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Travel Insurance
Here are some important points to consider:
Get several quotations before you choose your travel insurance and check carefully what each offers
It is really important if you intend to travel abroad that you take out Holiday Insurance that will cover you for all types of eventualities and emergencies such as illness, theft, accident, flight delays or the holiday company going into liquidation.
You need to decide if you should buy single trip or an annual multi-trip policy, will it be for Europe or Worldwide. If you’re only off to Europe for a two week holiday then it’s probably best just to get the single trip cover. However, if you go away two or three times a year to Europe or Worldwide then it’s probably worth considering the annual policy as you this can work out much cheaper. When thinking about taking what type of policy you may require there are lots of things to consider:
- If you abandon or cancel your trip, will your policy cover this?
- If your trip involves a particular sport or activities considered a risk, check that your insurer offers extra cover or you may need to call a specialist insurer.
- Does the policy provide full cover for emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation (being returned to the UK). Usually it should cover you for a minimum of £1 million in Europe and £2 million in the USA and the rest of the world (as treatment is usually much more expensive. Don’t forget if travelling to Europe take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaced the E111 in January 2006, to get medical treatment in Europe.
- Check you are covered if you have any pre- existing medical conditions and always tell the insurance company about them, honesty is always the best policy.
- It provides a 24 hour emergency assistance - some insurance companies will help around the clock helpline to arrange for help if you have a serious problem
- If someone is injured or his or her property is damaged by you or something belonging to you, he or she could make a claim against you – are you covered for this?
- If you lose or have any of your personal possessions such as jewellery, money or documents will the insurance company cover the amount if full. Usually the policy will specify limits they will have an overall limit and a limit individual valuable items usually between £200 - £500 each check you are happy with these limits. Does it offer items to be replaced on an old for new basis whereby they pay the full cost of the item that needs replacing.
- If there is a serious accident will the holiday insurance cover your family being flown out.
- Always check the small print for any exclusions such as if an accident is caused through either drinking alcohol or taking drugs you won’t be covered or if an injury or death is caused through the acts of terrorism you might not be covered.
- If you are booking your own travel i.e. Flights and hotel separately most travel insurance policies do not cover insolvency find a specialsit who will. Check the BIBA – the British Insurance Brokers' Association
- Check what excesses are payable.Don’t buy from a Travel Agent it might be the easy option but it’s probably going to be more expensive, you will receive less protection as Travel Agents are exempt from the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
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Before you go:
- Take a copy of your insurance policy with you.
- Keep a note of the policy number and their telephone numbers separate.
- Keep the 24 hour emergency phone number handy either on your mobile or in your purse.
- Make sure you know what to do in the event of a problem.
- Some insurance companies insist that you call their assistance company as soon as possible after a problem has arisen.
- If anything does happen make sure you notify the police immediately some policies only allow you 24 – 48 hours. Also keep all paperwork such as, receipts, medical bills, police report and tickets as they will usually require all this for our claim.
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