It’s drummed into us by travel experts, people who sell holidays and airlines. If you travel out of the UK, you need to take out insurance. Insurance is one of those unusual products which we buy in the hope we’re never going to have to use it, but which gives us peace of mind that someone else will pick up the tab should we break a leg in Budapest or have our passport stolen in Prague. Most travel insurance claims are very straightforward and are settled quickly. There are however some very important exclusions which you have to be aware of.
Medical Cover after a Terrorist Attack
The chances of being caught up in a terrorist attack while on holiday and requiring medical treatment are incredibly small, but it’s a fear which is on many people’s minds. Many standard travel insurance policies specifically exclude claims arising from acts of terror, so if the worst happened and you were stuck in a foreign hospital, they could refuse to pay up. If you have planned ahead and organised EHIC cover before leaving home, this will entitle you to use the state healthcare system in an EU country. That doesn’t mean healthcare will be free though, and it obviously won’t cover you for terror related attacks outside the European Economic Area. Some insurers offer additional insurance which will cover terror attacks if you are particularly worried.
Alcohol
Every year the newspapers are full of stories about holidaymakers suffering injuries overseas by falling off balconies or being involved in road accidents after an evening drinking. Drinking alcohol raises the risk of you having an accident, and many insurance policies now exclude claims relating from being drunk. The exact wording of policies differ, and there is often much legal wrangling over terms such as being “under the influence”. Again, the EHIC cover will allow you to seek help in European A&E departments for injuries sustained under these circumstances.
Extreme Sports
Most people would expect to have to pay extra on their insurance policy to cover against obviously risky sports such as skiing or mountaineering, but what about scuba diving, horse riding or hiking? Not all companies class the same sports as “extreme”, and many will only cover organised treks or dives which are supervised by a professional. Dives may only be covered to a certain depth, and hiking cover may specify you don’t go above a set height. Don’t be tempted to bend the rules as the insurer just won’t pay out.
When a relative is not a “close” relative
Many travel insurance policies won’t just cover your illnesses, but also a close relative falling ill which results in you having to cancel your holiday or fly home early. But just what other relatives are included? Some insurers will cover the illness of an aunt or sister-in-law, others will restrict cover to parents, siblings and children. It’s certainly something to think about if you have a large extended family, as EHIC cover will only cover your illness and won’t meet travel costs.