Travel Insurance Explained
Confused by travel insurance? Our guide will tell you what you need to know
What can be covered?
The level of cover will of course vary from policy to policy, but below are some of the most common circumstances covered by the majority of insurance policies, plus a few more specialist policy elements you might need to consider.
Medical Bills
This is probably one of the most compelling reasons to take out travel insurance. Should you be unlucky enough to fall ill or have an accident while abroad, medical fees can be very expensive.
Even though agreements between countries in the European Union mean that basic or emergency health care is available at a reasonable cost, the cost of a serious illness or accident can be a shock to those of us used to the National Health Service. And in other areas of the world, costs can escalate into the thousands extremely quickly.
Cancellation
Especially in the current climate, flights can be cancelled at short notice, or events may conspire to make a destination less attractive, leading to the cancellation or disruption of your holiday.
The costs of this - or cancellation for most other reasons - can be covered by insurance, leaving you with the peace of mind that even if you do lose your holiday, you won't lose your money too.
Loss of Luggage
With hundreds of thousands of people flying on tens of thousands of flights every day, there is always the chance of your luggage getting 'lost in the system'. While computer technology and higher security have made this unfortunate situation much less common, mistakes can still happen.
If your luggage becomes lost temporarily or permanently, your insurance can replace all your possessions or provide you with emergency replacements or funds until the luggage is found.
Damage to Possessions
Your household insurance may cover your possessions while you are abroad, but this may be limited to named items or a limit on how much you can claim. Most travel insurance policies will have an option to cover your personal possessions against damage or theft while abroad.
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