Four travel insurance mistakes to avoid this summer, according to expert

Nobody wants to think about things going wrong on their summer holidays but experts are urging Brits to make sure they have adequate travel insurance.

Kelly Whittington, travel claims director at Aviva, said: “Travel insurance can give people valuable peace of mind.”

She explained that potential claims “could involve an accident or an illness while abroad which requires medical assistance, theft of personal possessions while overseas, or an incident before the break which means a holidaymaker needs to cancel their trip, such as an injury or a bereavement”.

Here are some tips from Ms Whittington on the travel insurance pitfalls to avoid when considering travel cover.

Common travel insurance mistakes

Leaving until the last minute

“Crucially, people should buy travel cover as soon as they book their holiday,” Ms Whittington said. “This means that if they need to cancel their holiday because of an unforeseen event, such as an illness or injury, their insurer should cover any costs that can’t be recovered elsewhere.”

She added: “If someone plans to buy their insurance at the airport, they won’t be covered if an emergency happens two weeks before their departure date.”

Not checking small print

Make sure your policy fits your own needs. Whittington advises that holidaymakers who plan to scuba dive or participate in other sports should verify their policy includes such activities.

She continues: “Similarly, people should check that their cover is valid for their destination country. Most insurers will offer either worldwide or European travel insurance, which provides cover in certain parts of the globe.

“Worldwide policies can include USA, Canada and the Caribbean, although most will stipulate the countries it covers.

“The same goes for European insurance policies, which can vary from provider to provider. Checking your policy documents will only take a few minutes, but could save you thousands of pounds in the event you need to make a claim and your policy doesn’t cover your destination country.”

Not disclosing medical conditions

Whittington also emphasises the importance of informing your insurer about any medical history or health changes that occur after purchasing cover but before travelling.

She says: “This allows the insurer to appropriately assess the medical risks each customer poses, along with any other risks, in order to provide cover at a fair price.”

For those with significant medical conditions seeking affordable cover, support is available, including resources from Macmillan Cancer Support for individuals with cancer considering travel insurance.

Recent research conducted by Macmillan and YouGov revealed that a quarter (24%) of people in the UK who have received a cancer diagnosis harbour serious concerns about travel insurance.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association maintains a directory of specialist providers on its website for individuals requiring travel insurance who also have a severe medical condition.

Not shopping around

Alongside Whittington’s advice, it’s crucial to compare quotes from a variety of providers to secure the best deal that fits your requirements.

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