How to buy travel insurance that suits your individual needs?
The word holiday conjures images of exotic destinations complete with golden beaches, glorious sunshine, hours of relaxation and quality time with your partner. It should be a truly tranquil experience. It is probably the biggest investment you will make in a year and something that you will have been looking forward to for many months. The last thing that you would want is for your peace of mind to be shattered, but, in the event of untoward circumstances, it is great to know that you are covered for any eventuality. With adequate insurance in place, you can truly relax, knowing that your luggage, health and even the holiday itself are protected. Taking a trip without adequate insurance is a one-way ticket to worry and could end up ruining your precious holiday.
If you fall seriously ill abroad and need hospital treatment, the average cost is now £2,040, up 6.25% year on year, according to research by Sainsbury’s Finance.
Travel insurance: do you really need it for a European … (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/sep/11/travel-insurance-european-holiday
If any of the following incidents occur, you will be glad that you have adequate cover.
- The airline decides to cancel your flight.
- Due to illness you need to cancel the trip.
- Your day pack with your passport and wallet are stolen. You need to obtain emergency cash and replace the passport.
- You have a medical emergency whilst on holiday.
- A terrorist incident occurs at your destination and you wish to cancel the trip.
Annual travel insurance can cover all these events, as well as a few of you have never considered.
Cover for medical emergencies is probably the most vital element here. Circumstances may conspire for you to miss your flight, or lose belongings, but this pales in comparison to concerns about your health. It is hard to imagine a worse situation than being stuck in a foreign country, unable to repatriate yourself and at the mercy of inadequate medical care.
The bills for certain medical emergencies, for example, an air ambulance transfer can be truly astronomical.
The most expensive country for inpatient treatment is the US, with the average hospital visit costing £6,000
Travel insurance: do you really need it for a European … (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/sep/11/travel-insurance-european-holiday
If travelling in Europe a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will cover basic medical care, and is a requirement to validate most travel insurance. As a UK resident, the EHIC gives access to state provided medical care at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free, when travelling in EU countries. You will receive the same care as a resident of the country you are visiting. It will not cover costs for repatriations and routine monitoring of existing conditions. When engaging in dangerous sports, insurance becomes even more vital, as the likelihood of an accident is highly increased. A skiing holiday can become extremely expensive if you need rescuing from the top of the mountain.
As we become older our insurance needs change. Pensioners travel insurance can be more expensive as the risks a well involved are greater for the insurer. It is exciting to know that you can still scratch the travel itch and enjoy an active retirement. There is a host of reputable insurance brokers, like Columbus Direct, who can present a range of policies and advise on what is best for you.
Tags: worse situation, eu countries, incident, Insurance, mind, Member state of the European Union
Travellers need to remember European Health Insurance Card
February 21, 2008 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Travellers need to remember to take their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them when they go to Europe, warn insurance experts. 
According to the AA, the card, previously known as the E111 form, offers health insurance which is always a “good idea” when travelling.
Ian Crowder, public relations manager for the AA, said that the EHIC is a reciprocal agreement with the NHS should allow holidaymakers to receive treatment in EU countries free or at low cost should it be required.
“[However], depending where you are may depend on the standard of service you get,” he added.
Research from gapyear.com states that a quarter of those who go travelling do so uninsured or underinsured which can put their parents’ homes and financial security at risk.
Up to 230,000 people take a gap year between the ages of 18-24 who have an average spend between £3-4,000.
A further 90,000 people take a gap year between the ages of 25 and 35 and spend an average sum between £6-9,000.
