Do You Need Insurance?
Some bank and credit card accounts come with benefits which often include travel insurance. If you have such an account check the terms of the travel insurance policy to make sure it includes everything you need – winter sports or cover for hazardous activities may be excluded under the standard policy.
Disclose, disclose, disclose
When you buy a travel insurance policy you will be asked certain information which allows the insurer to set the premium including your medical history. If you fail to disclose an important piece of information your entire policy may be void as a result – it is just not worth taking that risk.
What level of cover?
Most policies provide cover for cancellation or curtailment of the holiday, personal liability insurance in the event that you cause injury to someone else or damage someone else’s property, cover for missed departures or travel disruption, cover for personal money, possessions and loss of passport and travel documents and legal expenses cover to cover legal costs in the event that you need to make a claim for damages for personal injury arising out of an accident while you are away.
European Health Insurance Card
If you are travelling to Europe it is worth obtaining one of these and carrying it with you to minimise delays in getting treatment while your insurance documents are retrieved. Over half the population in the UK don’t have one, and in the last year almost 5.3m expired, so check yours. Apply for a EHIC here.
Single trip versus multi trip
What will work best for you will depend on how often you are likely to be travelling abroad in any given year. If you obtain a multi-trip policy you must remember to update the insurer if any of your details change.
