Travel Insurance Guide - Part 3 of 4
In our guide to travel insurance we continue to examine the different types of cover available by taking a look at insurance for winter sports and adventurous past times, insurance for backpackers and long stay and insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions.
To skip directly to the other parts of this guide click on the links below:
- Part 1 - why travel insurance is important and how much it costs
- Part 2 - annual or single trip; insurance for families, over 65s and business trips
- Part 4 - baggage and cancellation cover; finding the right travel insurance
Winter sports travel insurance
Skiing and snowboarding trips are among the most popular holiday choices from the British public. However, they have the potential to be extremely dangerous and as such there is an increasing need to ensure you have adequate cover. For example, breaking a leg in Switzerland can set you back by as much as £25,000 while the cost of bringing you home from the United States with the same injury would be £70,000.
Winter sports cover is an optional extra on a number of general travel insurance policies but it is also offered as a separate product, which is ideal for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The degree of insurance will vary from general on and off piste activities to other pursuits such as mono-skiing and cross-country skiing. For the more adventurous, many companies offer worldwide travel insurance that incorporates activities such as bobsleigh, ice hockey and tobogganing.
It's not just the activities you will need to consider - equipment cover is also needed. For example, some policies might only cover the skis you personally own, whereas others will offer cover for loss or theft of hired equipment. Some policies will also cover the costs of Search and Rescue, regardless of the circumstances under which you go missing. Also make sure you are covered if the slopes are green rather than white - not all providers offer cover if there is 'no snow'.
Adventure travel insurance
Similarly to winter sports insurance, a lot of forethought is needed if you are planning an adventure holiday abroad. Most general travel insurance policies will offer cover for adventure sports as an add-on to the existing policy, but if you are going away exclusively to engage in adventure activities it could be worthwhile looking at a travel insurance policy tailored to adventurous pursuits such as bungee jumping, white-water rafting, etc. If you are intending to participate in any risky activities then obtaining suitable cover beforehand is imperative.
Backpackers travel insurance
This is sometimes known as 'long stay insurance', 'students', 'travel insurance' or even 'gap year travel insurance'. The basic premise is that the traveller is going away for a long period of time and as such the level of cover they need differs to the cover provided by a regular policy.
Long-stay travel insurance can offer you cover from three- to eighteen months. Furthermore, it can also cover working overseas, which is usually necessary for an extended trip.
There might be specific needs for a long-stay holiday that will need to be included. It is important to make sure that the countries you plan to visit are covered as part of the policy as the degrees of cover available will vary. If you plan to go outside Europe a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will not cover you and some third-world or war-torn countries might not be covered at all. Additionally, what is the state of medical care in these countries and are you covered as part of your policy? With personal possessions, do you have a safe place to store them while on the move etc? It's vital to know exactly what you are getting into ahead of time to ensure you receive adequate cover.
Cover for people with pre-existing medical conditions
Anyone who has a pre-existing medical condition will generally face larger travel insurance premiums. For example, many travel insurers will hike costs significantly if you have ever had cancer - even if you are now considered to be fully recovered. However, despite the increase in charges if you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition, it is vital to be honest with your insurer.
If, for example, you fail to tell them that you suffer from asthma and then you suffer an attack while abroad, your insurer is highly unlikely to pay out on a claim. If you are honest and up front your insurer may choose to cover you for any treatment for your pre-existing condition, or exclude that condition from the policy. Though the extra risk you present is likely to be reflected in the cost of your insurance premium that will be small change compared to the hefty bill you'll receive in the event of your insurer refusing to pay a claim related to a pre-existing condition.
It is also a good idea to consider an EHIC that allows you to obtain medical treatment at a reduced cost in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. This is particularly useful when your insurer chooses to exclude your pre-existing condition from the policy meaning you will be responsible for paying for your own treatment, should you need any.
Travel Insurance Guide - Part Four
Compare Travel Insurance Quotes and Cover
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