| Insurance is one of those areas that is generally | | | | you have the following amounts of cover as |
| unavoidable; you'll need it in some form or another | | | | minimum: Medical expenses 2m, personal liability |
| somewhere along the line. For the majority of us | | | | 1m, 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 or | | | | and finally financial ombudsman service |
| another is travel insurance. Yet many of us still | | | | membership in case you need to complain. |
| aren't sure if it's something we really need and to | | | | Insurance 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 right | | | | It 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 the | | | | assistance. This is even more compounded when |
| European health card (E111) with you when you | | | | you are a long way from home on a holiday and |
| travel, you will be covered for anything that goes | | | | you have no other way of getting anywhere or |
| wrong. This is not the case. The card is just there | | | | doing anything if your can or caravan has broken |
| to be given to a hospital, etc, in an emergency so | | | | down. |
| they will treat you (this is still a must have for this | | | | You can not put a monetary price on your peace |
| reason). You will still be billed for any treatment | | | | of mind. Insurance and roadside assistance |
| you receive in a private health care system. For | | | | provides 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, you | | | | Insurance |
| must inform the company of any/all medical | | | | Before you take out your insurance, make sure |
| conditions you suffer from, no matter how small | | | | you read and understand what is actually covered. |
| or insignificant they seem. This could prove to be | | | | Make 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 your | | | | also covers the areas you intend to visit and stay. |
| premium, but it is worth it to keep your policy | | | | If 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 any | | | | the 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 that | | | | Prices can vary quite significantly so shop around |
| some polices really are too good to be true and | | | | first. |
| cover you for the bare minimum. | | | | Make sure your comprehensive insurance covers |
| 4) If you are planning to go on a trip that may | | | | both your vehicle and caravan. The benefits are |
| include activities that could be viewed to be | | | | obvious: the loss of some personal items within a |
| dangerous by the insurance company, you may | | | | vehicle 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 covering | | | | most important benefit is the peace of mind you |
| for such activities, i.e. a winter ski policy or | | | | will have knowing you are covered if you are |
| adventure holiday insurance. If you are thinking of | | | | unfortunate to need insurance. |
| backpacking, you would similarly be best to look | | | | Make 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, multi | | | | Roadside Assistance |
| trip, family and annual policies. If you are going to | | | | Many new motor vehicles are sold with a |
| travel just once in a year as a single person or a | | | | manufacturer's warranty that includes roadside |
| couple, it will work out cheaper to apply for a | | | | assistance in the event of a breakdown. The |
| single trip travel insurance policy. If however you | | | | warranty varies from one to three years or "X" |
| will be travelling 2 or more times, a multi trip | | | | number of kilometres, depending on the make |
| policy will save you money. The same applies to a | | | | and model of the vehicle. Check your policy |
| family group, finding separate policies will be | | | | carefully before you go. Make sure it covers the |
| expensive, opt for a family policy and you will | | | | kind of travel you intend and the places you want |
| save money and most probably receive cover | | | | to go. Details of your roadside assistance |
| for children (under 18) free. | | | | package, including contact numbers, are usually |
| 6) Always check excesses on the policy you | | | | contained in the glove-box folder. |
| choose, most policies are peppered with them and | | | | If you are not buying a new vehicle and not |
| finding a policy with a better or no excess in an | | | | covered 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 to | | | | you should consider becoming a member of your |
| item/theft insurance is; if you leave valuables | | | | State based motoring organisation. Similar to your |
| unattended/ out of sight, you will not be | | | | insurance 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 holiday | | | | you break down and need them. The State based |
| provider package the holiday insurance for you as | | | | organisations all offer reciprocal breakdown |
| it will work out much more expensive in the long | | | | assistance around Australia. |
| run. In less than a couple of minutes you can find | | | | Different 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 shown | | | | are planning to more adventurous activities you |
| UK holiday makers overspend by ฃ1.3 | | | | may wish to go for the top level cover, which in |
| billion on travel insurance each year, for this very | | | | most areas offers unlimited service calls and free |
| reason. | | | | towing. Motoring organisations also offer travel |
| 9) It is important to remember that the insurance | | | | advice and sell maps, guide and car accessories. |
| company will not pay out for an accident caused | | | | Once 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 internet | | | | money you ever spent. |
| company it was found that you should ensure | | | | |