Travel Insurance

Why do I need travel insurance?

It’s very easy to get so caught up in planning your trip that you neglect to buy travel insurance – or just buy the first no-frills policy you can find, which isn’t much better. After all, none of us like to think about something going wrong on our travels. But here are few good reasons why you should always take the time to buy an appropriate travel insurance policy before you set foot on a plane:

• Your flights could be delayed or cancelled: This may not be a life-or-death situation, but it’s still a major irritation – no one wants to have to hang around an airport for longer than is absolutely necessary. Many policies will compensate you if your flight is delayed for a certain length of time, or if it’s cancelled altogether.
• You could become ill and need to go to hospital: Living in the UK with the benefit of NHS treatment, it’s easy to forget that much of the world’s healthcare systems operate on a pay-as-you-go premise – so if you need hospital treatment while on holiday and you don’t have adequate travel insurance, you could find yourself being discharged with a very large bill to pay. For example, if you break your leg while on holiday in the USA, your treatment could cost you a small fortune.
• You could have an accident: If you’re planning on going skiing, snorkelling or skydiving, remember that many standard insurance policies won’t pay out for accidents that occur while taking part in ‘high-risk’ activities like those mentioned above. You will usually need to buy extra cover for these kinds of activities.
• You might need to cancel your trip at short notice: If a family emergency or illness arises just before you’re scheduled to depart, you could stand to lose a lot of money if you need to cancel or postpone your journey. Check that your insurance provider covers you for as wide a range of cancellation reasons as possible.
• Your possessions might get stolen: From major thefts to pickpockets in tourist hotspots, the risk of your money or belongings getting taken is a very good reason to ensure you’ve got the cover you need before you leave.
• Your baggage might get lost or damaged in transit: Bags ended up in Tunisia rather than Toronto? Or has your suitcase arrived off the plane looking decidedly worse for wear thanks to careless handling in transit? A comprehensive travel insurance policy may mean you’ll be covered for these situations.