Buying Travel Insurance at the last minute
Although you can buy insurance at the last minute, the best time to get it is as soon as you’ve booked your trip. That’s because travel insurance isn’t only designed to protect you while you’re away, but also to cover you for anything that might stop you from getting there in the first place – from illnesses to cancelled flights.
Disclosing medical conditions
Whether you’re buying a single trip policy or renewing or booking a trip under an annual policy, you should always update your insurer with your most recent medical information. This includes any investigations, diagnosis or hospital stays within the last 12 months. If you don’t, you might not be covered if you need to claim. If in doubt, always call your insurer.
Unwell relatives
If the illness is caused by an existing condition you knew about when you booked the trip, your insurance wouldn’t be valid if you wanted to cancel because of it. You must declare all medical conditions beforehand, and check with your insurer in exactly what circumstances you are covered. This is one reason why it pays to take out insurance as soon as you book your trip.
Fear of flying
A phobia or anxiety over flying is rarely covered by insurers as a reason for cancelling your holiday. However, there are lots of resources available online to help beat your anxiety, and some airlines even offer courses in overcoming the fear of flying.
Stolen belongings from a vehicle
Thefts from unattended vehicles are only covered if the vehicle is locked and your belongings are placed out of view in a storage compartment or boot. On holiday you’re especially vulnerable when you’re loading or unloading baggage, so always keep your valuables on you.
Items left in a hotel room
Policies rarely cover items that you leave in your hotel room after checking out, or baggage left in a luggage storage room. So always do a full check of your room before you leave, remember to check under those beds – and keep your valuables on you when you put luggage in storage.
Reporting stolen items
Don’t put it off. Most insurers would require you to report any loss or stolen items to the police and your insurance company within 24 hours, or as soon as reasonably possible, to be eligible for a claim. You’ll also usually need to get a written police report or – if that’s not possible – written proof of loss from an independent party, such as your hotel.
Luggage stowed in the hold
Luggage in the hold is covered for loss or accidental damage. However, valuables such as phones, money, tablets and jewellery should be carried in your hand baggage and fully accessible to you while you’re travelling. That’s because they won’t be covered if put in the hold.
Bank travel insurance
If you have travel insurance through your bank account, it’s important to make sure that the cover you’ve got – and the limits you’re insured up to – will be sufficient for your upcoming trip.
Injuries
Injuries resulting from some activities are often excluded from standard, but it might be possible to insure them for an additional cost (for example, you could take out winter sports cover if you’re hitting the slopes). Other activities are only covered under the supervision of a qualified guide and some are never covered, so always check your policy before you go.