Policies do vary so check for levels of cover. As a fundamental base, however, policies will have medical cover in place up to a certain limit. If you don't have cover, most countries will charge you for treatment, whether it's a minor cut or major accident.
Typically, you will also have cancellation cover included in your policy. So if, say, you were forced to cancel your holiday due to an illness, redundancy or family bereavement, you could claim back the cost of missed flights and hotels.
Travel insurance policies will also cover you for trips up to a certain number of days each - so check the amount fits your needs. You should also have adequate cover for your baggage and personal belongings while away, and a limit for any cash that you might lose or have stolen.
At TravelSupermarket we recommend the following levels of cover as a minimum:
- £2m for medical expenses
- £1m personal liability
- £3,000 cancellation - or enough to cover the total cost of your holiday
- £1,500 baggage
- £250 for cash
- Policy excesses under £100
- Cover for scheduled airline failure and end supplier failure if you are not travelling on an ATOL backed package holiday
- Delay cover (e.g. £20/hour for first 12 hours).
What am I likely to need?
Check the cover levels carefully to make sure you choose the best travel insurance for your circumstances. This will depend on your age, the value of your luggage, the type of travelling you do - whether adventurous and outdoors, or a relaxing beach break, for example - among other factors.
What should I check for in the small print of a policy?
Consider what you plan to do while away, and whether the fine print of the policy covers you for any activities you want to take part in. There are sometimes endless exclusions for risky activities, so bear this in mind when picking a policy if you're an adrenaline junkie. If you are planning on taking a cruise, ensure this is also covered.
