A Crash Course in Travel Insurance
The flights are arranged, the hotel rooms are reserved and the activities are booked. There’s still time to pop to the shops and buy some travel accessories or kit yourself out for the holiday ahead.
‘Is there anything else I need?’ you ask yourself.
‘Ah, yes: travel insurance. But do I need travel insurance?’
With the extended cover offered by credit cards, and initiatives like the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) now in place, it’s no wonder many of us wonder whether travel insurance is really worth it.
Yet, taking out travel insurance can be a very smart move indeed.
Your insurance cover, of course, will vary wildly according to who you get it from and which policy you choose. However, there are only really four main types of cover to compare.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
This reimburses your non-refundable travel costs if your trip is cancelled or seriously delayed. It also covers you if a travel company goes out of business. Make sure your cover offers protection up to the amount you paid for your tickets and gives you sufficient daily amount for delays.
Baggage and Personal Items
If someone steals something from your bag, or your luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance will usually cover day-to-day personal items. Many, however, have a limit on the individual items that are covered. Make sure, if you are carrying expensive items or gadgets, that they are covered by your insurance.
Emergency medical insurance
This cover is crucial, in the event that you fall ill or are involved in an accident abroad. Make sure that your cover extends to the amount you would need and includes repatriation. The other important thing to check is that any activities, such as skiing or scuba diving, are covered by your policy.
Accidental Death or Dismemberment
It’s a holiday: nothing is going to happen, is it?
Yet, if you or a loved one die on the trip or suffer a life-impairing accident, this cover pays out a large sum that can take care of many of the consequences. We all hate to think about it, but for certain types of holiday (think adventure holidays or extreme sports trips), it is well worth making sure you have some support if disaster does strike.
So do I need it?
You certainly need cover for all of the things listed above, so the only real question is whether you are covered for these adequately elsewhere?
Your credit card may cover you for cancellations or companies going bust, your life insurance may already cover death or dismemberment and your health insurance, or the EHIC for that matter, may cover emergencies abroad.
Whatever you decide, do remember that you have to get insurance before your trip starts. You are not protected retrospectively.
Our Travel Managers can advise you on the perfect cover for your perfect trip. Let us arrange the details and leave you with nothing to worry about.
Call us today on 0203 535 9290, or email leisure@simplexitytravel.com.