Check What Cover You Already Have



Before you wade into the travel insurance market and spend time finding the right package for you, make sure you check bank accounts and credit cards to see if they already offer you cover. Many credit card and bank account providers have benefits for ?premier? customers, and it's possible that you may already be one of these and therefore already have a policy. If you're not sure, then call your bank to find out what they can offer. Paying a monthly fee for having a premium account is unlikely to be worth it in the long run, but it's possible you could upgrade for free if you're a particularly good customer and the bank wants to give you incentive to stay on. If you can get one of these deals, then great, but also make sure your holiday destination is covered.

Any Special Circumstances?

Be careful if you or anyone in your travelling party has special circumstances ? it's possible that prices will be higher as a consequence as you become a high-risk customer. Specialist insurers such as SAGA may be able to help you here, but should you not be able to find a decent quote, you may be able to forego your clause about any history of illness ? just remember it'll be on your head should anything go wrong. Also if you are travelling in the EU, make sure you have an EHIC card. This will provide you with the same amount of cover as a citizen of the country you are visiting, which will mean you will get free or discounted treatment should you fall ill or be injured.

How Much Cover Do You Really Need?

Getting an EHIC card for the EU is fine for medical treatment, but then it won't actually protect you for loss of baggage, or flight cancellation. In addition, not all European countries have substantial state owned hospital infrastructure, which could mean you end up at a private hospital for emergency treatment, which in turn means paying out a heavy sum. Despite these issues, it's important that you don't overpay. It's extremely unlikely that your medical expenses would ever exceed more than ?2,000,000, while personal liability cover should be around the ?1,000,000 mark. Take out around this amount of cover with extra for loss of baggage or flight cancellation and you should be ready to go!