In this article
Buying Travel Insurance
Generally, tour operators and travel agents can't insist that you take out their own travel insurance.
It's illegal for a tour operator to discriminate against a traveller not taking their insurance by way of price, discount or surcharge.
In these circumstances, check to ensure the package (including the insurance) represents good value for money and that the policy offers you a good level of cover. They should cover, at least, the following:
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cancellation of, or cutting short, your holiday
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illness or injury while you're away
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loss or theft of your belongings
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delayed or missed connection
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liability for accidents to others
Remember...
If you need to cut short your holiday because someone at home is ill, ensure you get the insurer's consent before rearranging flights.
If you plan to try out sports or activities on holiday that could be considered hazardous, such as scuba diving, a standard policy may not cover you. You may be able to get this added to your insurance. If not, you need to arrange a specialist policy. Don't rely on buying local insurance abroad.
Things to remember
- Ensure you understand what you're covered for and what you aren't.
- Take the insurers contact details with you and a copy of your policy - always call them for consent if you're booking something which will form part of your claim.
- Keep bills and receipts to support your claim.
Take as much care of your possessions as you would if they were uninsured.
If you don't, the policy may not pay out. Never leave belongings unattended, particularly at airports, or in an unattended vehicle or on the beach. Keep all valuables, passports and money in your hand baggage when travelling, not with the rest of your luggage.
Ensure you know all that's required of you to make a claim. If an item is stolen, for example, the policy may require you to contact the police within 24 hours and produce proof of notification to support your claim.
Check out your household insurance policy. You may find that some of the valuable items you're taking on holiday are already covered under an 'all risks' extension.