To receive free real-time breaking news alerts directly to your inbox, sign up for our breaking news emails.
Sign up for our free breaking news emails
The possibility of things going wrong during the holidays is not something many of us want to contemplate.
But when booking a summer getaway, it’s important to make sure you have the right cover in case the worst happens.
After all, vacations are often among the biggest “one-time” expenses of the year.
Kelly Whittington, head of travel claims at Aviva, says travel insurance can give people “valuable peace of mind”.
It explains that the range of possible travel insurance claims “could involve an accident or illness abroad requiring medical assistance, the theft of personal belongings abroad or a pre-holiday incident that means a holidaymaker must cancel their trip. trip, such as an injury or a bereavement.”
Here are some tips from Whittington on travel insurance risks to avoid when considering travel coverage:
1. Leaving it until the last moment to remove the lid.
“The most important thing is that people buy travel cover as soon as they book their holiday,” says Whittington.
“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.
“If someone plans to purchase their insurance at the airport, they will not be covered if an emergency occurs two weeks before their departure date.”
2. Not checking the fine print to make sure a policy fits your own needs.
Whittington says that, for example, tourists planning to dive or play other sports should check that they will be covered by their policy.
And he adds: “Likewise, people should check that their coverage is valid for their destination country. Most insurers offer global or European travel insurance, providing coverage 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 one provider to another. Checking your policy documents will only take a few minutes but could save you thousands of pounds should you need to make a claim and your policy does not cover your destination country.”
3. Not disclosing medical conditions.
Tourists should also tell their insurer about their medical history and any health changes that occur between purchasing coverage and traveling, Whittington says.
She explains: “This allows the insurer to properly assess the medical risks posed by each customer, along with any other risks, so that they can offer coverage at a fair price.”
Finding affordable coverage may be more difficult for people with a history of major medical conditions, but support is available.
Charity Macmillan Cancer Support has information to help people with cancer when considering travel insurance.
Recent research by Macmillan and YouGov indicated that one in four (24%) people in the UK who have been diagnosed with cancer have serious concerns about travel insurance.
The British Association of Insurance Brokers has a directory of specialist providers on its website for people who need travel insurance and have a serious medical condition.
4. Don’t compare prices.
In addition to Whittington’s advice, be sure to compare quotes from a selection of suppliers to find the best deal to suit your needs.
