Travel Insurance Advice:
Holidays should be a time to
enjoy yourself and relax, to escape from the stresses
and strains of daily routine. Which is why the simple
precaution of buying adequate travel insurance is
a worthwhile investment.
|
| If you need medical help on holiday,
are involved in an accident, lose anything or have
to cancel your holiday at the last minute, the appropriate
cover saves you the worry and expense you'd otherwise
face. |
| Your BIBA broker will help you
find the travel cover that's right for you - and
can probably save you quite a lot of money into
the bargain. This section of our website sets out
to explain what you should consider when you buy
travel insurance and some of the pitfalls to avoid. |
BIBA
Travel Policies
BIBA offers a comprehensive range of policies. Featuring highly competitive
premiums and terms. The range includes Single Trip with age limit up to 85, and
annual policies. Underwritten
by Tokio Marine Europe Insurance Ltd. All are available through your
local BIBA broker.
|
| To find your nearest broker who
offers the BIBA Protect travel policy, contact Tokio Marine Europe insurance by email: travel@tokiomarine.co.uk |
CHECKLIST:
1. Cancellation
It's vital that you're covered in case you have
to cancel your holiday. The policy will cover a
range of reasons for doing this. These should include
the following:
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| • |
Illness
or death in your family or of a business partner
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| • |
Jury service |
| • |
Serious fire,
flood or storm damage to your home or business
premises |
| • |
A request
from the police not to go away following a
burglary at your home or office |
|
| You should be able
to reclaim any holiday costs you cannot recover,
apart from the cost of insurance. Make sure the
policy covers both yourself and your travel companions. |
2.
Medical Expenses
It's vital you are covered for medical expenses,
as hospital and doctors' bills can be enormous,
especially in North America.
|
| Most policies require
you to pay a small excess towards the cost of treatment
and medicines, but will also pay benefits - up to
a set limit - if you have to stay in hospital. |
| If you travel within
the EU you should get form EHIC from a Post office.
This will entitle you to reciprocal health service
care in the countries you visit. However, few EU
countries pay for the full cost of treatment, and
you're likely to be treated in a private clinic
or hospital, so it's important to have your own
insurance. Remember to keep all doctors', hospital
and chemists' bills to support any claim you make. |
| Your policy should
also cover you for any extra accommodation or travel
expenses you incur as a result of illness, or if
you have to go home early because of the illness
or death of a close relative or business partner. |
3.
Personal Accident Cover
Personal accident cover will pay out if you are
killed or permanently disabled on holiday - for
example, if you lose a limb or your eyesight.
|
| A few simple precautions
will help to keep you safe - follow them, and you'll
reduce your risk considerably. |
| • |
Keep
away from dangerous areas, especially at night
|
| • |
Don't spend
too long in the sun - wear a hat and use plenty
of sun block |
| • |
Don't go swimming
after a large meal or drinking alcohol |
| • |
Check the
local conditions before swimming in the sea
- tides and currents can be extremely deceptive |
| • |
If you're
planning any long distance walking, always
inform someone of your plans, and your expected
arrival times |
| • |
If you're
driving your own car, always have a servicing
before you go |
|
4.
Personal Liability
Most travel policies will insure you against personal
liability. This means that if you injure someone
or damage their property, you will be covered if
they decide to sue you.
|
5.
Legal Expenses
Some policies will pay your legal costs if you decide
to sue a third party for damages as a result of
personal injury or death.
|
6.
Personal Belongings
Your insurance should cover your personal belongings
and cash against loss or damage. However, insurance
companies expect you to look after your possessions
at all times - you may have problems trying to claim
for a camera you left on the beach which was stolen
when you went for a quick dip.
|
| Most policies impose
a limit to the cover on any one item. So it might
be worth adding 'all risks' cover to your household
contents insurance and valuables like jewellery
or cameras. |
| Some policies pay
a set amount for the loss of a passport. This should
cover any extra travel and accommodation expenses
you incur to get it replaced. |
| If you lose or have
something stolen, report the incident to the local
police within 24 hours, and get written conformation
that you have done this. |
| Follow these tips
for a thief-free holiday: |
| • |
Don't
leave your belongings unattended |
| • |
Never leave
valuables on show in your car |
| • |
Always leave
valuables in a hotel safe or safe deposit
box |
| • |
Keep money,
documents and valuables with you when travelling |
|
7.
Delays and Missed Departure
Most policies will compensate you if your luggage
is delayed for more than twelve hours on your outward
journey. This will enable you to buy replacement
items, but don't forget to keep the receipts for
everything you buy.
|
| You may also receive
a lump sum if your departure is delayed or if you
miss your flight for a valid reason. This should
cover any travel expenses you incur in reaching
your final destination. |
8.
Annual Cover
If you're lucky enough to take several holidays
a year, or if you travel frequently on business,
you should consider annual travel insurance.
|
| This type of insurance
is based on a yearly fee regardless of the number
of the number of trips you make, and can be a lot
cheaper than taking out separate cover every time
you travel. |
9.
Extended Stays
A number of insurance companies offer policies that
cater for people who take long-stay winter holidays
and round-the-world trips.
|
| However, before
you go, check your household contents insurance.
Some policies stipulate that homes should not be
left empty for more than 30 days without informing
the insurer. |
10.
Hazardous Pursuits
More and more holidays offer the opportunity to
enjoy a range of action pursuits. Bungee jumping,
scuba diving, parascending and motorcycling are
typical of the sort of activity you might be offered,
so talk to your broker, who will be happy to arrange
an extension to your cover.
|
11.
Winter Sports
You'll need a specialist policy if you're going
on a winter sports holiday. This will probably cost
twice as much as normal holiday cover, due to the
greater risk of claims for medical expenses, personal
accident, piste closure and ski equipment.
|
| It's vital that
you have adequate cover for medical expenses - it
can cost hundreds of pounds simply to stretcher
an injured skier off the slopes. Personal liability
insurance is essential in case you injure someone
else. |
| If you plan to go
'off-piste' check that your policy allows you to.
You might also need specialist cover if you go ski-jumping
or bobsleighing. |
12.
Pre-Existing medical conditions
If you suffer from a permanent or recurring illness,
you must tell your insurer. Some companies cater
specifically for people in this situation, but they
may request a letter from your doctor saying that
you are fit to travel. You won't get cover if you
have been advised against travelling, are within
the last two months of pregnancy, or are travelling
to obtain medical treatment abroad.
|
13.
Motoring Abroad
If you're planning to take your car abroad, you
must have adequate insurance before you leave the
country.
|
| UK motor insurance
provides the minimum cover required by the EU and
certain other countries. However, this will not
be enough if you have an accident. Nor will it cover
you for theft, fire or damage to your vehicle, and
it may not cover your legal liabilities to other
people. |
| So make sure you
have the same level of cover that you have in the
UK. Check your policy carefully, as some insurers
provide free continental cover for a limited period
each year. |
Green
Card
Under European law, it is no longer compulsory to
have a Green Card, which shows that your policy
meets the minimum legal requirements of the countries
in the scheme. However, a Green Card can still save
time and problems if you need to provide evidence
of your insurance. It is also advisable to have
a Euro Accident Claim.
|
Accidents
Should you be involved in an accident, you must
tell your insurer or their representative in the
country immediately. Many companies issue a European
Accident Statement - this is printed in several
languages, and allows drivers to exchange facts
without admitting liability.
|
Breakdown
Even with an extended policy, you might not be covered
if your car breaks down, but you can buy a vehicle
breakdown policy either with your travel insurance
or separately. This should cover you for the cost
of a hire car while yours is being repaired, as
well as roadside assistance, the cost of delivering
spare parts and of returning your car home.
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Theft
Precautions
Don't forget that your car may be targeted by car
thieves, so always lock it, don't leave valuables
on show, keep your car documents with you and use
an anti-theft device.
|
14.
BEWARE THE PITFALLS!
Apart from the exclusions mentioned above, there
are a number of pitfalls to avoid.
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| • |
If
you injure yourself while under the influence
of drink or drugs, your policy is unlikely
to pay up. |
| • |
If you're
pregnant, you might not be covered for any
complications that arise, and there will be
a cut off date. |
| • |
Medical expenses
and personal accidents caused as a result
of war are also excluded in many policies. |
| • |
Any claim
you make against your household insurance
- for example if you have something stolen
while on holiday - will risk losing your no
claims bonus. |
| • |
Many insurers
claim part of any payment for possessions
lost or damaged abroad from your household
insurers, which can lead to the loss of your
no claims bonus. |
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Where
to go foradvice
Before choosing your travel insurance, always consult
a BIBA insurance broker or intermediary. As an independent
expert, they will be able to help you through the
maze of covers available, and choose the right insurer
for your needs at the most reasonable cost.
|
| By law, registered
brokers have to put your interests first. You can
be sure that they will provide you with impartial
advice, and a choice of products. |
| BIBA - the British
Insurance Brokers' Association - is the country's
leading association for insurance brokers. All its
members offer the highest professional standards
and financial integrity, and place the interests
of their clients above all else. |
| Click
here to select a BIBA BROKER |
Your
Personal Holiday Checklist
To help you organise an enjoyable and trouble-free
holiday, follow a number of simple rules:
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| Before you go: |
| • |
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| • |
Cancel
the milk and papers |
| • |
Ask the neighbours
to keep an eye on your home, and remove any
free papers and circulars |
| • |
Use a time-switch
to turn on some lights at night |
| • |
Lock all your
doors and windows |
| • |
Advise your
household insurer if you're planning a long
trip abroad |
|
| Remember to take: |
| • |
Passports,
visas, tickets, money, traveller's cheques
|
| • |
The number
of your insurance company's 24 hour helpline |
| • |
Details of
any private medical cover you hold |
| • |
Details of
your vehicle breakdown cover |
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| If you are driving
abroad: |
| • |
A
spare set of car keys |
| • |
Your vehicle
insurance documents, including a Euro accident
form |
| • |
Driving licence
and registration document |
| • |
GB sticker
· Warning triangle |
| • |
Fire extinguisher
|
| • |
First aid
kit |
| • |
Tool kit and
spare light bulbs |
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