Insure Before Packing the Suitcase

Packing for a holiday involves many things but one necessary item that travellers often forget to organise well in advance, is travel insurance. It is an essential item to plan for as not doing so could end the traveller up in dire straits in a foreign country if, for instance, you lose an expensive camera in Thailand or have to cancel a trip suddenly and are bombarded with cancellation fees and losing your deposits.

Naturally, shopping around for the best insurance providers is essential. Most people tend to buy cover directly from the travel agent who helped book the holiday; this is not always the wisest option. Some of these travel companies offer cover which is advertised as ‘free’ but it is unlikely that the insurance is actually free, as the cost is generally incorporated into the price of the holiday. To this end, the commission is a big method of revenue for travel agents and it is more prudent to get a better deal via an insurance broker or an insurer that sells its products direct to consumers. They often charge half as much as the travel companies.

What cover a traveller takes out really depends on the particulars of what their holiday(s) involve. If the traveller goes abroad a couple of times a year it would be prudent to take out an annual policy as they are much better value than buying cover as you go along.

Another tip is that when you are buying travel insurance, it is a good idea to ascertain what the excess is and whether it applies as one amount per claim or for each part of a claim. You should also verify the limit on individual items. You may need higher limits if you are taking expensive items.

If you are a traveller intending to take part in any high risk sporting activities like bungee jumping or whitewater rafting, then it is essential that you are covered for these recreational activities. Make sure you are covered for any unusual sporting activities you are planning, such as whitewater rafting or bungee jumping. Also be aware that insurance for winter activities like skiing are usually more expensive.

The best advice is then to think well ahead when booking your holiday and take out the appropriate travel insurance. Additionally, make sure you always read the fine print, as claiming that you were not aware of certain clauses will not benefit you when it is too late.

Author: Saurav Dutt