Four travel insurance mistakes to avoid this summer, according to an expert

No one wants to think about things going wrong on their summer holiday, but experts are urging Brits to make sure they have adequate travel insurance.

Kelly Whittington, head of travel claims at Aviva, said: “Travel insurance can give people valuable peace of mind.”

He explained that potential claims “could involve an accident or illness abroad requiring medical assistance, theft of personal belongings abroad, or a pre-holiday incident that forces a tourist to cancel their trip, such as an injury or A challenge”. “.

Here are some tips from Ms Whittington on travel insurance risks to avoid when considering travel cover.

Common mistakes in travel insurance

Leaving it until the last minute

“The most important thing is that people buy travel cover as soon as they book their holiday,” Ms Whittington said. “This means that if they need to cancel their holiday due to an unforeseen event, such as illness or injury, their insurer must cover any costs that cannot be recovered elsewhere.”

He added: “If someone plans to buy their insurance at the airport, they will not be covered if an emergency occurs two weeks before the departure date.”

Don’t check the fine print

Make sure your policy meets your own needs. Whittington advises that tourists who plan to dive or participate in other sports should check that their policy includes such activities.

He continues: “Likewise, people should check that their cover is valid for the country of destination. Most insurers offer global or European travel insurance, which offers cover in certain parts of the world.

“Global policies may include the US, Canada and the Caribbean, although most will stipulate which countries they cover.

“The same goes for European insurance policies, which can vary from provider to provider. Checking your policy documents will only take a few minutes, but could save you thousands of pounds if you need to make a claim and your policy doesn’t. cover your destination country.”

Not disclosing medical conditions

Whittington also emphasizes the importance of informing your insurer of any medical history or health changes that occur after purchasing coverage but before you travel.

She says: “This allows the insurer to properly assess the medical risks posed by each customer, along with any other risks, so they can offer cover at a fair price.”

For those with significant medical conditions looking for affordable cover, support is available, including resources from Macmillan Cancer Support for people with cancer considering travel insurance.

Recent research by Macmillan and YouGov revealed that a quarter (24%) of people in the UK who have received a cancer diagnosis have serious concerns about travel insurance.

The British Association of Insurance Brokers maintains a directory of specialist providers on its website for people who require travel insurance and who also have a serious medical condition.

Don’t go shopping

In addition to Whittington’s advice, it’s essential to compare quotes from a variety of providers to ensure the best deal to fit your needs.

Enjoy the Daily Record WhatsApp Community here and receive the latest news directly in your messages.