Travel Insurance

Okay, so you've worked out your itinerary, booked your flights and stuffed as much home comforts into your backpack as possible.   Have you bothered with travel insurance?  

From short trips to a gap year, taking out travel insurance is vital as it can cover everything from minor inconveniences to a major medical emergency.   For example, an air ambulance from the US to the UK can cost over £30,000 while a scheduled flight with a doctor from Australia to the UK costs around £20,000.   While these are worst case scenarios, the last thing you need to think about if you are injured is how you're going to pay.

Our top tips when looking for travel insurance are:-

• Don't be tight, cheaper cover usually means less cover.   Ensure your policy covers medical and dental treatment; emergency repatriation expenses; expenses for delayed or cancelled flights; loss of personal belongings, money or passport, legal expenses and personal liability cover; disability or death compensation.
• Adventure sports - if you think you're likely to be taking on New Zealand's highest bungee jump or are going to hit the slopes for a few months, make sure your travel insurance covers you for risky or dangerous activities.
• Shop around - most travel agents offer travel insurance but it is always worth shopping around at some of the many specialist insurers who can offer more competitive premiums and a broader range of policies.
• Levels of cover - the Consumer's Association recommend you take £1m medical cover for Europe and £2m for the rest of the world; personal liability of £1m in case you cause injury to someone else; appropriate costs to get you home in an emergency; personal belongings cover of £1500 although this is up to you, but beware of individual limits especially if you are taking your new digital camera.
• Small Print! - we know it's a chore, but when it comes to making a claim you don't want to be caught out.   If you travel somewhere your government has classed as unsafe, your policy may become invalid.
• 24-hour emergency service - make sure your policy includes a 24-hour emergency service and take your policy details with you when you travel.

It's always worth shopping around to suit your individual needs and budget. The following insurance providers have policies designed for backpackers:

• Insure & Go
• World Nomads

Disclaimer:
While we make every effort to ensure our content is accurate and up to date, Scarytan accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information. Scarytan will not be held liable for any loss or damage as a result of use of this information.