Help on travel insurance included with HSBC student bank account?

I'd be really careful with your student bank travel insurance. Read what you are actually covered for as these can be just "nothing" packages thrown together to entice people to bank with them. Did you have a leaflet handed to you when you signed up? If not go to your nearest branch and they should have information (if it is proving difficult to find online). It may be that you need "real" travel insurance for your field trip. This doesn't have to cost the earth to have protection that covers any lost and stolen goods, as well as yourself! InsureMe4.co.uk are a fairly cheap travel insurance company and cover a week in Europe for £5 - might be worth checking them out if your bank insurance doesn't cut it!

Yes, you do need to actuvate it. If you cannot find it on HSBC then go and call them, this way you can activate it online. The idea behind this kind of insurance is that it is only minimal but perhaps that is all you need. If you are looking to get better coverage than you should try and get a private insurance firm. Thanks