Recent announcements that BA’s fuel surcharges will be going up on certain routes has prompted speculation that some people may try to save cash by skimping on travel insurance.
The situation has not been helped by some people losing faith in travel insurance, having found themselves uninsured during the ash could crisis or ineligible to claim following airline strike action.
It’s estimated that around 25% of people who go on holiday don’t take out travel insurance. But our advice is: don’t risk it.
Costs of medical care abroad can be extortionate for visitors and repatriation bills even higher. If something happens, it will either be you or your family who will end up footing the bill, and seeing as insurance is not expensive anyway, it’s just false economy to travel without it.
Multi-trip travel insurance
If you’re going to travel abroad more than once or twice a year, save money by get an annual multi-trip insurance policy. This is also handy if an unexpected trip comes up, as you’ll be covered for that too.
Be sure to add in any extras such as winter sports coverage, and do shop around online and compare different policies. The cheapest tend to have large excesses and lower cover limits; it may be worth paying a little more to lower the excess and raise the cover limit.
Car Hire – annual excess cover
If you hire cars on holiday more than once a year, get an annual excess cover. Many car rental companies charge a hefty amount to waive any excess, (as much as £15/day) but cut your costs right back by taking out annual excess cover for as little as £50 a year.
Note – most don’t cover you for car rental less than 150 miles from your home address – so this is no good for local car hire.
Top tips on Travel Insurance
1. Shop around (obviously!) and scrutinise the policy. The big differences tend to be in the amounts of excess you’ll need to pay in the event of a claim. It may be worth paying more a little more to lower or eliminate your excess.
2. Double check you are covered for your activities. Some more risky activities won’t be covered, so check the details on skiing, bungee jumping etc.
3. Ensure you declare pre-existing medical conditions or you may invalidate your cover.
4. Check whether or not you need vaccinations or boosters for the country you are visiting. If you are not sure, go to your GP who will advise you. If you fail to get the right jabs and contract a preventable disease, you’re your policy could be invalidated.
5. If you need any pressing dental work, get it done before you travel.
6. If you take prescription medicines, get a copy of it in case of emergency. Also, check that the country you are going to does not list your medication as a restricted drug.
7. If you are an EU citizen and travelling within the EU, get yourself a European Health Insurance Card to get free or heavily discounted medical cover abroad. You can apply online and it’s very quick and easy.
8. Take a decent medical kit containing rehydrating powders in case of stomach upsets, antiseptic and antihistamine for bites. If travelling to really remote places, then take a pack including sterilised syringes and a transfusion kit.
9. If you are seriously allergic to anything, consider wearing an identity bracelet or chain to announce the fact. Failing that, keep a note inside your wallet which explains the allergy.
10. Take spare glasses or a good supply of contact lenses if your eyesight is poor.
So, it may not be the most interesting item on your packing list, but travel insurance is an essential one!
