European or worldwide cover?
Choosing between European policies and worldwide cover may sound simple. But there can be discrepancies; while some insurers consider Turkey and Egypt to be in Europe, others do not.
Looking for an adventure?
Part of the appeal of travel for many students is the opportunity to have new experiences, whether this is white-water rafting in Zimbabwe or climbing trees in the Amazon.
On standard travel insurance policies, adventure sports are often automatically excluded because of the high level of risk. But with a specialist gap year policy, such activities are more likely to be covered. Again, always double check the small print if you are considering a specific activity.
Working while away?
You may want to spend some time working while you are away, either to continue funding your trip or to get some experience to put on your CV. Working abroad and volunteering are generally covered by gap year policies. However, manual labour is often excluded so, again, double-check the policy terms.
Remember your EHIC
An EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which basically gives you the same rights to state health care as local residents, is essential for travel in Europe. To apply for your free card, visit the NHS website.
But beware: the card is in no way a substitute for travel insurance. It won’t cover emergency repatriation or your backpack being stolen, for example.
Things to look out for when buying your policy
*If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it's important that you tell your insurer, as if you were to get ill without disclosing this, it could invalidate your cover.
*Countries that are either warzones or in a state of political or social unrest are unlikely to be covered by travel insurers, so keep an eye on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website’s advice.
*Insurers are very unlikely to pay out for a claim if you are under the influence of either alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of the incident.
