Travel Insurance - How to get adequate cover at affordable prices
There is no legal obligation to take out travel insurance before you go
abroad, despite what some travel agents may tell you, but protecting yourself
against cancellation, injury, illness, losing your passport or holiday money
is an excellent idea and is not as expensive as you might think. An annual
policy can start from about £100.
Insurance that won't cost a packet
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you a range of different types of policies. To use find a policy for you,
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It's worth bearing in mind that many people travel abroad more than once a
year so an annual policy could be a better (and cheaper) option than one-off
cover for a single trip. With a yearly policy, some insurers will cover you
for trips in the UK as well.
Cheap is good but…
You should also be aware that the insurance you take out should be
adequate for the type of holiday you are going on. Some insurance providers
limit the number of children covered by a single policy (usually two
children), while others cover all under-16s.
Adventurous travellers should remember that some providers will not cover
extreme sports such as heli-skiing or bungee jumping. You may have to pay an
extra premium. Also, some insurers restrict the number of times a traveller
can indulge in their extreme sport (this may mean just a couple of bungee
jumps off Plettenberg Bay in South Africa), although most include a certain
amount of winter sports cover in all their policies.
For more information on travel insurance, and to find out in a flash how
best to avoid trouble, check out the Foreign and Commonwealth office website.
Remember to find out ...
How much the excess is and whether it applies to one amount per claim or
for each part of a claim. Make sure you check the limit on individual items.
You may need higher limits if you are bringing Granny's diamonds. Shop
around. Get several quotes before committing your cash.
The best things in life are free (or at least you have already paid for
them in taxes)
Get yourself (and each member of your family) an European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC), available from post offices, which replaces the old E111 form.
Forms are also available to download from the Department of Health’s
website.
This entitles holders of British and Irish passports to discounted or free
health care in most European countries.
The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical
treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness
or an accident. The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment
only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as an "insured" person living
in the country you are visiting. Remember that this might not cover all the
things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may
have to make a contribution towards the cost of your care.
The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or
pre-existing illness, but the EHIC won't cover you if getting medical
treatment is the main purpose of your trip. You are advised to take out
comprehensive private insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of
whether you are covered by your EHIC.
Your EHIC should cover you for routine maternity care while you are away,
but if you are going to an EEA country or Switzerland specifically to have
your baby, you will need an E112 form, available from the International
Division, Department of Health, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road,
London SE1 8UG.
Irish passport holders should contact their local health board.
Updated February 2008
