- Always shop around before you buy your travel insurance. Policies and prices do vary between insurers, so it is vital that you search the market to find the most suitable insurer for your requirements. The internet is a good place to start your search.
- Ensure you read the policy documents, especially the small print, to make sure that you understand what is included and excluded. If you are in doubt, ask your insurer before you depart.
- It is a good idea to forward your travel insurance policy details and insurer contact instructions to your personal email address or mobile phone so that you can recall them in the event of an emergency abroad.
- Some insurers give you a credit card-size policy card to carry in your wallet permanently. The card contains important details such as policy, emergency assistant and claims numbers.
- Inform your insurer of any pre-existing medical conditions. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy in the unfortunate circumstances of having to make a claim.
- If you are travelling to Europe, get the European Health Insurance Card. You can pick up the EHIC form from your local post office or directly from the Department of Health. This entitles you and the rest of your family access to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment in the European Union. The EHIC should not be treated as a substitute for travel insurance; it should be taken in addition to a good travel insurance policy. It will not cover all your medical treatment and will not cover any repatriation costs or non-medical related issues.
- Keep your luggage and belongings in sight at all times. Failure to do so could result in the insurer refusing to pay out on a claim.
- Insurers tend not to cover you for travel to countries that have been declared unsafe to travel to by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
5 day Euro cover from £4.33
Annual worldwide policies from just £43.08
