With more and more people travelling abroad on holidays, travel insurance has become increasingly affordable. At these prices, it seems silly not to buy travel insurance, since you never know what can happen when you leave your home.
Travel insurance cover ranges from the very basic cover, such as luggage protection, to the crème de la crème of coverages, which includes everything from luggage replacement to medical airlift evacuations. However, there is plenty in between, for the average traveller.
Major policies distinguish between single travel and annual policies. If you only travel abroad once a year, then the single travel coverage is the right policy for you. However, if you travel abroad several times a year, it may make sense to buy an annual coverage. This way you don’t have to worry about whether to buy insurance every time you travel.
General travel insurance will cover you against numerous events, such as tour or airline cancellations, emergency medical costs, personal accident, lost and/or delayed baggage, legal expenses and advice, as well as general theft. Additional optional coverages can include: kidnapping, hijacking, mugging, lost or damaged baggage, pet cover and medical airlift. There are also specific sporting coverages that will insure your valuable sporting gear, such as scuba diving equipment, skis or golf clubs.
As with any insurance, it is important to read the fine print to make sure that you are getting the coverage that you need. For travel insurance, it is especially important to take a look at the exclusions – such as delayed luggage may be covered, but not lost luggage – and excesses – which can range from nothing to over £100.
Shop around, as premiums vary considerably and also check what automatic travel insurance you already may have by having booked your holiday with your credit card. No need to buy extra luggage cover, if your credit card already automatically provides coverage for it if you charge your airline tickets.