Travel insurance hints and tips

Travel insurance hints and tips from Financial insight blog
Not all travel insurance policies are the same. Find out how to get the right cover for your holiday.
In the excitement of planning your summer holiday it’s important to make sure you have suitable travel insurance. Remarkably, one in seven of us go on holiday without any form of travel insurance, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Follow these guidelines to find the right cover at the best price.
1. Search the market
Avoid buying your insurance from a travel agent. It seems much easier to buy it when you book your holiday, but insurance from travel agents is typically expensive. More importantly, travel agents are not answerable to the Financial Services Authority so consumers have no protection if they are mis-sold a policy.

2. Policy type: single or multi-trip
Think about how many times you are likely to travel in a year. If you take more than one holiday a year, consider buying an annual multi-trip policy.
Although the total cost is higher, an annual policy is far cheaper when you spread the cost across the number of days you actually spend on holiday.

3. Hazardous activities and winter sports
Before you go on holiday, check your insurance policy covers 'hazardous activities' such as jet skiing, water skiing, scuba diving and winter sports. Many insurers don't provide this level of cover on standard policies.

4. Medical and legal expenses
Make sure your policy offers an adequate level of medical and legal cover. Medical and legal bills overseas, especially in the USA and Canada, can escalate out of control.
A standard insurance policy will provide up to £1 million for medical aid in Europe, and £2 million in the US and Canada.
If you are travelling within the EU, get an E111 form from your local Post Office before you leave. This will entitle you to some free treatment in Europe but it shouldn't be used as a replacement for travel insurance.
Read more about E111 forms here
Your travel insurance should also have personal liability cover of at least £1 million to cover you for damage to other people or property.

5. Driving holidays abroad
If you’re planning to take a driving holiday abroad, check your car insurance will cover you should you have an accident or breakdown abroad.
If your car insurance doesn't include European cover, you should be able to extend your policy for your holiday. Always inform your insurer that you will be taking your car abroad.

6. Existing medical conditions
If you have a medical history it is important that you are honest and tell the insurer before you take out a policy. You may be have to pay extra to include cover for your condition in the policy.
If you fail to inform your insurer of an existing condition and fall ill while on holiday, your policy may become invalid.
7. Cancellation and curtailment

Cancellation is one of the most popular reasons people claim on their travel insurance. Cover begins from the day you take out the policy, so plan ahead and start a policy a few weeks before you depart.

8. Luggage and baggage cover
All travel insurance policies should include luggage cover of some sort. Check that the limit on your policy is enough to cover the value of all your possessions should your luggage be lost or stolen.
Don't let a small accident turn your holiday into a nightmare. Take the time to find an appropriate tavel insurance policy before you set off on holidays.

Home	Travel insurance hints and tips from Financial insight blog Not all travel insurance policies are the same. Find out how to get the right cover for your holiday. In the excitement of planning your summer holiday it’s important to make sure you have suitable travel insurance. Remarkably, one in seven of us go on holiday without any form of travel insurance, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Follow these guidelines to find the right cover at the best price. 1. Search the market Avoid buying your insurance from a travel agent. It seems much easier to buy it when you book your holiday, but insurance from travel agents is typically expensive. More importantly, travel agents are not answerable to the Financial Services Authority so consumers have no protection if they are mis-sold a policy. 2. Policy type: single or multi-trip Think about how many times you are likely to travel in a year. If you take more than one holiday a year, consider buying an annual multi-trip policy. Although the total cost is higher, an annual policy is far cheaper when you spread the cost across the number of days you actually spend on holiday. 3. Hazardous activities and winter sports Before you go on holiday, check your insurance policy covers 'hazardous activities' such as jet skiing, water skiing, scuba diving and winter sports. Many insurers don't provide this level of cover on standard policies. 4. Medical and legal expenses Make sure your policy offers an adequate level of medical and legal cover. Medical and legal bills overseas, especially in the USA and Canada, can escalate out of control. A standard insurance policy will provide up to £1 million for medical aid in Europe, and £2 million in the US and Canada. If you are travelling within the EU, get an E111 form from your local Post Office before you leave. This will entitle you to some free treatment in Europe but it shouldn't be used as a replacement for travel insurance. Read more about E111 forms here Your travel insurance should also have personal liability cover of at least £1 million to cover you for damage to other people or property. 5. Driving holidays abroad If you’re planning to take a driving holiday abroad, check your car insurance will cover you should you have an accident or breakdown abroad. If your car insurance doesn't include European cover, you should be able to extend your policy for your holiday. Always inform your insurer that you will be taking your car abroad. 6. Existing medical conditions If you have a medical history it is important that you are honest and tell the insurer before you take out a policy. You may be have to pay extra to include cover for your condition in the policy. If you fail to inform your insurer of an existing condition and fall ill while on holiday, your policy may become invalid. 7. Cancellation and curtailment Cancellation is one of the most popular reasons people claim on their travel insurance. Cover begins from the day you take out the policy, so plan ahead and start a policy a few weeks before you depart. 8. Luggage and baggage cover All travel insurance policies should include luggage cover of some sort. Check that the limit on your policy is enough to cover the value of all your possessions should your luggage be lost or stolen. Don't let a small accident turn your holiday into a nightmare. Take the time to find an appropriate tavel insurance policy before you set off on holidays.
How to Book
Flights
Visas
Travel Health

	Typical american express travel policy Whether you're travelling on business as an individual, holidaying with your family, or want to protect children on school trips, you’ll enjoy maximum benefit levels from Annual Multi-trip Classic Cover. Your family is covered even when travelling separately, when the family premium has been paid. European Cover - up to 31 days per trip, subject to a maximum of 183 travel days during the policy year Worldwide* Cover - up to 45 days per trip, subject to a maximum of 183 travel days during the policy year Cover for UK trips included, provided you have pre-booked at least one night's accommodation, for business or leisure (excluding Medical Emergency and Repatriation Cover). Practical support and action on legal, medical and non-medical issues abroad by a knowledgeable, multi-lingual assistance team *No North American or Caribbean cover is available to anyone aged 66 years or over. Annual Multi-trip Classic Cover includes, per person, per trip (certain exclusions and limitations apply): Personal Assistance Services - access to our 24-hour Assistance and Information Line Concierge Services, for pre-arrival arrangements such as booking hotels and restaurants Transfer of Emergency Funds - up to £200 Homecare - up to £50 Medical Emergency and Repatriation - up to £10,000,000 outside the UK area, including Search and rescue costs - up to £150,000 Repatriation of body - up to £2,500 Emergency dental treatment - up to £1,000 For UK trips costs of transfer to hospital - up to £500 Cost of person to join or stay with you - up to £1,500 Hospital Cash - £25 per 24hr period - up to £500, including Mugging Cover – if you are hospitalised as a result of a mugging attack Personal Accident - up to £30,000 including Death (18-65 years) - up to £30,000 Death (under 18 or over 65 years) - up to £1,000 Loss of one or more limbs - up to £30,000 Loss of sight in one/both eyes - up to £30,000 Permanent total disablement - up to £30,000 Cancellation and Curtailment - up to £5,000 including Excursion Cover – up to the full pre-paid cancellation fee or excursion cost When a £1,500 loss is caused by accidental damage, fire, flooding or burglary in your home When a deposit is lost Missed Departure and /or Connections - up to £750 Involuntary Denial of Boarding - up to £400 including If delayed up to 6 hours - up to £100 If delayed more than 6 hours - up to £400 Travel Delay - up to £200 including If delayed more than 6 hours - up to £20 For each additional 12 hour delay - up to £20 Kennel and Cattery - up to £250 Personal Baggage - up to £1,500 including For any one item/pair/set - up to £250 For valuables in total - up to £300 Personal Baggage Delay - up to £200 including If delay is more than 6 hours - up to £200 Money - up to £50 if under 16, otherwise up to £500 including Loss of cash - up to £250 Loss of passport - up to £300 Personal Liability - up to £2,000,000 Legal Advice and Expenses (Advance) - up to £25,000 including Extra travelling expenses to a court outside the UK - up to £250 Extra claims, fees & expenses not covered by compensation - up to £25,000 Legal fees for a motoring offence outside the UK - up to £1,000 A Bail Bond in local currency - up to £1,000
Weather


Luxury Villa Rentals