Travel Insurance Tips
Travel Insurance Is Not Compulsory
There is no legal obligation to take out travel insurance before you go abroad, despite what some travel agents may tell you, but you should consider protecting yourself against injury, illness and cancellation at the very least
Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
If you travel abroad more than once a year an annual multi trip policy could be a better (and cheaper) option than one-off cover
Is Your Travel Insurance Cover Adequate?
Make sure that the travel insurance you take out is adequate for the type of holiday you are going on. Some travel insurance providers limit the number of children covered by a single policy (usually two children), while others cover all under-16s. Does your policy cover repatriation?
Cruise Insurance
Check your policy to ensure that there is cover for missing the departure of the ship and that the medical expenses cover includes having you airlifted off the cruise liner should you need specialist medical treatment
Adventure Travel Insurance
Adventure travellers should remember that some travel insurance providers will not cover extreme sports such as white water rafting or bungee jumping. You may have to pay an extra premium. Also, some insurers restrict the number of times a traveller can indulge in their extreme sport (a maximum of two bungee jumps for instance)
Policy Excess
Check what your policy excess is and whether it applies to one amount per claim or for each part of a claim
Baggage Cover & Valuables
You may not need cover for your baggage and belongings if they are already covered under your home contents policy. If you do, make sure you check the policy limit for individual items. You may need higher limits if you are bringing the family jewels
Financial Failure Cover
Make sure that financial failure / airline failure is covered under your travel insurance policy and if you can find an insurance policy that insures against volcanic ash clouds, snap it up
European Health Insurance Card
Make sure each member of your family has an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (available from post offices, forms are also available to download from the Department of Health’s website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers)
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