Travel News USA : Vacation & Travel Blog Traveling Tips, Traveling News, Traveling Destinations, Traveling Photo

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) says that many people deeply regret not taking out travel insurance. They think their credit card accident cover, home insurance, or private health cover is sufficient. The reality is that you do not have appropriate travel insurance and you suffer serious injury or lose valuable possessions you will face harsh financial consequences.

The FCO has guidelines for what your insurance should cover in the event of an emergency or other problems you may experience while on holiday.

The real cost when things go wrong. An emergency abroad can be extremely expensive. If you need to be returned to the UK it could cost you thousands of pounds, unless you are adequately insured:

* £30-35,000 - air ambulance from USA’s East coast

* £12-16,000 - air ambulance from the Canary Islands

* £15-20,000 - scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort from Australia

What should my travel insurance policy cover?

* medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad – more information on medical and health cover page

* 24 hour emergency service and assistance

* personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property

* lost and stolen possessions cover

* cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover

* extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as jet skiing.

The policy should cover the whole time that you’re away.

Your policy may also have:

* personal accident cover

* legal expenses cover

* financial protection if your airline goes bankrupt before or during your trip.

Many insurers will extend cover if you ask them. If not, shop around for a specialist policy.

Common travel insurance policy exclusions

Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy:

* most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents

* you must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

Travel insurance buying tips

* shop around to find a good price and the right product rather than opting to travel without cover

* cheaper policies will usually have less cover – for some the price seems most important, but is it worth the initial saving?

* consider annual multi-trip insurance if you make several trips a year – you’ll save time and money.

Cancelling or cutting a trip short

A good insurance policy will cover you for cancelling or cutting a trip short. Check carefully to see exactly what you’re covered for:

* accident

* illness

* pregnancy (unknown when you buy the policy)

* jury service or witness summons

* home emergency: fire, storm or flood, burglary

* redund Read more