insurance specialist

Southdowns Insurance Services Ltd presents itself as a travel insurance specialist dedicated to providing comprehensive cover at affordable prices. Its range is built around three main types: single trip policies, annual multi-trip policies and cover for pre-existing medical conditions. Policies can be purchased online or through a UK-based call centre.

Types of cover

The single trip policy is designed for one-off trips, such as a weekend getaway or a long-duration journey. The website indicated prices from £4.15 for a person aged between 22 and 30 travelling to Europe for four days. The annual multi-trip option covers independent travel for all named insureds on couple and family policies, with prices from £21.20. For pre-existing medical conditions there is specific cover, subject to acceptance, from £21.95.

Sports and activities covered

Southdowns policies include cover for 110 leisure sports and activities as standard, a feature the company highlights as part of the standard scope of its products.

Types of insureds and destinations

Policies are arranged according to the composition of the travelling group. The individual category covers one person. The couple category includes the insured and a close relative, such as a domestic partner living at the same address, both aged over 16. The family option covers two adults and any number of their children, stepchildren or foster children under 18, or under 23 if in full-time education. There is also a single-parent family category, with one adult and children under the same age conditions. The group category allows up to nine people travelling to the same destination and for the same period, and allows one person to purchase cover on behalf of everyone. Under annual multi-trip policies, both named adults and children can travel independently, provided parental permission has been granted.

The destinations available in the policy search are United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, rest of the world except USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico, and worldwide cover.

Purchasing and managing policies

The company allows policies to be purchased online or through its UK call centre. It also offers a members area where insureds can manage common tasks quickly and securely: resend policy documents, update traveller details, amend cover, update medical information or make a claim.

Structure and regulation

The insurance is underwritten by AWP P&C S.A., which operates through its UK branch and is authorised and regulated by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution in France, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 534384), with limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. The insurance is administered by AWP Assistance UK Ltd, which trades as Allianz and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 311909). The insurance is arranged by Southdowns Insurance Services Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 526980).