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 £30.
Insurance that won't cost a packet
Lots of 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 at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
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 the family jewels. 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. Forms are also available to download from the Department of Health’s website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers
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.
Irish passport holders should contact their local health board.
Oonagh Shiel
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Updated September 2008
