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