Travel
insurance is an essential purchase when you book a holiday, whether
neighboring countries or further abroad. Many see it as an unnecessary
expense and feel they’ll be fine without it, but neglecting to purchase
an adequate level of travel insurance can lead to issues from minor
inconveniences to life-changing expenses. If you’re in doubt whether
it’s worth buying travel insurance, here are five of the main reasons
you should definitely purchase it before your next holiday.
1. Lost, Damaged and Stolen Possessions
Good travel insurance will cover baggage
that has been lost or damaged by the airline and will often make an
emergency payment into your account if you arrive at your destination
with no clothes due to a lost or damaged bag. If your handbag or
backpack is stolen while you’re on holiday the effects can be
devastating, from losing all your holiday money to finding yourself
without a passport to get home. A good level of travel insurance cover
will ensure you’re reimbursed as soon as possible and often insurance
companies will be able to help you get in touch with your consulate to
help you get home.
2. Emergency Evacuation
In the event of an emergency evacuation
of the country you’re visiting, for example due to war, disease or, as
we have recently seen in parts of the Middle East, political unrest then
travel insurance will ensure you’re not left out of pocket when
arranging last-minute transport back home.
3. Medical Cover
Whilst many European countries offer
medical cover for minor ailments and injuries whilst on holiday under
the European Union healthcare scheme, you will not be covered if you
need private or specialist treatment or if you need to be repatriated
from the country back home. If you needed to be airlifted home, the cost
of this can be more than your house, so it’s essential it’s covered by
your policy.
4. Holiday Cancellation
When you’ve saved up all year for your
annual holiday abroad, the last thing you want is to not only miss out
on going but to also lose the money you paid for it. Issues such as
illness, a death in the family and personal emergencies may mean you
need to cancel your trip, or it may be that weather emergencies,
international disasters or terrorist activity means your travel company
cancels your holiday. A good level of travel insurance cover will ensure
you do not lose out on any of the money you spent on your holiday.
5. Travel Problems
Travel insurance will often cover you if
part of your trip is delayed or canceled, enabling you to rearrange
onward travel and continue with your trip. If you need to hotel
overnight or hire a car to travel from one airport to another, then
often policies will cover you for this. Often it is also possible to
arrange private transport such as taxis or hire vehicles rather than
being required to struggle on local public transport
