Make sure you read the policy summary to see what is and isn’t covered by the policy – there are bound to be some areas excluded from cover. For example, some policies do not cover scheduled airline failures, civil unrest or terrorist attacks. If you have a policy which doesn’t cover these risks, you can take out separate insurance.
You won’t usually be covered for medical conditions you already have, or may have to pay extra to get them covered. If you don’t disclose those medical conditions, any claims that you make may be rejected because you didn’t tell the insurance company about them. If relevant, you should also check whether your policy covers cancelling your holiday when a relative or friend falls ill, and whether you need to keep your insurance company informed about ill relatives/friends. Always ask if you’re in doubt. Travelling against a doctor’s advice may also invalidate your insurance cover.
The number of confirmed cases of swine flu (H1N1) across the world continues to grow. You should check your insurance policy documents carefully to make sure you understand what you are covered for, the level of cover and any limitations that apply. You should also make sure that you have the supporting documentation to make a claim (such as your unique ID number generated by the National Flu Service, together with the label on your anti-flu drugs as proof of diagnosis to validate a travel insurance claim). See also What you should know about your insurance coverage and the H1N1
