Travel insurance has become an essential packing item for travellers, but finding ‘the right one’ is not always so simple. There are various travel insurance policies you could purchase and each may offer different benefits and apply different exclusions.
“Travel insurance can provide cover for emergency expenses and provide you with 24/7 access to professional emergency assistance, so it’s worth considering carefully before you go on holiday,” said Dean Van Es, the CEO of travel insurance company Fast Cover. “Not all policies are created equally, but with a bit of comparison you’ll be sure to find a policy with cover that suits your needs.”
Finding the right travel insurance policy for your next holiday can be made much simpler when you understand some of the key components and how they may apply to you. Here we breakdown some of those components to help you on your search!
Can anyone buy travel insurance?
Some travel insurance companies will impose an age restriction, meaning they will not provide cover if you’re over a certain age. However there are travel insurance companies which can provide cover for travellers of all ages. Of course, policy prices can be more expensive for older travellers when compared to younger travellers. Compare a few policies according to the benefits they offer and the price and you’ll see where you can get the best deal.
Consider cover for pre-existing medical conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions can refer to any condition you’ve previously been diagnosed with, are currently being treated for, or have symptoms of. A range of travel insurance companies provide cover automatically for some pre-existing medical conditions. For example, high blood pressure, diabetes, food intolerances and osteoporosis are among conditions that some travel insurance providers automatically cover. Other conditions, such as cardiac conditions, may not be covered automatically. You might be able to pay an additional premium to cover the condition, or complications related to the condition may be excluded from cover.
Check your cover for precious items
Keep in mind that sub-limits may apply to the cover for luggage offered in a travel insurance policy. If you have precious jewellery, specialist medical equipment or valuable electronics which you are travelling with it is worth checking whether these items can be covered by your travel insurer or by your home and contents insurance.
Activities you can be covered for
It is easy to forget that cycling or hiking are considered activities that you may need cover for in your travel insurance policy. Many travel insurers provide cover for a range of activities automatically, including bicycling and snorkelling. If you plan on a more adventurous activity or sport, double check that you’ll have cover just in case something does go wrong.
When to purchase travel insurance
You can purchase travel insurance up to the day you head off on your holiday. What’s important to keep in mind is that if cancellation cover is a benefit on your policy, it can provide you with cover for the deposits you’ve put towards your holiday long before you leave. If you purchase travel insurance with cancellation cover weeks or a couple of months before you leave, you can have cover in place for lost deposits if you or a relative becomes sick or injured and you can no longer travel.
Comparing policies for the best deal
The best deals may take a little time to find! You can use comparison websites as a start to find a range of companies which will provide you with cover. Have a look at the policies offered by a few so that you know the one you choose provides you with the cover you need.
