Holidays need travel insurance to be on the safe side no matter where in the world you are going. The insurance you get will depend on the area of the world you’re travelling to and what activities you intend to do. However, for many Britons, when faced with a huge choice of options, it can be difficult to know what to choose for you. Paul Williams, Group Head of Sales at insurance company Europ Assistance, explained to Express.co.uk what is and isn’t covered by holiday travel insurance.
“While travel insurance plans have a variety of add-ons and packages that can help protect your specific trip,” said Williams, “most cover a range of unexpected problems including trip cancellations and interruptions, lost, damaged, or delayed luggage as well as issues caused by sickness or injury, and issues that require medical evacuation.”
So what should holidaymakers be aware of when buying such insurance? “The main thing travellers should know when considering coverage is that travel insurance is there for the unexpected and meant to address issues when they occur, not before they do,” said Williams.
“For example, while travel insurance may cover a trip delay or cancellation due to a natural disaster, it does not cover travellers who cancel their trip based on their fears surrounding said event.”
It’s also key to buy your insurance at the right time – it could make all the difference.
“Buying travel insurance during the booking process is always recommended, as certain events, such as hurricanes, are not covered after the storm is named,” Williams clarified.
Many Britons may think travel insurance is simply not necessary and that it’s unlikely anything will go wrong, but it’s an error to think like this, elucidates Williams.
“Problems can happen more often than you think. For instance, in 2017, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) revealed that the number of travel insurance claims increased by 30,000 compared to the year prior to 510,000, resulting in one claim every minute.
“Furthermore, ABI found that £145 million was paid out on 174,000 claims for cancelled holidays and 86,000 people received £17 million worth of assistance following their baggage being delayed and money lost while travelling – two of the most common travel issues.”
Williams’ main tips to holidaymakers are to know what they are buying, to be aware of what the policy covers and to take care to read the full policy.
“The biggest thing I tell people when purchasing travel insurance is – know what you are buying,” he said.
“I also encourage people to fully read their insurance policies so that they are aware of what is considered a ‘covered event’ (like a hurricane) and what is not covered.
“If you realise the policy you bought might not be the correct one, take advantage of ‘free look’ periods that allow you to cancel or upgrade your policy in that timeframe.
“Ultimately, the better informed you are on your purchase, the happier you will be with it.”
So what are the benefits of having travel insurance for your holiday? “There are many reasons why a consumer should consider purchasing travel insurance,” explained Williams.
“Emergency assistance and transportation is an important benefit that travellers should consider when purchasing a plan. These can include physician-ordered emergency medical evacuations and the non-emergency return to one’s home country if deemed medically necessary by a physician.
“Many plans come with a host of benefits that include protection for lost, stolen, or damaged items such as baggage, passports, and visas.
“For example, the plans we offer can provide reimbursement for these items as well as help pay for the administrative fees to reissue them.
“Travel delay, missed connection, and trip interruption are also important coverages when considering travel insurance as these are intended to help reimburse expenses like lodging accommodations, meals, and transportation that can arise when flights are delayed or cancelled; passports, money, or other travel documents are lost or stolen; natural disasters or adverse weather disrupt travel; or you become sick or injured while travelling.”
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