Top Ten Travel Insurance Mistakes

Obtaining the perfect travel insurance policy isn’t as tricky as it sounds but you’d be surprised to hear a great deal of insurance candidates or current policyholders make numerous mistakes time and time again. There’s no shame in making a mistake but, when it comes to travel insurance, some are more costly than others, potentially delivering serious consequences both financially and in terms of hassle. Consequently, here’s a round-up of the top ten travel insurance mistakes – from spelling errors to holiday-ruining mishaps – you could make.

Not checking terms and conditions

Always, ALWAYS check the terms and conditions. This is easily one of the most common pitfalls of policyholders but one of the most simple to rectify. Before signing on the dotted line, double-check the insurance provider’s T&Cs; to ensure you’re covered for certain aspects of your trip.

Wrong travel dates

Triple-check your travel dates; your whole travel insurance policy could be invalidated if you don’t provide the right departure and arrival times on your trip. For instance, ensure you state the date you leave and arrive home rather than the date you arrive and leave your resort.

Extending your trip without notice

Another common mistake is adding a few extra days on a holiday and expecting to be covered. Most insurers will grant an extension to your policy if you provide sufficient notice but holidaymakers expecting a ‘grace’ period where their insurance is valid will be out of luck.

Crossing the border

Your travel insurance policy may or may not restrict you by geographical location so always check before crossing into a bordering country. If the former is true, any incident that occurs on soil outside of your chosen location will not be valid.

Not comparing quotes

It is always worth gaining a handful of quotes from reputable travel insurance providers before making the final decision on your insurance. This way, you can compare the price and the coverage from each provider and decide which is more applicable to your trip.

No coverage for sports

Some policies have exclusions and limitations on coverage for sports activities. If you’re planning on scuba diving on St Lucia or snowboarding in the Alps, always ensure you have coverage for such activities. If not, any incident occurring as a result of the sport will not be covered by your policy.

Undisclosed medical conditions

When in discussion with a travel insurance provider, it is recommended you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions as some reputable providers will deliver quotes with coverage for said condition. However, if you try and keep it a secret and something occurs on your trip, your normal policy may not provide coverage.

The provider has a poor complaint record

It can be easy just to opt for the insurance provider offering the cheapest coverage. However, this can backfire spectacularly if you put in a claim and the provider rejects it, even if it is a legitimate claim. Always conduct research into the complaints history of a provider and make a decision from there.

Paying too much

Another common mistake is overpaying for the coverage you’re receiving. You could be on the most basic policy available but a reputable competitor could be offering the same package for half the price. As a result, it’s always worth comparing prices with rivals to ensure you’re not getting ripped off.

Not getting travel insurance

The most common travel insurance mistake is….not getting travel insurance. If any incident occurs on your holiday – an injury, a flight cancellation, a dispute with the hotel – a lack of insurance means you won’t be covered. You may not have the cash to cover the costs of a new flight or hotel room, turning your dream holiday into a nightmare. Avoiding these travel insurance mistakes means you can rest easy in the knowledge you are fully covered should something happen while on holiday. Always read the small print and always conduct a thorough amount of research before taking out coverage as it could spring you out of a tricky situation in the future.