If you travel without travel insurance, you run the risk of losing out if things go wrong. With about a third of recorded claims involving medical bills, this is by far the most common travel insurance claim. Other common claims are for lost or stolen baggage, cancellation of flights, lost or stolen money, and travel delay.
If you are a UK resident you are entitled to free or reduced-cost, State-provided healthcare when visiting a European Union (EU) country as long as you have the necessary European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). In many other countries, outside the EU, healthcare can be very expensive. But you should remember that the EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, as it only covers you for when you are ill.
Most travel insurance plans will cover medical bills for £1m, and often more, as well as pay for an emergency air ambulance to bring you home for treatment in the UK. Travel insurance can also cover you against other mishaps while you’re abroad, from theft to flight delays. Most policies have a standard excess charge which means you agree to pay the first part of any claim, for example the first £50 or £100. If you agree to pay a higher excess you might get a cheaper policy. But beware – some policies charge an excess per clause rather than one overall.
You could be offered travel insurance by the travel agent where you book your holiday. Or you may find that when booking your flights, the airline has automatically added travel insurance for you. You don’t have to take the insurance offered – you can opt out of it and use your own if you already have it or buy it separately. If you do decide to take the insurance offered, make sure you find out what’s covered and what isn’t by reading the key policy information. Make sure you get one that’s right for you.
Find out whether your employer offers travel insurance as part of your benefits package. You may have some kind of ‘free’ travel insurance through your credit card or bank. However, check what it covers, as it may only cover certain things and only up to a certain amount.
