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Planning your 2006 holidays? Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance…
Going on holiday without adequate travel insurance could lead to financial disaster. Your holiday could end up costing far more than you’d bargained for.
There are numerous travel insurance providers out there competing to offer you the best deal. As well as making sure you choose the right provider for your needs, you now also have the choice between an Annual Multi Trip or a Single Trip policy. So which one should you choose?
An annual policy could work out to be more expensive if you only take one holiday a year. Check what the policy is offering against the trips you have planned to make sure that you are making the most of the cost saving. You need to particularly consider whether you will be heading to North America and other far-flung destinations or just to Europe. If you are heading overseas on two or more trips a year, it often makes financial sense to buy an annual policy rather than several single trip policies. This is particularly true if you’re planning a ski trip as annual policies usually include winter sports cover automatically. If skiing is on your holiday agenda, especially more than one ski trip, check the maximum number of days you are covered for winter sports.
Another advantage of an annual policy is the convenience factor. They allow for spontaneity and enable you to jet set off on a last minute deal without having to worry about paperwork every time. Policy holders can travel as many times during a year as they like though it’s worth checking the maximum number of days you can be away on each trip abroad. Watch out for providers who not only have trip length limits but also limit the total number of days you are covered to travel outside the UK.
If you have opted for annual cover it is not always necessary to contact your insurer between each trip abroad. However, if you are travelling to an obscure destination, check that your insurer covers that area. Similarly, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or have contracted an illness mid-policy, contact the insurer to confirm your insured status.
When to buy?
When you buy an annual travel insurance policy you can choose to either start
the policy from the first day of your holiday or from the day you purchase the
policy. By opting for the first option you would not be covered for cancellation
prior to departure. For peace of mind it is best to begin your cover as soon
as you have booked your holiday.
What a good travel insurance policy should include.
- The entire period of your holiday.
- Any activities and sports, excluding hazardous and other specified activities. Always check what sports are excluded from the policy – jet skiing is often excluded. Many insurers will extend cover, otherwise search online for a specialist policy.
- Medical and health cover should be for a minimum of £1 million for Europe and £2 million for the rest of the world. Take out a policy that has the benefit of a 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
- Personal liability cover in case you accidentally cause injury or damage to a third party or their property and they decide to sue you.
- A payout if you have to cancel or cut short your holiday through illness or family bereavement.
- An appropriate limit to cover your possessions if they are lost, stolen or damaged.
Helpful Travel Insurance Tips
- Always shop around before you buy your travel insurance. Policies and prices do vary from insurer to insurer so it is vital that you search the market to find the most suitable insurer for your requirements. The internet is a good place to start your search.
- Ensure you read the policy documents, especially the small print, to make sure that you understand what is included and excluded. If you are in doubt, ask your insurer before you depart.
- It is a good idea to forward your travel insurance policy details and insurer contact instructions to your personal email address or mobile phone so that you can recall them in the event of an emergency abroad. Don't just have the details in your suitcase - as that could be the very case that goes missing.
- Some insurers give you a credit card-size policy card to carry in your wallet permanently. The card contains important details such as policy, emergency assistant and claims numbers.
- Inform your insurer of any pre-existing medical conditions. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy in the unfortunate circumstances of having to make a claim.
- If you are travelling to Europe, get the European Health Insurance Card. Find out more about the EHIC. You can pick up the EHIC form from your local post office or directly from the Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk/travellers, 0845 606 2030). It entitles you and the rest of your family access to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment in the European Union. The EHIC should not be treated as a substitute for travel insurance; it should be taken in addition to a good travel insurance policy. It will not cover all your medical treatment and will not cover any repatriation costs or non-medical related issues.
- Keep your luggage and belongings in sight at all times. Failure to do so could result in the insurer refusing to payout on a claim.
- Insurers tend not to cover you for travel to countries that have been declared unsafe to travel to by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). For up to date advice on countries not to travel to and for global information prior to travel visit www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
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