Before setting off, pay close attention to world events, as if there's social or political unrest in your chosen destination, the Foreign Office may be advising against travel to that area. If this is the case, and you press on with your travel plans, you will not be covered by your travel insurance policy, as it will not be valid. To be on the safe side, check the advice posted on the Foreign Office website.
Also check your policy to see what sports you are permitted to take part in, as many adventure sports, such as bungee-jumping and abseiling, may not be covered. Equally, even if you've paid extra to get “winter sports cover” added to your policy, you may not be covered if you decide to ski off-piste or if you decide to go ice-climbing or dog-sledding.
There's also a risk of rendering your travel insurance policy invalid if you fail to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying for cover. If in doubt, speak to your insurer before signing up to set your mind at rest over any queries you may have.
Read the T&Cs - When taking out any type of travel policy, including worldwide travel insurance, you must spend time going through the small print with a fine-tooth comb, as policies can often come with a raft of exclusions and conditions.
By scouring the T&Cs at the outset, you can find out exactly what you are and are not covered for, giving you the peace of mind you need to go off and enjoy your travels.
