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Travel Insurance

Ready for your trip? Three insurance questions to consider before you travel

Before you travel abroad, it is absolutely essential to ensure that everything you need has been packed. However, something that can too often be overlooked is that it is also essential to have one way travel insurance in place prior to travel, as not only does it provide additional peace of mind, but it can potentially save you an incredible amount of money should you find yourself injured. Research has found that an injury abroad can cost as much as £230,000 (1.16 million AED), so the financial impact can be severe.

In order to ensure your travel insurance is as robust as possible and is as comprehensive as you require, it is vital you ask the following three questions:

1. Are previous/current medical conditions covered?

For many people, this is the most important question to ask. Most travel insurance companies will offer very cheap deals, but often such offers will come at the expense of covering pre-existing conditions. Such medical conditions can be small or major, but it makes sense you ensure you are fully covered, even if you feel as though it is unlikely your injury will be exacerbated.

2. Am I covered if I participate in extreme sports?

Some travel insurers are very open about the fact that they will not cover individuals should they actively participate in activities with a high risk factor, so if you plan on going skydiving, make sure you ask this question first to see where you stand.

3. Does my travel insurance give me access to a physician on the phone?

This is a question that is absolutely worth asking, even if it’s not something you’ve previously considered. In some instances, it will be the case that you will not actually require a trip to a hospital if you feel a twinge or a little under the weather. In these cases, it may actually be more beneficial to have a conversation with a doctor or physician. It may well be the case that access to a hotline of some kind is included with your insurance policy, but it is certainly worth asking the question ahead of time.

Have other questions or queries about your policy bazaar travel insurance? Get in touch today and we’ll do our best to provide the answers you need.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Travel Insurance

When do I need extreme sports travel insurance?

Harnessing the thrill of extreme sports and matching it with the joy of travel is a great way to spend a holiday and having the right travel insurance means you can enjoy your high octane adventures without too many worries.

What is extreme sports travel insurance?

Each insurance provider will have their own set of definitions and it’s important to check your policy meets your needs. There will be some common ground, so we’ve put together a quick round-up of what extreme sports travel insurance might cover.

High adrenaline activities

These are the things that spring to mind when you think of extreme sports and might include

• bungee jumping
• rock climbing
• white water rafting
• hang gliding
• sky diving

Other less obvious activities might also be considered extreme by your travel insurance company

• tubing
• banana boat ride
• swimming with dolphins
• horse riding

What may seem every day to you could be considered high risk by your insurer, so if you think you may do these kinds of activity it’s important to check you’re covered.

Other sports have dedicated policies, things like golf, water sports and winter sports need cover that allows for damage to essential kit, as well as increased risk of personal injury.

What sort of thing are covered by extreme sports travel insurance?

Again, this will vary according to your provider, but you’ll generally find the following inclusions

• Medical expenses – costs of treatment, hospital stays and ambulance fees
• Repatriation – to get you home in the case of medical necessity, or if you’ve missed your flight because of your treatment
• Personal injury – if you are left permanently disabled a lump sum may be payable
• Personal liability – to cover compensation costs if you damage property by accident or injure somebody by accident

I’m the spontaneous type – what should I do if I decide to do something extreme while I’m away?

If you’re not sure what activities you’ll be doing it’s a good idea to have your full policy document with you so you can check what is or isn’t included. If your chosen adrenaline fix isn’t on the list, a quick call to your insurer should get you covered, so you can amend your travel insurance and enjoy your thrills with complete peace of mind.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay