If you’ve ever stopped to compare travel insurance policies you’ll know how difficult it is to compare like-with-like.
In fact, levels of cover vary to such an extent that it pays to work out in advance what you need cover for most,before comparing policies.
When it comes to what to look for, the Foreign Office says you should pick a policy that includes cover for medicalcare and repatriation should you fall ill, or be injured in an accident. It should also include compensation if you dieor suffer permanent disability while abroad.
The policy also needs to cover your entire trip, from start to finish, as well as any activities you’re likely to pursue.If you intend to carry out sports or hazardous activities, you need a policy that provides cover for these.Otherwise, you may find any claim is invalid. This applies to sports from skiing to scuba diving as much as othermore adventurous activities.
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The Foreign Office also advises that you think about any specific needs you have, such as care for an ongoingmedical condition. These may be automatically excluded, so if you want to know you have cover in place if youneed it, check with the insurer.
In addition to these essential elements, most policies also include some level of cover to compensate youfinancially if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to circumstances beyond your control. There may also becompensation included for loss or damage to your personal possessions, including your cash and passport. Policiesmay include legal expenses and personal liability cover in case you injure or damage a third party or their property.
What level of cover each policy offers will vary so shop around. You may already have cover in place throughexisting policies, for example, personal possessions may be covered by your home contents insurance policy. Andyour credit card may provide some level of cover for possessions or, more typically, serious disability or deathsuffered while abroad.
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Finally, you should consider whether you want single trip insurance or an annual policy that will cover you, nomatter how many trips you take. Be careful that the annual policy you choose covers trips for the duration you willneed them and it covers all the destinations you plan to visit. An annual Europe-wide policy will provide no coverfor a trip to Australia.
Remember: travelling without the right policy in place will mean you travel uninsured. This also applies if your 12-month policy runs out half way through your fortnight away, so check the dates to make sure your holiday can beas stress-free as possible.
