Travel agent or tour operator

Arranged with travel purchased through the agent.
Up to 50% more expensive than online – due to sales commission. Travel agents may insist travel insurance be a requirement of your travel deal. You have the freedom not to make the deal conditional upon the purchase of travel insurance and not to be charged extra to source travel insurance elsewhere.

Online

Huge savings here, with lower overheads.
Excellent savings for the savvy traveler who takes out the appropriate cover. For those travelling spontaneously, online travel insurance provides a flexible, hassle free means of ensuring you have cover.

Check the fine print in the product disclosure form, that the site is secure and the company backed by stable and established underwriter and assistance groups.

If in doubt, phone the company direct to discuss details of the cover.

Credit card cover

Activated when you purchase travel with your credit card.
This type of policy applies to top-end credit cards and tends to have a general application intended for the mass market. It's applied as an incentive for travelers to purchase a travel ticket using a credit card.

Check the fine print of the credit card policy and that you are covered for the travel you intend on. Don’t just take it for granted that you are covered for your specific trip.

This is not a full-blown protection policy - to do so would make it more expensive. You get what you pay for.