With research showing four million romantic couples expect to propose on Valentine’s Day each year, travel insurance specialist Columbus Direct encourages extra vigilance in protecting expensive jewellery on trips abroad.
The survey, conducted by American Express, also highlights that many couples are electing to go away for a short City break or jetting to an idyllic location to say “I do”.
Rob Thomas, Head of Marketing at Columbus Direct, said: “Valentine’s Day trips – particularly those that involve a marriage proposal – require even more thought and advance planning than normal travel. However, while a couple may be preoccupied arranging the romantic details of their trip, we would encourage them to take extra care in preparing the practical aspects as well.”
“One important thing to consider is that if jewellery is being exchanged – either as a gift or in a marriage proposal – it will often be newly purchased and therefore uninsured. With the average price of an engagement ring approximately £1,800 and many travel policies having a limit of £200 for items lost or broken on a trip, we strongly urge couples to make sure jewellery is adequately insured before going abroad. Home insurance policies are often the best means for securing proper insurance for personal valuables like jewellery.”
“Alternatively, you might consider buying a cheap “temporary” ring to take on the trip, with the promise of something rather more special awaiting back home. And while recognising this may not be the most romantic gesture, it probably is sensible on a number of levels, including the fact that – according to a recent survey by the Diamond Trading Company – 80% of women want to be involved in choosing the ring”.
Columbus Direct tips on Valentine’s travel insurance:
– Check that all the destinations that you are travelling to, or through, are covered
– Ensure you have the correct type of insurance in place to cover items such as expensive jewellery, which may not be covered in your travel insurance
– Always keep a copy of your insurance policy details with you and saved in your secure email account as back-up. Keep any paperwork, such as tickets, receipts, medical bills, police reports in case anything goes wrong
– Make sure you have the name of your insurance company and the 24-hour international emergency telephone number on you at all times
– Check the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk/travel for country-specific advice. If you go to an area which the FCO advises against travel to, your travel insurance is unlikely to be valid
