Great Gap Year Travel Insurance

If you are in the midst of planning your gap year travel then remember to add travel insurance to your essentials list. There is no way of predicting what the future holds and travel insurance can give you peace of mind that you are protected against whatever comes your way.

You might experience cancelled flights or could lose your luggage and in either instance having a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place could help you out of the situation, saving you time, money and hassle.

Gap year travel insurance is widely available and can start from as little as around £39 for three months European cover. When it comes to organising your travel insurance, first of all think about the countries you are travelling to.

Insurance policies vary in the extent of their territorial cover and the related premiums, so you should check that all your planned destinations are included in your insurance policy. If you are only travelling within Asia, taking out an Asia-specific policy will be enough and the same applies to Europe.

If you haven’t planned that far ahead but know you will be visiting countries outside of Europe then worldwide cover would be a sensible option.

Gap year travel insurance can also be adapted to suit the amount of time you plan to be away for. From ninety days to twelve months, you can choose cover to fit in with your plans which is perfect if you are taking a long break before or after studying or simply feel like an extended holiday.

One of the benefits of gap year insurance is being rest assured that if you become ill during your trip then you will have access to medical care and treatment. The recent swine flu pandemic serves as a reminder that viruses can break out and spread quickly and all without warning.

When the swine flu virus first broke out the World Health Organisation (WHO) placed restrictions upon travel to Mexico where the virus seemingly started out.

There are now no recommended travel restrictions to Mexico or any other countries as these measures may not be effective in stopping the spread of the virus.

Individual countries are free to set their own travel policies so it makes sense to check out what’s happening around the world before you plan your trip and arrange your gap year travel insurance.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) hold a wealth of information specific to individual countries so this is a good place to start, either by checking their website or telephoning their helpline. The World Health Organisation also issue travel advice.

Before you travel it is advisable to research the level of medical care available in the region you are visiting, including access to anti-viral medications in the event you need treatment for an influenza-like illness. You should also speak to your doctor to discuss whether you should receive appropriate vaccines and other preventive measures for the destinations you intend to visit.