Travel Insurance - 10 Top Tips

Insurance is one of those areas that is generallyyou have the following amounts of cover as
unavoidable; you'll need it in some form or anotherminimum: Medical expenses 2m, personal liability
somewhere along the line. For the majority of us1m, cancellation 3,000, baggage 1,500, cash 250, a
that just happens to be every day.24 hour emergency line and cover for legal costs
One area always in the spotlight one way orand finally financial ombudsman service
another is travel insurance. Yet many of us stillmembership in case you need to complain.
aren't sure if it's something we really need and toInsurance and Roadside Assistance for Your
this end, many of us travel without it every year.Caravan Holiday
Here are 10 top tips to help you make the rightIt is not until you break down that you realise just
decision.how much you really need insurance and roadside
1) It is a common myth that if you take theassistance. This is even more compounded when
European health card (E111) with you when youyou are a long way from home on a holiday and
travel, you will be covered for anything that goesyou have no other way of getting anywhere or
wrong. This is not the case. The card is just theredoing anything if your can or caravan has broken
to be given to a hospital, etc, in an emergency sodown.
they will treat you (this is still a must have for thisYou can not put a monetary price on your peace
reason). You will still be billed for any treatmentof mind. Insurance and roadside assistance
you receive in a private health care system. Forprovides that peace of mind when you are
this reason holiday insurance can be invaluable.traveling so you can just enjoy your holiday.
2) When applying for your insurance policy, youInsurance
must inform the company of any/all medicalBefore you take out your insurance, make sure
conditions you suffer from, no matter how smallyou read and understand what is actually covered.
or insignificant they seem. This could prove to beMake sure it covers everything you need for the
something that voids your policy if you do not.activities you have planned for your holiday and
You will find this most probably increases youralso covers the areas you intend to visit and stay.
premium, but it is worth it to keep your policyIf you intend going off the beaten track, doubly
valid.make sure this is covered. Check out the
3) When looking for cheap travel insurance, be"extras", including such items as a free car hire in
careful to check you are not losing out on anythe event of an accident and if this appeals to
coverage that you will need, such as theft,you it may be worth paying the little bit extra.
cancellation of holiday/flights. You may find thatPrices can vary quite significantly so shop around
some polices really are too good to be true andfirst.
cover you for the bare minimum.Make sure your comprehensive insurance covers
4) If you are planning to go on a trip that mayboth your vehicle and caravan. The benefits are
include activities that could be viewed to beobvious: the loss of some personal items within a
dangerous by the insurance company, you mayvehicle is covered, as is damage to the vehicle
find you will not be covered under most policies.through theft, vandalism or accident. Perhaps the
You will need to find a policy aimed at coveringmost important benefit is the peace of mind you
for such activities, i.e. a winter ski policy orwill have knowing you are covered if you are
adventure holiday insurance. If you are thinking ofunfortunate to need insurance.
backpacking, you would similarly be best to lookMake sure you carry copies of your insurance
for a backpacker's policy.policies with you when you are on the road.
5) The majority of companies offer single, multiRoadside Assistance
trip, family and annual policies. If you are going toMany new motor vehicles are sold with a
travel just once in a year as a single person or amanufacturer's warranty that includes roadside
couple, it will work out cheaper to apply for aassistance in the event of a breakdown. The
single trip travel insurance policy. If however youwarranty varies from one to three years or "X"
will be travelling 2 or more times, a multi tripnumber of kilometres, depending on the make
policy will save you money. The same applies to aand model of the vehicle. Check your policy
family group, finding separate policies will becarefully before you go. Make sure it covers the
expensive, opt for a family policy and you willkind of travel you intend and the places you want
save money and most probably receive coverto go. Details of your roadside assistance
for children (under 18) free.package, including contact numbers, are usually
6) Always check excesses on the policy youcontained in the glove-box folder.
choose, most policies are peppered with them andIf you are not buying a new vehicle and not
finding a policy with a better or no excess in ancovered as above with your existing vehicle or
area you think relevant is prudent.you do not think the warranty offered is suitable,
7) An important thing to remember in regards toyou should consider becoming a member of your
item/theft insurance is; if you leave valuablesState based motoring organisation. Similar to your
unattended/ out of sight, you will not beinsurance and roadside assistance, you will only
protected.fully realise the benefit of becoming a member if
8) An important "don't" is not to let your holidayyou break down and need them. The State based
provider package the holiday insurance for you asorganisations all offer reciprocal breakdown
it will work out much more expensive in the longassistance around Australia.
run. In less than a couple of minutes you can findDifferent levels of membership are offered, so
a much cheaper quote on a comparison site.check out what is most suitable to you. If you
Research from Alliance and Leicester has shownare planning to more adventurous activities you
UK holiday makers overspend by ฃ1.3may wish to go for the top level cover, which in
billion on travel insurance each year, for this verymost areas offers unlimited service calls and free
reason.towing. Motoring organisations also offer travel
9) It is important to remember that the insuranceadvice and sell maps, guide and car accessories.
company will not pay out for an accident causedOnce you have used their services, you may
whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.decide that the membership fee was the best
10) Finally, in research done by the internetmoney you ever spent.
company it was found that you should ensure