High time to run for cover
THIS is peak season for summer holiday bookings, but your trip could be ruined if you fail to order travel insurance at the same time.
You should aim to buy travel cover straight after arranging your trip, to protect you against any mishaps between booking and departure.
Many holidaymakers buy cover quickly and cheaply online through an insurance comparison site, but tread carefully or you could suffer your first travel disaster even before you leave home.
You can get one week’s cover in Europe from as little as a fiver, but buying the cheapest possible cover can backfire if you have to claim, while you must also remember to declare all medical conditions or risk having any claim rejected.
Always look for a minimum level of benefits when comparing travel policies, says Rob Clarkson, managing director at Post Office Money Insurance: “Simply buying the cheapest could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.”
Your policy should cover the cost of cancelling or curtailing your trip for each person travelling, plus £2million for medical expenses and £1million in personal liability costs.
Always check you have the right cover for your plans. Clarkson says: “For example, if you have bought an annual multi-trip policy and want to go on a cruise, make sure it includes cruise cover. Some policies may not include this as standard.”
Annual policies cover an unlimited number of trips in the year, but come with a typical maximum of 31 days away in a row, so check you will not exceed the individual trip limit.
Adventurous travellers should check whether their policy covers activities such as horse riding, trekking at high altitude or mountain biking. “If it does not and you get injured, your policy could be invalidated,” Clarkson says.
If you are taking valuables such as jewellery or iPads, make sure you pack them in hand luggage, he adds. “Valuables and money placed in hold luggage will not be covered if lost.”
Most travel insurance policies set claims limits, so consider insuring valuable electronics or jewellery under your home contents policy, or taking out gadget cover.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
You should declare any pre-existing condition beforehand even if you have not suffered from it for years.
Tom Irwin, senior manager at TravelSupermarket.com, says: “This applies to any condition where you received or were recommended care, medical advice, diagnosis or medical treatment.”
If you fail to declare a condition any subsequent claim you make could be rejected, even if it is for an unrelated medical condition.
The cost of medical treatment abroad quickly runs into thousands of pounds, especially in the US. “If in doubt, tell your insurer or you may pay for it later,” Irwin advises.
You will probably have to pay a higher premium, but it could well be worth the additional cost and you should resist the temptation of travelling without insurance at all.
Britons going abroad should order the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) free at ehic.org, which allows for free or reduced treatment in state hospitals across Europe.
However, this will not cover any treatment in a private hospital or clinic, the cost of returning to the UK or flying out a relative, so you need to take out travel cover as well. Irwin says some travel insurers now insist you hold an Ehic and many will waive any excess charges on medical claims if you have one.
The over-70s are statistically more likely to put in a claim for medical treatment or holiday cancellation because of ill health so typically pay more for cover, Irwin adds.
They may also struggle to get travel insurance from mainstream insurers, such as banks, some of which refuse to cover travellers aged over 70.
However, many specialists will help, including AllClearTravel.co.uk, AgeUK.org.uk, InsureForAll.com, FreedomInsure.co.uk, Saga.co.uk and GoodToGoInsurance.com.