Travel Insurance

Let’s try and make this simple - If you’re travelling abroad, it's extremely important to take out travel insurance before you go. Cover should include items like travel delays and travel cancellations, good medical and accident cover, including repatriation to your home country, and things like lost and delayed baggage and theft.
Hospital bills can amount to tens of thousands of US dollars, GBP pounds or Euros.

What to consider when you buy travel insurance
• emergency treatment and hospital bills can be expensive. Check whether your policy covers treatment in public or private hospitals.
• emergency transport, such as an ambulance, is often charged separately to other medical expenses, and emergency travel home on medical grounds can also be expensive.
• pre-existing medical conditions: declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if anyone gets ill during your trip. Failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance.
• all activities you may undertake on holiday, such as sports or adventure tourism (you may need specialist insurance for some activities). Also consider all the places you intend to visit, even if you are in transit, in case anyone needs emergency treatment in another country.
• cruises generally require an additional level of cover because it is more difficult to get to hospital for treatment. Check the booking conditions of the operator you plan to sail with
• repatriation costs if you or a family member die abroad.
• getting home after medical treatment if you cannot use your original ticket.
• reasonable costs for a family member or friend to stay with you, or travel out to accompany you home, if required
• 24-hour assistance helplines to offer support and advice about appropriate treatment

Policy exclusions. Check how an insurance policy covers:

• alcohol and drugs: most travel insurance policies do not cover events that happen after you have drunk excessive alcohol or taken recreational drugs or other substances.
• high risk destinations: many travel insurance policies will not cover travel to a high-risk destination where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel or all travel. Check your policy wording and the relevant country travel advice pages before booking your trip and buying insurance
• mental health conditions: some policies may exclude cover for treatment related to a pre-existing mental health condition. For more guidance see foreign travel advice for people with mental health issues
• age restrictions: check whether there are any age-related restrictions if you are buying an annual policy. The Money Advice Service provides guidance on how to choose the right level of cover, get the best deal, and make a travel insurance claim. It also has specific guidance for travellers over the age of 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions
• sports such as bungee jumping, jet skiing, winter sports or skydiving: these are not usually included in standard policies.
• driving overseas: check Driving abroad. If you’re hiring a car, check what cover the hire company provides. Most won’t cover for motorcycle or scooter hire

Read the fine print!