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Insurance
If you are going on holiday it is vital you get travel insurance so that if anything happens to you while you are away you will not have to pay for medical treatment.
- If you don’t have insurance and have an accident then depending upon which country you are in, your hospital treatment could cost you anything from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands
- Make sure you apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to ensure you are covered for any accident or illness if travelling within the European Union. You can either apply at your local post office or online
- It’s very easy to get travel insurance, either on the internet, the Post Office or at many high-street shops and banks. It often doesn't cost very much and can be bought for as little as £10 for a single journey
- Check the small print in your insurance document to make sure the company has all the information they need about you and to check exactly what you are covered for. For instance you must make sure you tell your insurer of any previous medical conditions or illnesses that may affect any treatment you are given
- Always keep the phone number of your insurance company to hand so that you can quickly contact it in case of an emergency
What your policy should cover
A basic policy should cover you for the following:
- Cancellation – in case you have to cancel or cut short your holiday
- Delays – you should receive compensation if your flight is delayed for more than 12 hours
- Baggage and belongings – you should have cover of up to £1500 in case your bag is lost, stolen or damaged
- Personal liability (if say for example you injure someone, you should have cover for a minimum of £1 million if you are visiting Europe, and £2 million world wide)
- Emergency assistance – many insurance companies offer 24 hour emergency helplines
- Medical cover
Make sure your insurance covers you for the whole time you are away, and for any activities you will be doing on the trip. Some activities like jet skiing are not covered in general policies.
