If it’s your first time traveling outside the country or shopping for travel insurance, you may not know what to look for. This can be difficult even for seasoned travelers. According to recent data from the Association of British Insurers, as much as 40% of travelers travel without the right coverage.
Misunderstanding your policy or making crucial errors could lead to you being left with no help when you need it the most, so choose wisely. Let’s take a look at what you should do if you want to find the right coverage for you.
Understand the Basics
The very first thing you need to do is make sure that you have the basics down. Know that insurers are obligated by law to give you a 14-day period to review your policy, so take advantage of this. The first and most important policy for most people is medical insurance. Everyone wants to feel like they will be covered in case there’s a medical emergency. It is often recommended that you get a policy that will cover you up to £2 million in the EU and £5 million anywhere else around the world.
Some countries will charge much more for healthcare and some will be riskier, like tropical areas with strange diseases. This is why it’s important that you remember to get insurance for your next holiday, and make sure that your insurer will be there for you when you need them. Staysure is a great option in this case. They offer 24/7 service and will cover for things like repatriation if needed. They will also cover you if you have pre-existing conditions, which is not always the case with all insurers.
Other Basics to Watch Out For
Besides medical coverage, there are other things you should be looking for. You want an insurer that will cover you in case your luggage is lost by the airline. You also should be looking for insurance for cancellations. Also, check how much you’ll have to pay in case you make a claim. A cheap policy will often have a high excess. The excess is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket in case you make a claim. For instance, if the excess is £100 and the claim is for £300, then the company will pay £200.
Single Trip vs Annual
If you were thinking of travelling a lot this year, then you might want to consider going for an annual policy. If you’re travelling more than three times per year, then you’re almost guaranteed to save money this way. However, you need to pay special attention to the day limit on destinations. This is where things can get tricky. Some will limit trips to as low as 21 days, so that could be an issue if you fall in love with a destination and don’t have a set return date.
Check if Your Destination and Activities Are Covered
Another very important thing is making sure that the destination you were thinking of going to is covered. You also have to check what kind of activities you are thinking of partaking in. Too many people end up getting injured doing some extreme activity only to find out that they have to pay for everything. Most insurers will have a clear list of activities you can do, so make sure that you review this before you leave.
These are all tips that should allow you to find a great insurance policy for your next trip. Whatever you do, make sure that you take the time necessary to review the policy, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.
