Travel
Insurance
Travel
Insurance
- (Frequently Asked Questions)
Please
note these are general guides to travel insurance and do not
constitute provision of advice or indicate that a particular
product is appropriate for you. Benefits, conditions and exclusions
vary from one travel insurance policy to another and you should
always check the policy summary and policy document to make
sure that you understand what you are buying. If you have any
questions please talk to your insurance broker.
What
is the difference between annual travel insurance and single
trip policies? There are two main types of travel
insurance. Trip travel and Annual travel. They both essentially
provide the same type of cover (loss of baggage, cancellation,
accident and sickness). The difference is how many times you
can go away using the same policy.
Trip
Travel Insurance will provide you with insurance
cover for a single trip. When you buy this type of policy the
insurance ends as and when you return. If you go away again
then you will need to buy another trip travel insurance policy.
When you buy a trip travel policy the premium is based upon
the number of people going away and for how long. The shorter
duration the lower the premium. Children are usually charged
at a lower rate than adults, and those under 2 are normally
free. Compare
Trip Travel Insurance now.
Annual
Travel Insurance
will provide you with insurance cover for as many trips as you
make within a year. If you normally go away two or three times
a year then this type of travel insurance can work out considerable
cheaper than buying trip travel insurance policies each time.
Annual travel insurance policies normally restrict the length
of each trip to 31 days, but you can go away as many times as
you like. The premium is based upon the number of people covered,
with special rates for families and couples. Compare
Annual Travel Insurance now.
What
if I have a medical condition? As one of the most
important parts of travel insurance is the medical cover, it
is essential that you report any pre-existing medical conditions
to the insurer when you buy travel insurance. All standard contracts
will assume that you do not have a pre-existing medical condition.
Most travel insurance companies are looking for chronic or serious
ongoing medical conditions for which you have received treatment
in the past 12 months. Because this may make you a higher risk
then the premium may be increased, or the travel insurance company
may specifically exclude certain parts of cover. It is essential
that you disclose the information because failing to do so may
mean that the policy may not pay out in the event that you need
to make a claim.
Do
I still need an E111 form? If you are travelling
to a European Union country you are strongly advised to obtain
Form E111 from your local Post Office. This will entitle you
to benefit from the reciprocal health arrangements that exist
between European Union countries. If you use this form (and
thereby reduce the value of any medical claim you make) you
will find that you do not have to pay the excess for that section
of the policy.
Can
I cancel the policy if I don't want it? You can cancel
the travel insurance policy for any reason within 14 days of
issue, providing you have not already travelled and that you
have not made any claim. You would then receive a full refund
of any premiums paid.
What
about skiing or other winter sports? Skiing and winter
sports in general are more risky than normal trips. There is
more chance of you receiving an injury and therefore requiring
medical treatment. For this reason the travel insurance company
will ask for a higher premium to be paid. Even with additional
winter sports cover, the travel insurance company will normally
exclude racing and other high-risk activities such as heli-skiing,
para-penting and bobsleighs.
