Adequate insurance needs to be arranged by winter sports fans

With winter now here there may be many people that are planning on heading out for a break to enjoy the exhilarating thrill of winter sports. This is the type of holiday that is hugely popular with many people, but is also the type of break that comes with increased risks due to the higher risk of injury. There are also higher risks posed because of the costly equipment that holidaymakers on winter breaks have to take with them, which can cost a fortune in the event of loss, theft or damage.

Officials are now urging consumers to ensure that if they do decide to take a break involving winter sports they take the time to take out the right level and type of travel insurance. Whilst some people may already have travel insurance or may take out a standard policy it is necessary to take out a special policy when participating in winter sports. Without this, the holidaymaker may find that they are not covered and in the event of an accident, injury or issue with equipment this could prove to be extremely costly.

When arranging travel insurance for winter sports holidaymakers need to make sure that not only are they covered against the increased medical and health risks that come with winter sports but that they also ensure that their costly equipment is also covered. With standard travel insurance a large percentage do not provide cover for any type of winter sports, which is why travellers need to check their policy before they head off on a winter holiday.

One official stated: “To ensure they get the right type and level of cover for their trip, people need to focus first and foremost on pinpointing the features they need.”

Tags: theft, winter holiday, whilst, event, break

Finding a low cost winter break

At this time of year, when the nights start to draw in, the weather gets even colder and rainier than usual, and the prospect of the winter months brings on doom and gloom, many people start thinking about planning a winter break either before Christmas or afterwards, where they can soak up some sun, kick back and relax, and simply forget about their worries.

However, with Christmas coming up most people are on a budget when it comes to booking some time away, and most will be on the lookout for a bargain winter break. Getting away to the sun isn’t always cheap, but a number of steps can really slash the cost of a holiday, giving you something to look forward to without having to break the bank.

It is important to remember that the time of year that you book will affect the price you pay for your hotel as well as your flight. Holidays tend to be cheaper in the winter months, but can be more costly on certain weeks such as over the Christmas or New Year periods. Therefore you may find that going before Christmas such as late November or early December may be the best choice, or failing that waiting until after New Year, and jetting somewhere warm as others are heading back to work after the Christmas break.

In order to find the best price on a winter break you need to ensure that you compare prices on flights, hotels, or package holidays depending on your preferences. Many people these days prefer to book a package because of the number of small airlines and holiday firms that have gone bust, leaving many of those that booked separately unable to claim. However, if you do prefer to book your flight and hotel separately check and see whether you travel insurance policy will cover you, as some have now started to do, and ensure that you book with a credit card for extra protection under the Consumer Credit Act.

You should make sure that you also compare things such as travel insurance, airport parking, and if necessary car hire in order to get the best prices on these. Also, remember that whilst the headline prices on budget airline tickets may look cheap there are often additional extras that can really bump up the price, so you may end up paying far more.

Finally, do remember that you can often make a saving by booking your flight and hotel together, so it is worth comparing the cost of doing this against booking separately or a ready made package deal.

Tags: christmas, car hire, worries, holiday, travel insurance, travel

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During the winter months fuel bills tend to soar and are the second highest expense encountered by homeowners after their monthly mortgage payment. Read more

Tags: gas costs, exit, rate, length of time, winter

Skiers warned over insurance

Holidaymakers planning a skiing trip in the coming months are being warned to check their travel insurance policy before setting off.

The Post Office says that the mild winter has left many people disappointed, as there has not been enough snowfall.

Recent weeks have seen a fairly heavy dumping in many parts of Europe, but the travel insurance provider says that there is still a risk that a lack of snow may stop play.

The firm warns holidaymakers to check their travel insurance policy before setting off, ensure that they are covered and read the small print to make sure there are no hidden surprises.

“So far, this ski season has been among the worst on record in Europe with some areas having little or no snowfall,” said Kevin McAdam from the Post Office. “This can mean limited time on the slopes, plus an increased risk of injury or damage to equipment due to poor conditions.

“This may leave people without the holiday they would have wanted and looking for some form of compensation.

“Our advice is to make sure you know exactly what your cover offers before you go and, importantly, what evidence you need to have before you come home,” he added.

Mr McAdam went on to say that many insurance companies will only pay out if all of the slopes are closed for 12, or even 24, hours. Many firms also want written confirmation from authorities that the slopes were closed.

Tags: insurance companies, insurance policy, Hospitality Recreation, economics, holiday, small print

UK consumers should compare contents insurance policies

With experts advising UK consumers to ensure that they have adequate contents insurance cover over the festive period, which is when there is an increased risk of accidents, damage, and theft, Insurancewide.com has now added an additional warning – that consumers thinking of taking out cover to protect their contents should be careful when it comes to companies offering special Christmas and festive deals and discounts on cover.

According to Insurancewide.com there are a number of companies that are offering a range of offers on contents insurance cover over the coming Christmas and new year period, with some offers that include increased cover over the festive period at no extra cost, as well as Christmas discounts on contents insurance policies. Amongst the companies offering special deals on contents insurance cover over the Christmas and New Year period are American Express and Tesco.

However, Insurancewide experts have advised consumers to ensure that they look carefully at any policy before making a firm commitment, no matter how tempting the short term special offer may be. A spokesperson for the company stated that those looking to purchase contents insurance need to make sure that the policy they go for continues to benefit them after the festive period is over, making it suitable for the long term rather than just on a short term basis. This means reading the small print on policies as well as comparing the different policies and deals on offer.

James Harrison, chief executive of Insurancewide, stated: “It’s great that insurers are remaining competitive and offering their customers a chance to save money. But we urge people to pay close attention to the increase in the sum insured, to compare like with like, watch out for unexpected policy exclusions and check other insurers’ offers according to their precise needs before being lured by advertising campaigns.”

Tags: christmas, home, theft, Insurance, buildings, cover, american express, deals

Consumers Advised To Get Home Insurance Before Christmas Arrives

With an alarming percentage of homeowners having inadequate or even no contents insurance cover to protect their worldly goods and their homes, experts are advising consumers to ensure that they get themselves sorted out with protective cover before Christmas comes around. With reports suggesting that claims on contents insurance tend to rocket over the Christmas period, consumers are being advised to ensure that they do not get caught short at a time when it seems that accidents and burglaries are most likely to occur.

According to research carried out by Zurich, a whopping ten percent of UK homeowners have no contents cover at all, which means that they are not protected in the events of theft, loss, or damage. A further twenty percent do not have adequate contents insurance based on the items that they have in their homes. The reports also suggested that fifty percent of those with contents insurance had no accidental damage cover on their policies, reducing the protection they received from having cover.

Data provided by Barclays Insurance suggested that the festive period was the time when accidental damage in the home was most likely to occur, and statistics showed that the rise in contents insurance claims tended to shoot up over this period. This is also the time of year when many homes are left empty, as people go to stay with friends and family, as well as the time of year when there are many valuables in homes, in the form of gifts and cash. These factors combined could also mean an increased risk of burglaries.

Data showed that there was a rise of over forty percent in home insurance claims after the Christmas period in 2005 compared to claims made the month before. One Barclays spokesperson stated: “Our data shows that during the Christmas party season, people are particularly likely to incur accidental damage incidents in their homes. The cost of replacing items or cleaning carpets or furniture can quickly add up. It is therefore important to add accidental damage cover to your home insurance policy.”

Tags: weather, damages, christmas, cover, prepare, claim, premium, storm, Insurance, home