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Many of us toddle off happily on our summer holidays thinking we’ve got all the boxes checked. Passport, ticket, new wardrobe? Tick, tick and tick. But what happens if we lose our phone or need to see a doctor? That’s the worst moment in the world to remember medical travel insurance. Make sure you don’t forget to tick that box with our quick tips on purchasing insurance for your travels.
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Plan Ahead
If this is likely to be your only holiday this year, then you can save money purchasing a standalone policy. If, however, you are likely to take a few long weekends or another holiday over the course of the year, it will be more cost-effective to buy cover for the next twelve months.
Consider What You Need
What sort of valuables will you be taking with you? It can be tempting to reduce the amount of cover to keep premiums down, but remember that all your valuables are more likely to be in one place when you’re on holiday. Someone breaking into the hotel room could potentially steal your jewellery, laptop, phone, tablet and passport all in one go. Be realistic about the total value of everything you are likely to have with you and make sure it is all covered.
It can be a huge relief having cover that supports you should your passport be stolen or your flight delayed. Policies that cover the cost of accommodation and cancelled travel are a godsend in sticky situations. Likewise, some insurers will provide assistance and advice should your passport be lost or stolen. Consider whether this extra peace of mind is something you want from your policy.
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Think Medical
Ensure your policy has adequate assistance for any medical treatment you might need. If you are on an active holiday, skiing or horse trekking for instance, it is important to make sure you are covered for all eventualities. You also need to make sure your provider is aware of the kind of activities you will be undertaking. This is a factor in their risk assessment and omitting any pertinent details might well invalidate your policy. Compare the options available to you, and the relative costs of cover across providers, at Medical Travel Compared.
You also need to consider the amount of medical cover you might need as a result of your personal history. You must inform your insurance provider of any pre-existing conditions to ensure you are fully covered.
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Know Your Limits
Be aware of what your policy does and does not cover. It is no good deciding to do a skydive on the spur of the moment and discovering when you are bruised in the emergency room that you are going to have to foot the bill for treatment.
Travel insurance is no different to any other policy. Evaluate the costs of the different levels of cover and consider realistically what you might need. Opt for the policy that gives you the best value for money, not the cheapest.