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Single Trip Or annual Cover? This will depend on how many trips you are likely to make in a year. There are some excellent deals for single trip policies but if you are going to travel more than once in a year then you can get a multiple trip policy. This will cost more than a single trip policy however you will pay less than you would if you paid for insurance each time you travel. You do not need to travel 12 times a year for an annual policy to be cost effective, for example, an adult holidaying in Europe would only need to go 3 times in one year to save money.
If you are the kind of person who jumps on a plane at the last minute then you will not have to worry about insurance if you have an annual policy. However, if you will definitely only travel abroad once a year then the single trip policy is sufficient enough for you.
If you do need to make a claim, so you are not unpleasantly surprised make sure that you know of all the standard exclusions. Below is a guide that will give you all the knowledge that you need, so that you can check that all the policy features that are essential to you are there.
Baggage and money - This is usually set up to a certain amount normally around 1,500 pounds. The standard cover for baggage and belongings is against loss, theft or damage. Insurers will give you limits on individual items which is generally between 200 pounds and 500 pounds.
New for old - The replacement of items on a new-for-old basis means the insurer will either pay for the repair of damaged property or will replace an item that is destroyed or stolen.
Cover for money - There tends to be a limit on the amount of cash paid out so check each individual policy. These limits which are about 200 to 500 pounds depending on the policy will also include travellers' cheques.
Spectacles cover - Some insurers will not give cover to replace damaged or stolen spectacles so again check the policy.
Medical cover - If you have any pre existing medical conditions then travel insurers are very strict with regards to this. This is to the point that some will totally exclude cover for any previous condition. Others are more sympathetic. You should always be totally honest when it comes to health issues. You do not gain anything by not divulging any pre-existing conditions to an insurer.
Last year the E111 was replaced by the European Health Insurance Card. This means that you can get treatment in Europe if you need it. If you hold a current one (and watch out on this one-check the expiry date), then some insurers will also waive excesses.
Cancellation and curtailment - Your insurers usually will compensate you if you have to come home or cut short your holiday due to illness or death of a close relative.
Consider the worst-case scenario of an older person having their first, massive heart attack while on holiday in the U.S.A. Repatriation may not be possible, which could mean prolonged - and very expensive - treatment in the intensive care unit of a private hospital. The hospital bill could easily run into hundreds of thousands of pounds - which should be covered if you have a good travel insurance policy, subject to their terms and conditions.
Or imagine this - you walk into Bloomingdales in New York and visit their china department. You knock over a large, expensive vase which falls to the floor and breaks into a million pieces - and also breaks the toe of the shopper next to you. Your travel insurance policy should cover legal liability, accidental injury to third parties and damage to their property. Travel insurance policies vary, so make sure you read your policy document for the exact levels of cover.
The young, fearless, and healthy may feel their immune systems are strong enough to fight off any bugs or diseases. It's easy to be blasé and feel invincible when you're sitting comfortably at home dreaming of the adventures to come. No one wants to imagine themselves or a family member ill or hurt and lying in a hospital bed in a foreign country. At least with a good insurance policy, you'll have the security of knowing that help is at hand. More important - you won't be left to bear all the medical expenses alone. No pun intended - but they could be crippling.
You don't have to go bungee jumping or engage in extreme sports to get hurt. Accidents can happen in simpler ways such as tripping, falling down steps, engaging in ordinary sporting activities or road accidents. The medical costs can be exorbitant. Repatriation costs to the UK could set you back thousands. For instance:
Transport by air ambulance, or with a medical escort, from the United States could cost anything from £10,000 to £30,000
An emergency flight home from Tenerife or Majorca could set you back anything from £10-15,000!
When purchasing travel insurance (through an agent or online) you will be asked to complete a medical screening process for each person named on the policy. If you have not been asked to do this you should walk (or click) away! It's vital that you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions at the time you purchase your travel insurance otherwise any associated claims may be invalidated. If unsure, call and ask for clarification.
If you plan to travel within the EEC don't be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will provide total cover. The EHIC should be viewed as a supplement to your travel insurance policy - not as a substitute for it. In the major tourist areas of Europe the chances are high that you'd be taken to a private hospital - not a state hospital - which would not recognize the EHIC. This would leave you personally responsible for the bill unless you have travel insurance.
As with any insurance policy there will be exclusions and you need to know what they are -- so always read the small print! Exclusions will probably include alcohol or drug-related incidents, terrorism, acts of nature, and participating in high-risk sports without special cover. There should always be a cooling off period to cancel if you feel the insurance cover is not right for you.
Being armed with water purifiers, insect repellents, antibacterial wipes, and taking care with the food and drinks you consume may not be enough. Biting insects - especially mosquitoes - are one of the main causes of disease transmission in many countries. There are other nasties you may not think about - such as parasites (often in freshwater pools), jellyfish, and ticks which can transfer onto your clothing when out hiking or camping. You may need to use public lavatories at some time during your trip and hygiene standards are not always up to the standards we are used to! Debilitating stomach bugs (Delhi belly, Tourist trots, Montezuma's revenge, etc.) can be contracted through unsanitary food handling. E.coli and other anti-fun bugs like to hide in contaminated food and water.
The simple answer is that deciding to 'pass' on travel insurance could mean potential disaster - personally and financially. The cost of a policy is a small price to pay for peace of mind. It doesn't guarantee that nothing bad will happen, but it does mean that you can thumb your nose at fate - and the bugs which might plot to spoil your holiday fun!