Going
abroad for business or pleasure is generally a well planned
experience, but often, scant regard is given towards an essential
requirement – travel insurance.
Though
the market suggests that most people do take out travel cover,
there are many occasions where such a policy is often expensive,
inadequate or totally unsuitable for the trip or holiday involved,
which could and has, led to problems abroad and financial problems
at home. Fortunately, now the industry is being brought under
professional scrutiny with the General Insurance Standards Council
(GISC) check that your advice is from a GISC qualified firm.
Often initial advice is given by the travel agent but their
travel cover rates are generally expensive and inadequate in
relation to what you can obtain elsewhere.
But
where can you find suitable, comprehensive yet good value policies?
As
more people are travelling abroad more frequently, the market
in travel insurance has increased significantly and shopping
around has become a lot easier, most particularly with the development
of the internet and the growing number of specialist travel
insurance intermediaries.
Looking
at an example: a two week travel policy for a family of four
to Disney in Florida, ranged from a low £64 to a MASSIVE £196
at the high end. Shopping around certainly does pay dividends!
Of course, it is not always true that the cheapest policy is
the best so it is important to check what you are getting for
your money and that it offers the insurance you need. Reading
the small print can be time consuming and baffling so ask your
insurer to point out the things you are covered for, and importantly,
what you are not covered for!
The
Consumers Association has conducted a survey of travel insurers
and has advised people to beware of travel agents and tour operators
charging over the odds for their own policies. That cheap holiday
can become more expensive than you think! It is now against
the law for travel agents to insist that you take out their
policy, though they may exert pressure on you!!!
Health
Advice For Travellers (Crown Copyright)
The
Association also recommends travellers check that their policy
provider operates a 24 hour emergency telephone helpline with
instant access to advice. They draw attention to form E111 (found
inside Health
Advice for Travellers booklet which can be obtained over
the counter at the Post Office) – even though it does not give
comprehensive cover.
UK
citizens are entitled to free or emergency treatment in all EU
countries if registering with the E111 Form. This is not a substitute
for travel insurance. The editor of the Skier Magazine
was turned away from a hospital in France even though he was badly
injured, as the hospital would not work with the E111. Fortunately
his wife brought out their annual insurance details and harmony
and health was restored.
Brett
Escott of Club Direct, a travel insurance specialist, said “misconceptions
about E111 are a serious issue as many do not realise that they
may have to pay medical bills running into thousands of pounds
if they are taken ill. Private treatment is excluded, so for example,
in Spain where the majority of cases are taken to a private hospital,
no protection is offered at all.”
People
who travel abroad twice or more a year are generally better off
with an annual travel policy as it is often costs less than two
single trips and cuts down administration and an annual multi-trip
policy can cover you for almost any activity. Martin Bright of
Medical and General reports a large increase in the sale of annual
policies, commenting that many people now take both a summer and
winter vacation. Indeed, the proliferation of cheaper airlines
has increased the short break holiday market significantly. The
table shown of Worldwide options (below), gives an indication
of what is on the market, with discounts available for European
cover, and for couples and single parents. Generally such policies
cover you from 31 to 45 days per trip but some allow travel for
up to 90 days at a time. However strict, comparisons of any travel
policy are never easy, as some define a family as two adults and
two children whereas others class a family as unlimited children.
Often children are covered up to age 18 but some go to age 23
as long as they are in full time education. Independent travel
definitions also differ from company to company with only a few
allowing your children to go independently, on say, a school trip
and with some covering business travel automatically. Age limits
also vary before the rates double or in some cases quadruple,
generally after 65 or 69. Some companies give you a discount if
baggage cover is not required as this is often covered by household
policies (and with better cover, too).
Insurance
prices & coverage at time of compilation
(prices
correct at time of going to press)
Insurance
Company
Telephone
Number
Individual
£
Family
£
W/Sports
Days
Heli-Skiing
Comp
Off Piste
Scuba
Diving
Amex
0800
700737
149
203
17
*Added
Premium
No
30m
Atlas
Direct
0800
013 1213
80
105
17
per trip
No
No
30m
Barclays
0845
600 8090
115
160
21
No
Yes
30m
Boots
0845
840 2020
90
148
18
No
Yes
(Q)
30m
CGU
0800
121007
71
135
17
(1 trip only)
No
Yes
(Q)
No
Club
Direct
01243
817766
85
113
24
No
Yes
(Q)
30m
Churchills
0800
026 4050
90
143
18
No
Yes
(Q)
30m
Direct
Line
020
8680 2121
89
116
17
Yes
Yes
(Q)
No
Direct
Travel
01903
812345
70
95
17
Yes
Yes
(Q)
18m
Lloyds
TSB
0800
387414
113
159
17
No
Yes
(Q)
9m
Medical
& Gen
01423
819399
109
189
90
Yes
Yes
30m
Natwest
0800
331133
90
140
22
No
Yes
(Q)
30m
Online
Travel
020
7240 3113
59
99
17
Yes
Yes
30m
Post
Office
0800
169 9999
95
152
21
No
Yes
30m
Preferential
01702
423393
70
105
17
Yes
Yes
(Q)
30m
Ski
Club
08700
759759
78
143
17
Yes
Yes
30m
Thomas
Cook
0114
260 7600
119
236
17
No
Yes
(Q)
30m
Worldwide
01892
833338
79
135
21
Yes
Yes
30m
W.S.S.A.
0870
757 2288
59
119
21
Yes
Yes
50m
W.T.C.
0800
026 4882
49
99
17
Yes
Yes
30m
*
Total Premium = £211 & £239 respectively.
Off Piste Cover: Yes (Q) = Yes but with restrictive qualifications
e.g with a guide or instructor.
All Rates Based on Worldwide Coverage. This is not a complete list of insurance companies. Always telephone and ask for current prices
Generally,
at face value, policies look similar but in reality there is often
a significant difference, more so if you are an active person
on holiday. As long as you have at least £5m medical cover and
£2m liability cover you are well on your way to organising your
comprehensive policy but bear in mind the above and check out
exclusions. Pre-existing conditions need to be declared at the
outset. Many companies will not cover you, but don’t worry as
there are a few that will and they are in the table. Indeed, anything
that you think may influence any decision to cancel, eg. an ill
parent, must also be declared at the outset or any claim could
be refused. Also, whatever the chosen company please try and obtain
any proof you can of any costs, bills, receipts, etc. to make
your claim easier to process. Insurance companies in general seem
to easily find exclusions in the small print!!!
Many
people like winter sports activities and some insurers give you
automatic cover, restricted to a number of days per annum. More
often than not “off piste skiing” is only covered with a guide/instructor.
Quite how anyone expects you to find one at the top of the mountain
in a blizzard amazes me, if indeed, you can establish whether
you are on or off piste. Part of the fun of skiing is going through
trees or over deep snow (whether you intend to or not) and policies
with such restrictions should be avoided like the plague. If you
are a skier or boarder stick to those specialists offering wider
cover such as those listed in the table.
Other
activities such as scuba diving are sometimes covered, generally
up to 30 metres which would cover most recreational diving – but
Lloyds bank only cover you to 9 metres (often the depth of a Jacuzzi
in America!!!). This area is a minefield as you could go on holiday
with no intention of involving yourself in adrenalin seeking pursuits,
but it does happen that you get involved in some activity, and
with many policies you may not be covered. If in doubt go for
a policy with someone whose scheme covers everything from Bungee
Jumping and Skydiving through to Rock Climbing and Skiing.
Many
policies also cover you in the UK with the major qualification
being that you have to pre-book at least 2 nights away. This area
is often neglected in annual cover and is important to consider
even if taking only one trip abroad and one in the UK.
To
conclude. Shop around and buy a scheme to suit YOU. Check on any
after claims service and you might even obtain future travel discounts
with some schemes on offer!
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