Get the best insurance when travelling abroad

It’s so easy just to accept travel insurance from the company that provides you with your holiday as it’s so easy but is this always the best option for you? We look at the better ways to get the best cover.

Travel insurance costs have certainly reduced in recent years but for some people it can be difficult to get cover if they have pre-existing conditions. Additionally many people simply opt for a policy from the company they purchased their holiday from. I mean it’s easy to tick a box if you are booking online or just to say yes to the travel clerk if you are sitting opposite them. So what can be done.

For standard travel insurance

As with all insurance policies cover varies greatly and you should look carefully at what is really covered especially if you are going to places outside of the EU such as the USA where the cost of medical treatments is very expensive and not covered by agreements with our own NHS.

There are specialist brokers who can handle this but in general most of the major insurance companies will be able to provide comprehensive cover. But look at those exclusions carefully. Most of us think nothing will happen to us and getting travel insurance is simply one of those costs associated with taking a long earned break but if you were taken to hospital and couldn’t then meet your pre-booked flight home would the insurance cover this ?

Look at the exclusions. Most insurance companies are very good now at actually listing what is not covered on their websites and provide the actually policy wording that you’ll be signing up for. So check those out. If you belong to an organisation they may be able to help you such as a university or even the company your work for.

If you have pre-existing conditions

Like with all health insurance policies you need to state if you have pre-existing conditions and this is the same for travel insurance. Some of the mainstream insurers will quote extremely high rates because they are simply getting them from their quoting systems rather than treating you as an individual and assessing your requirements.

If you are being quoted high rates online then it may be worth speaking to a specialist insurance broker who would have dealth with many similar cases before and may be able to not only find you cheaper rates but ensure that the insurance is also comprehensive enough for your needs.

If you still finding it difficult then get in touch with an organisation that helps people with any condition you may have. For example insurance can be provided via the diabetes association for people who have this ailment and it may be the same if you have depression or heart issues. Go online to check if there are any non profit organisations who would have helped many people in your situation before so that you can get travel insurance cover and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind that if something does go wrong then comprehensive insurance will be at hand to help you.