Travel Insurance
Holiday insurance is just that; insurance which covers you while you are on holiday.
It is wise to shop around when it comes to choosing holiday insurance. Read the fine print on different policies, compare what they cover you for and how much they pay if things go wrong. Your travel insurance should cover you for such things as:
cancellation fees and lost deposits incurred by unforeseen circumstances which require you to cancel your trip;
overseas medical, dental and emergency expenses;
emergency flight home if required;
missed connections;
hijack and kidnap;
loss, theft or damage to your luggage;
travel delay;
accidental death;
loss of income;
personal liability;
legal costs;
and of course working holidays.
Some things you should check include:
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Is there a 24-hour telephone number obtainable from anywhere in the world in case you need assistance?
Can the policy be extended if you decide to stay longer overseas? Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
Are goods you buy along the way covered? Will it cover personal items stolen from the hire car or accommodation?
Can you make a claim while overseas or do you have to wait until you return home?
Get your travel agent (they will usually refer you to the actual insurer) to go through the policy with you or make sure you read every clause carefully.
Should you intend to participate in specific activities like whitewater rafting, sailing, winter sports, parachuting, mountaineering, etc., check your insurance policy covers you for these pursuits. For example, if you are booked to go skiing, does your insurance cover you for piste closure when there isn't enough snow? Bear in mind that even a minor accident can affect your travel plans.
If you are taking expensive items like cameras, video equipment, computers, etc., you might wish to take out additional insurance as these items aren't usually covered in general policies. Take emergency contact numbers with you in case something does happen. Should you need to put in a claim, make sure you report your loss to someone in authority, like the police, the hotel owner, etc. Obtain a written statement from them to back up your story.
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