Introduction

Although travel insurance can be very cheap, it is nevertheless a complicated product. This section of our website is devoted to the sections a policy contains and typical values. A word first about exclusions/ conditions you may find and for which you should check and other things you may not know about travel insurance.

• Alcohol | Drugs : Yes we all like a good time however most if not all travel insurance policies may exclude medical expenses if the injury has been caused under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• HIV/ Aids : Self explanatory
• Failure to notify Police - It is usually a requirement to notify the appropriate authorities should you suffer any losses. This applies even if you know how the article was lost and there is no hope of getting it back again e.g. fell into the sea off a boat.
• Pre-existing conditions: this is discussed elsewhere in depth. Some policies exclude all conditions, some will allow minor ones. Our advice is ALWAYS contact a medical screening number if one is available. Note also that insurers will exclude related conditions so, if you have had a stroke then a heart attack may be excluded as they had a similar cause.
• Sick relatives: Yes you may have to advise your insurers if a close relative is ill. If your mother's death would cause you to cancel the trip and she is ill then the insurers must know about this.
• Companions. We offer insurance for the over 65s and people with medical conditions (as well as the usual covers). Some people will take out a policy with us to cover their parent who is going with them - but won't cover themselves, taking out a 'cheaper' policy elsewhere. It is only when they claim for the costs of a return home following the serious illness of their parent that they find that the policy they took out won't cover it! Our Advice is ALWAYS insure ALL members of the party that could be affected by another member to insure with the same company as the insurer who covered the other member.
• Inception Dates. If you book a trip take out travel insurance as soon as possible as cancellation cover starts immediately. If you want an annual policy and your first trip starts in a few months then get the inception date to start immediately as cancellation cover will not commence until the commencement date of the policy - there is no cover until then.
• Personal effects (did you know that more Rolex watches have been stolen from UK residents in Europe than have actually been made?). Personal effect cover is designed to cover your suitcases clothes and low-cost jewellery. It is NOT designed to cover expensive items as a) the policy limits are low and b) indemnity cover only (instead of new for old) is provided. get your valuables covered under your home insurance under an 'all-risks' extension.
• Liability : There may be a substantial excess for property damage to rented villas etc - watch out for it.
• Legal Expenses: can be limited - e.g. will not cover claims against the insurance company and may be restricted in claims against tour operators.
• Excesses: This is the most common way to reduce the premium offered. Put in a high excess - typically £100 or £200. The excess applies per person per section of policy usually - with internet policies that is so on a multiple claim the excess can easily reach £400 or more. Generally our policies have lower excesses (£35 - 50 with a few higher and they can be removed in many cases. We have had people take a £200 excess instead of a £100 excess so that they could save £2.50 on their premium!