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Travel Insurance FAQs
here are a lot of details and keep in a safe place.
misconceptions related to Check what inoculations and visas
travel insurance, and are required. Note down the
understandably most people aren’t numbers and addresses of the UK
as well versed in the fine embassy and consulate in the
details of travel insurance as I country you’re traveling to.
am – I can’t say that I blame
them! However, many Q: Should I take out travel
misconceptions put people at risk insurance before my holiday?
of spending unnecessary amounts
of money on areas that could and A: I may be a little biased on
should be covered by their travel this one, but yes! It is
insurance policy. extremely important that you take
out adequate travel insurance
So, I’ve compiled this mini even for short trips or visits to
travel insurance FAQ to assist Europe, and absolutely imperative
those who have doubts, worries or in countries outside the EU where
questions about travel insurance. different conditions make illness
more likely and affordable
Q: What should I do before going medical cover that bit more
abroad? difficult to get hold of. It also
covers for cancellation as soon
A: Make sure you have adequate as you book your trip.
travel insurance and that you
have checked the FCO Travel If you travel to a country, or
Advice for the countries you are part of a country, against FCO
visiting. Check you have advice, it is unlikely that your
sufficient money and that your insurer would meet any claim,
passport is up-to-date. Take a however. Should the FCO advice
photocopy of your passport change after you have booked a
holiday, check the position with provided by your insurance, then
your tour operator and travel you should be entitled to claim
insurance company. in most cases. Legitimate reasons
for canceling your trip could
Q: Should I be looking at single include an illness or death in
trip or annual multi trip travel the family (as defined by your
insurance? policy), freak weather conditions
suspending travel for 24 hours,
A: Only you can answer that burglary or damage to your home,
really – although single trip being a victim of criminal
insurance is (generally) cheaper, assault resulting in you being
it does exactly what it says and medically unable to travel, being
covers you for just the one trip. called up for emergency military
By contrast, annual multi trip service or jury duty (subject to
travel insurance will cover you the specific terms and conditions
for the whole year on various of the policy). Likewise, if the
breaks, making it the choice if hotel or resort (for independent
you think you’re likely to travel travelers) you’re due to visit
that much. You may find that just suffers from a terrorist attack
taking two trips a year would in the days leading up to your
make annual multi trip travel travel, you will generally be
insurance cheaper than the single able to claim.
trip variety!
Q: Who pays if I need to be
Q: What sort of reason for hospitalized overseas or flown
cancellation is valid to ensure back to the UK?
cover from travel insurance?
A: If you have proper travel
A: As long as your reason is insurance, the insurance company
within the scope of cover should pay such fees. If not, the
cost will fall to you or your buy the travel insurance, you’ll
relatives and friends. be unable to claim on it. As
always the key advice here is to
Q: Is a European Health Insurance check the policy wording with a
Card (EHIC) the same as health fine tooth comb.
insurance?
Q: How can I find out whether it
A: No. The free European Health is safe to travel to a particular
Insurance Card (EHIC) shows that country?
the holder is entitled to reduced
or free emergency care only A: It is strongly advised that
within the EU. You will still you check the FCO Travel Advice
need travel insurance to ensure section of their website
you will be covered fully in the (fto.gov.uk). This information is
event of illness or injury. The regularly updated and should give
EHIC card will help though, by you solid advice on where is and
reducing your initial outlay is not safe to travel (remember,
before you can be reimbursed by areas officially outlined as
your travel insurance company. ‘unsafe’ will seldom be covered
by travel insurance policies).
Q: Is my pre existing medical
condition a big issue? Q: Is it safe to travel after a
terrorist attack overseas?
A: Generally, yes. Check the
wording of your policy to ensure A: Unfortunately, there is no
it covers pre-existing medical such thing as risk-free travel,
conditions. Often they’re not and the absence of advice against
covered unless you pay an extra travel to a particular country or
premium, and if you fail to area does not imply that the FCO
declare your condition when you guarantees safety in that country
or area. each policy is different, but
with this advice you should be in
I hope this travel insurance FAQ a better position to shop around,
has proved useful – it’s only next time you need to purchase
really scratching the service and travel insurance.
About the Author:
Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Journey’s Travel. Their commercial travel insurance website, Insuremore, offers cheap annual multi trip travel insurance packages for families, singles, children and skiers with free cover against acts of terrorism and a quick and easy online claims feature.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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