Travel insurance tips
Things can go wrong when you're travelling. You could have your belongings stolen, get food poisoning or have an accident. Your trip may even get cancelled at short notice.
To safeguard yourself make sure you have travel insurance - and a policy that's right for you. The cheapest may not always meet your needs. Buy one that doesn't and you could find yourself in trouble if you need to claim.
For example, the Foreign Office says the cost of ferrying someone back to the UK from the east coast of the USA in an air ambulance can cost £30-35,000.
1. Check the policy before you buy
This ensures you have the right policy for your needs. A lot of disputes happen because people think they're covered and discover too late that they're not. In particular, look out for:
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The maximum amount you can claim on individual items.
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Excesses: if it's £50 per item that means you have to pay the first £50 of any claim - that's £50 for the camera, £50 for the money, £50 for the passport and so on.
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The extent of medical protection you have: this matters if you're on holiday in countries like the USA where the cost of care can be high.
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Anything you're not covered for such as pre-existing medical conditions.
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Whether you're covered for lost/stolen cash and how much.
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Whether loss is covered as well as theft.
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Whether 24-hour emergency assistance is available.
2. Declare any pre-existing medical conditions
The contract between you and the insurer is based on 'utmost good faith'. This means you have a duty to disclose anything that may affect the granting of a policy, any exclusions or its price.
If you fail to tell the insurer that you had major surgery and go on a mountaineering expedition, you may well find your medical claim is not valid if you fall ill.
Be honest about where you're going and the activities you're likely to be involved in, whether you think they're hazardous or not. For example, some insurers may want to know that you're planning to play golf and tennis or go horse riding, sailing or jet-skiing. You may also have to pay more if you're doing winter sports.
3. Take the policy with you on holiday
The policy should tell you what to do in the event of theft or loss, what you’re covered for plus details of who to call in an emergency.
4. Keep records of expensive items you take
If you're planning to take expensive jewellery or a costly camera, make sure you have a picture of it at home along with any receipts.
One of the most common disputes between policyholders and insurers is over the actual existence of the item and what it cost to buy. Having proof helps.
5. Report all theft and loss swiftly
Try to keep valuables in the hotel safe. If anything is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the local police. Make sure you get an accident report number or similar document as proof that you've reported the loss.
On package holidays, also report the theft/loss to the hotel management and/or the travel rep.
If a bag is lost or stolen at the airport, report it at the time. Get a receipt from the airline or baggage handler in the event of loss or damage.
6. Get paperwork in order for medical claims
For medical claims in Europe, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card. This has replaced the old E111 form. Ask at your local Post Office for details. The card qualifies travellers for the same medical treatment as local residents.
Your policy will tell you what steps your insurer requires you to take in a medical emergency. Follow them to the letter and ensure that any doctor or hospital knows that you have travel insurance with medical cover.
If you have to buy any medicines, keep receipts and original prescriptions where possible. If you're offered a flight home, check that staff on it are equipped to care for you or that you will be accompanied.
7. What to do if you need to claim
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Go through the policy wording and work out what you can claim for.
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Provide all supporting documentation to back up what you say.
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Provide the insurer with suitable evidence, including receipts, photographs and copies of any police or medical reports you have.
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If you do send original documents, make sure it's by recorded delivery. Send copies where possible.
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Keep all correspondence and make accurate records of every phone call, the name of the individual you spoke to and the time you spoke to them.
8. And if your claim is rejected?
The claim may be rejected or scaled down for all sorts of reasons. For example, most policies won't cover alcohol or non-prescribed drug-related incidents and you must take 'reasonable care' of your possessions.
You should first appeal against the decision, producing any additional evidence or making further comments as required to help the insurer decide in your favour.
If you ultimately get no satisfaction from the insurer, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be of help.
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