Have you got everything covered for your holiday?
accidents expensive
ADRENALINE JUNKIE
If you’re planning on doing something wild on holiday, make sure you’ve taken out adventure/ extreme sports cover (or winter sports). This ‘add-on’ extra policy covers you for a range of things on a scale of risk, like bungee jumping, sky dives, quad bike riding and even horse riding. A huge number of people fall off bikes while on holiday (motor or pedal) so check if you’re covered.
If you’re the spontaneous type, add this cover to your policy – it’s not expensive. In addition, before you jump on that banana boat, make sure the business has liability insurance and are trained and authorised to provide the service.
CANCELLATION CLAUSES
Read the cancellation and curtailment section of the policy. There are times when you might need to come home from holiday early after a family event at home or an injury abroad. This is covered under curtailment.
Check what your policy covers you for (replacing tickets, getting you to the airport, what happens when you arrive in the UK).
If you break a limb, you might find you have to wait for a flight that can fit you on so keep in touch with your insurer about how they can help you. Cancellation covers a range of scenarios, but always with limits. So if a family member falls ill and you can’t travel, they must usually be immediate family.
VALUE YOUR BAG
It’s a common assumption that you’ll be covered for all your personal possessions by your travel policy but this isn’t the case.
Most policies have maximum payouts for cash and valuables and you’ll usually have to pay an extra premium before you travel if you want to extend this. Back in more innocent times, most people would only cart around a tattered paperback and their wallet on holiday. Now we have smartphones, tablet computers and tons of other expensive electronic devices.
Can you afford to lose them? If not, then think carefully about what you take away with you. Make sure you use a safe if the hotel has one – most insurance policies will require you to do this.
KEEP A RECORD
Photograph your certificate of insurance and save it on your phone or email it to yourself.
Keep your insurer’s emergency telephone number saved too, along with your policy number. If your property is stolen or damaged then call the insurer as soon as you can. You may be required to file a police report too. If you’re in a hospital, then the insurer will have a special team to help with medical treatment and billing. The hospital may want to know if you’re insured before proceeding with treatment.
Hold on to any documents that might be useful for the claim and send copies when you’re home.