6 tips for buying travel insurance
Written by Karen Bryan
I was surprised to read in the recent Foreign and Commonwealth Office report that 20% of Britons travelling abroad don’t have travel insurance. I think it’s downright silly not to buy travel insurance and leave yourself exposed to the possibility of being thousands of pounds out of pocket, for the sake of saving a few pounds or not getting round to buying insurance. So before you rush off to get a travel insurance quote, here are my six top tips for choosing the best travel insurance for your travels.
by iwona kellie
- Decide if you need a single trip policy or annual cover. If you will take more than a couple of trips over a 12 month period, then annual cover could be a better deal.
- Make sure you buy the correct type of cover. Check the category of the activities you’re planning to do as every insurance company has different classifications, for example my husband’s kayaking is covered in some standard policies but means a higher premium with others.
- Think about the excess (the amount deducted from your claim) you are willing to pay. You can reduce your premium by going for a higher excess, but then if you do have to make a claim, the payout will be lower.
- Some home content insurance policies cover your belongings away from home. If so, you should look for a travel insurance policy where you can remove the personal belongings cover from your quote, thereby reducing your premium.
- Don’t just buy the cheapest holiday insurance; check the levels of cover, activity categories, exclusions and excesses.
- Check if you’re already covered; for example, some fee paying current bank accounts include travel insurance.
If you’re travelling to Europe also remember to get an European Health Insurance Card which will offer you state-provided medical cover either free or at reduced cost. You have to renew this every five years. However, it’s not a substitute for travel insurance.
Make sure that you take a note of your policy number and contact numbers for the insurance company on holiday with you and carry it with you at all times. It’s also a good idea to leave a copy of your insurance policy with family and friends, so they can assist in an emergency.
Points 2 and 5 are very important. Read the policy carefully, especially if you are on an activity vacation such as skiing or snowboarding. If you wish to go in the snowpark, or off-piste, then very few policies cover these activities. If you have an accident you could be landed with a €20,000 helicopter rescue just for starters! So its a good idea to make sure that you are covered before commencing your activity.
With all the problems this year with BA cabin crew strikes, ash cloud and 3 travel companies going under in a month it still surprises how many people don’t cover themselves.
Also if buying, any travel item which costs more than £100, paying by credit card affords you more protection, but this is a full subject on its own.