When planning a holiday, travel insurance probably won’t be the first thing that you think about. However, being insured can give you assurance that there will be help available should you need it. Travel insurance can provide financial compensation in the event of a cancelled or delayed holiday, as well as providing assistance if you lose your wallet or need medical attention.
Types of cover
Most travel insurance companies offer various levels of cover, ranging from basic to premier. A basic travel insurance policy will normally cover events such as cancellations and delays, lost belongings, medical treatment and emergency assistance. Premier policies often cover the same events, but provide a higher amount of cover.
There will also be the option of buying a single trip policy or arranging annual multi trip cover.
It is usually possible to add optional extras to your policy, such as cover for winter sports or hazardous sports. Specialist insurance policies are also available for this type of holiday, as well as for backpacking or long trips.
Things to consider
When choosing a travel insurance policy, there are several aspects that you will need to consider. One of these will be whether to arrange single or multi trip insurance. If you do not travel often, then single trip insurance may be the best option. However, if you travel on a regular basis you may be better off choosing annual multi trip insurance. These policies will normally cover an unlimited amount of holidays during the year, subject to a maximum number of days per trip.
You will also need to consider the type of activity you will be taking part in while on holiday. Most standard policies won’t cover winter sports or hazardous sports, so you may need to take out special cover or arrange this cover as an optional extra. It is important that you tell the insurance company if you intend to take part in any activities which may be considered hazardous, as non-disclosure could render the policy invalid.
You also need to check the maximum number of days covered per trip if you are taking a long holiday, as a specialist policy may be required.
Getting the best deal
It is worth shopping around when buying travel insurance, but the cheapest option may not always be the best. You will need to ensure that any policy you choose provides an adequate amount of cover for your needs.
Ways to get the best deal include:
- Using price comparison sites
- Asking friends and family for recommendations
- Checking if any free cover is provided by your bank or credit card company
Researching the options available could save you money, leaving more to spend on your holiday.