Insurance information;Travel insurance explained

This article explains basic travel insurance information.

Travel insurance sometimes called holiday insurance should provide these basic things.

 1- Cover for canceling or cutting short your holiday, for reasons outside your control;

2- Missed transport or delayed departures for reasons  outside your control;

3- Medical and other emergency expenses;

4- Personal injury and death;

5- Damaged, lost or stolen personal property;

6- Accidental damage or injury you cause to someone else.

 
You can buy annual or single-trip policies.

 
Most travel insurance policies do not include high risk sports and dangerous activities, such as ski-ing, mountain climbing or scuba diving. So check if you are covered. If not you will have to pay extra.

 
If you have to cancel or cut short your trip. You must show you had good reason to shorten or cancel it. A list of the reasons will be included in your policy.

 
It is worth checking your household contents insurance policy. As this may already cover you for loss or damage to your personal belongings, while you are abroad. If this is the case you should ask for a discount. In the event of a claim it simplifies matters,and your claim and pay-out will be  much quicker, because if there are two insurance companies, they will both spend months haggling over who is responsible for the claim.

 
 
If you have a credit card they sometimes include free travel insurance, if you  use it to pay for your holiday. Check carefully what you are covered for, as it may not provide  full cover for everything.

 
Some package holiday companies offer their own insurance. However you do not have to accept it. You can purchase your own insurance, usually much cheaper. A travel agent must not charge more for  a package holiday, because you did not buy their insurance. If a travel agent tries to do this, you should contact your nearest trading standards department.

 
 
MAKING A CLAIM

If you have to make claim, contact the insurance company as soon as possible to request a claim form. They may have an international helpline you can call, usually printed on your policy document or in the handbook. If not phone them as soon as you return home.

 
You are expected to take reasonable care of your belongings. And your insurer will want evidence of loss or damage. When a crime is involved , you must try to report it to the police within 24 hours, if possible.

 
Keep receipts for all goods and services that you wish to claim for.

 
PERSONAL INJURY AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

 
Always get receipts for medication and treatment.

 
If you need medical treatment on holiday, telephone your insurer as soon as possible to get authorization for the treatment. If possible contact them before agreeing to the cost of the treatment.

 
Do you have a pre-existing medical condition? This means that, if you already had a health problem or illness before you purchased the policy. You must tell the insurance company, or your claim will be rejected.

 
 
Don`t rely  on your EHIC card to cover  all your medical costs abroad. As those countries that do offer UK citizens state healthcare, will only provide the same care as a citizen of that country would expect to receive.

 
Always take your insurance information, policy documents or photo copies with you. So you have details of what to do, and who to telephone in an emergency.