If you are planning a holiday this year, you’re probably already thinking about all the things that you will see and do. However, amidst all the excitement of planning there’s one very important thing you should not forget: travel insurance.
Holiday cover is an essential purchase. If something goes wrong while you are away and you are not insured, you could end up paying a small fortune. This is especially true for any medical attention you may need. So don’t take the risk. Here are three things you should always keep in mind when choosing a policy.
1. Always Read the Small Print
Small print is always important, but it is especially important when it comes to holiday cover. If you don’t read through the insurance terms in detail you may think something is included when it is not, so always take the time to go through it in depth.
If you have any questions, ask your insurer before you purchase your policy. There will normally be an email address or phone number you can use to contact them. Don’t make any assumptions and check over everything to make sure that you understand.
2. Inform Your Insurer of Any Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions are one of the potential difficulties when it comes to buying your insurance. If you have any kind of medical condition, or you have recently been treated in hospital, it is best to play it safe and inform your insurance company.
Different providers may have different conditions so you need to spell it out. Most will have some form of medical declaration or questionnaire you can fill in, and you can also contact them directly to make sure that you will be insured with your particular medical condition. Never take a chance on this point, because if you are not insured for your condition and you end up requiring medical care, you could end up with a large bill.
3. Check the Cover Limits
Every insurance policy will have maximum limits for how much they will pay out in the event of a claim. For example, if you need to claim for medical treatment, you may have a limit of £5 million. But you will also have a limit for cancellation costs and money that you lose if these are covered on your policy. Make sure you know what these limits are before you go away. You don’t want to find out at the moment of making a claim that you did not have enough cover.
Also find out about the per-item limits for your holiday cover. For example, you may be covered up to £1,000 for personal goods, but there may be a per-item limit of £200. If you lose an expensive diamond ring, this may not therefore be covered for the full amount and you may want to take out an extra insurance policy for it.
Get Covered
Make sure you get suitable holiday cover when you go away this year. It doesn’t take long to find a suitable policy, and the above factors will help you choose the right one. Once you have found a policy, you can then focus on enjoying yourself with complete peace of mind.