Andy Adams asked:

According to the Ski Club of Great Britain ski holidays and skiing weekends are becoming ever more popular. With more and more of us taking advantage of cheap European flights we’re able to get out on to the slopes more frequently and those who are more experienced are able to fit all their fun into a weekend break much like a city break for a weekend.

With no need for lessons it’s obvious that they can get their fix of skiing and or snowboarding done in a weekend, this is a considerably cheaper option to the usual cost of lessons and most of the time spent during a normal week falling over and veering towards trees!

This said, it’s also important to remember despite you’re expertise at gliding down the mountainside there’s still the possibility that you could take a fall or collide with a novice (it has happened in the past) and while this can certain put your holiday plans on ice it could also mean that your quick weekend away ends up meaning a week or two off work. This obviously means that travel insurance is needed more than ever.

Considering the costs of accidents whilst skiing, to assist an injured skier can often cost around £400, for a helicopter to rescue a skier form a mountain costs £1500 and should you need taking back home via air ambulance then that can cost a mammoth £9000, all of these services are not covered by health insurance policies and so would only be covered by travel insurance policies.

It is worthwhile to check with your travel insurers as snow and other activities may need extra cover or a specialist policy, whilst only 5% of snow and ski insured people have to claim per year it is still a very expensive claim with not only the costs mentioned earlier but also the healthcare in ski resorts is often private care with substantially increased costs since there is not much competition in remote places.

So no matter how long you’re planning to go for a spot of snow bound activities, it’s vital that you arrange suitable cover with your travel insurance company.

Eva

Daisy asked:

vel insurance need to know

In general terms, travel insurance protects all holiday costs against adverse events such as cancellation and interruption and also reimburses medical expenses, the loss or damage of property and transit delays. Travellers are compensated if they have to cancel or interrupt their travel, they will also be covered should they need emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation and other situations.

Many millions of travellers and holiday makers every year purchase some form of travel insurance, but few people know really what it is and how it can be defined. If you know what is included, and what is not you will be able to make the most of your protection.

There are four main categories of travel insurance:

1.         Delays and cancellation - including curtailment

Delay: This reimburses travellers for hotel, food or clothing expenses in the event of a flight delay. Some plans also cover costs associated with catching up with a cruise should another delay cause the traveller to miss embarkation.

Cancellation: Reimbursement comes into effect if travellers have booked and paid for a holiday, but are unable to embark because of personal illness or injury, death (of the individual or of a family member), adverse weather conditions, airline strikes, terrorism, bankruptcy, sudden unemployment, jury duty or by sustaining serious damage to their home causing it to be uninhabitable due to fire or flooding.

Interruption: Insurance companies pay money to policy holders abroad if they have to cut short their trip due to illness, death (of the traveller or a family member), terrorism, weather, airline strikes, bankruptcy, sudden unemployment, and other adverse conditions which mean that, due to events outside the control of the holiday-maker, a trip has to be curtailed.

2.                  Health and Medical reasons

Medical evacuation: This provides emergency transportation to either a local hospital in the event that the traveller is unable to get there by themselves or back to a hospital near the traveller’s home town. If family members are covered on the same policy they can travel back home also.

Medical and health reasons: This reimburses medical and emergency dental costs. Almost all travel insurance plans work by reimbursing the traveller after they have paid locally for treatment. Claims are usually paid within 7 - 10 days. Pre-existing conditions are covered by most policies if the policy is purchased within (at the most) 21 days from the date the traveller made the first payment or deposit.

3.         Death of travellers:

Accidental death - covers death or dismemberment at any time of your trip. Usually provides the lowest amount of coverage due to a higher risk

Air Flight accident - this covers death or dismemberment during an air flight only. Usually provides the highest amount of coverage due to fairly low likelihood of this occurring.

Common carrier - Covers death or dismemberment while travelling on public transport such as a plane, ferry, train bus or taxi.

4.         Personal effects: Loss or damage

Baggage loss - reimburses travellers for lost, stolen or damaged personal items. This coverage is usually restricted to the duration of the trip and not confined to baggage damaged or lost by the airline. There are two policy limits, total claim and per item maximum. Some policies also place limits on the type of items that can be claimed for - such as precious jewellery, laptops and sporting goods

Rental Car damage - Reimburses travellers for damage or loss to a rental vehicle. It is designed to allow the traveller to decline collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage offered by the car rental companies. Liability coverage should still be purchased through the car rental company. Rental Car Damage coverage is also often included with the credit card used to pay for the car rental which is often matches the coverage provided in the policy.

Assistance services - provides a 24-hour collect telephonel advice and assistance service to travellers. This service can be used anytime a traveller needs advice. Make sure you don’t leave home without it.

Samantha

WAM asked:


I live in UK. I booked a holiday in Spain. I applied for a visa. However, the travel insurance I did does not refund me if I failed to get the Schengen visa. Does any one know of a UK insurance company that offers insurance that covers trip cancellation due to visa request being rejected by the consular?
Please note that my visa is not rejected yet. However, I want to be ready with a suitable insurance in case this happened.

Theresa

mamishamu asked:


I recently returned from a trip to the US and Canada. I didn’t buy travel insurance because I figured I was covered, having used my Platinum credit card to buy the ticket. Was I just plain lucky nothing happened to me during my trip? Did I take unnecessary risks? Is my Platinum card medical cover really equivalent to a travel insurance?

Cynthia

kate seasider asked:


I have recently bee diagnosed with copd and asthma-I got in touch with a few travel insurance companies and now feel vicitmised because of being ill - i am now having a job getting insurance Can anyone help with this or come accross the same problem- thanks

Eva

Ron Mark asked:

Travel Insurance is required and should be purchased for trips that last for any duration of time and includes travelling alone or with your family in a car, by plane, or by any other mode of transport. Even if you are travelling to another country and back for a short trip, you should at least purchase a Cheap Travel Insurance package. Everyone travelling within their own country or abroad, either on a short trip, or a longer 15 plus days holiday should purchase insurance. Purchasing insurance for travelling ensures timely help and assistance, if and when required. Insurance is an invaluable asset, especially if you are travelling overseas, in an unknown country, either alone or with family, with no acquaintances, friends or family in that country to assist you if you are in distress or encounter any problem.

There are many problems that may or may not occur while travelling, but it is better to understand what can happen while travelling, and the benefits of Travel Insurance. Millions of people around the world travel every year, and there are many people who deeply regret not purchasing Travel Insurance. People tend to depend more on their credit and debit cards and accident insurance cover while travelling, and fail to understand that these will not help in most cases of distress and problems. In an emergency or accident, for example a skiing accident, these credit and debit cards, and accident insurance are useless, as they cannot assist you in transporting you to a hospital by Air ambulance, which even the Cheap Travel Insurance packages provide.

An emergency in another country can be even more distressing and may be very expensive. If the emergency requires you to be transported or air lifted to your own country, it could cost thousands of pounds, unless you have purchased appropriate Travel Insurance, or even Cheap Travel Insurance. In a medical emergency, transportation through Air Ambulance could cost anywhere from 25000$ to 50000$ depending on the country and distance covered. The embassies, Consulates, and High commissions of your country will not pay for this transportation or other hospital costs, and you have to bear the financial loss and expenses incurred, including hospital fees. But if you have purchased Travel Insurance, all this is normally taken care of by the insurance company, and you do not have to bear any of the expenses.

Travel Insurance includes health and risk covers for injuries and sudden illness, and insurers provide 24 hours emergency service and assistance. Some insurance packages also cover personal liability cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging someone’s property. Many insurance packages, including the Cheap Travel Insurance packages also cover lost or stolen documents, valuables, and baggage as well as, cover for cancellation or curtailment of your trip. Some comprehensive Travel Insurance packages could also cover legal expenses in case of legal issues encountered abroad, etc.

Travel Insurance is like carrying a personal alarm for protection. You may never need it or use it, but if a situation arises, you have the peace of mind of knowing you have a way to protect yourself. It is insurance and preparation against unforeseen problems. If you are not prepared to bear the financial cost for comprehensive insurance, you should at least purchase Cheap Travel Insurance, which covers the most common and basic risks and provides medical assistance if and when required.

Norma

Martha Vasquez asked:

Are you leaving the country for a vacation or holiday? Do you travel once a year and want to make sure you have insurance to cover anything that can go wrong. Some travelers will tell you to avoid travel insurance if you have enough money to cover your trip, but in reality something always goes wrong and having travel insurance can be a great help. If your vacation is less than 120 days and you only travel once a year consider purchasing single trip travel insurance and you will be ready in case of that emergency.

Many different travel insurance companies specifically carry single trip travel insurance. Single trip travel insurance will provide compensation if your need emergency medical service or your trip is canceled. Travel insurance usually carries additional benefits such as compensation if your luggage is lost or damaged or legal assistance if needed. The benefits available with your travel insurance will vary from one company to another make sure you read your insurance agreement before leaving on vacation to know exactly what issues are covered. With single trip travel insurance you can rest assured that someone will be able to assist you in the event of an emergency during your vacation.

Before you purchase single trip travel insurance it is important to do your homework. The cost for single trip travel insurance will vary among companies you want. In order to find the best deal in single trip travel insurance it is recommended you research at least three different companies and compare their insurance benefits. Most companies will provide you an instant quote and benefit statement online, all you need to do is provide your travel dates and destinations. Some companies even provide a travel insurance benefit for children free as long as there is one paying adult over the age of 18.

Each insurance company’s plans will vary slightly but generally you should get at least $10,000 in emergency medical insurance and $3,000 for trip cancellations. Make sure that the amount of trip cancellation insurance you purchase will cover all your expenses in the event you need to cancel your vacation. The insurance company should also provide you with a period where you can cancel the insurance for a full refund, this is usually 15 days after you purchase the insurance. Generally you should purchase single trip travel insurance at the same time you book and pay for your trip but be cautious on expending the money right if you expect your travel plans to change.

Even for the most seasoned traveler things will go wrong. It may be a plane that can not take off due to an emergency, a lost suitcase, or a medical issue while visiting the outer regions of a remote island. Do not take the chance that you will be stranded without any assistance or money to take care of your medical issues. Single trip travel insurance is your best travel companion and with a little research very reasonably priced.

Alan

Henry Bell asked:

Backpacker travel insurance is designed for people who travel new location at low cost budget and prefer to travel independently. Many people have curiosity to visit new locations and explore the hidden beauties of nature. Cheap Travel Insurance for Backpacker can be a tool for such travelers who want to explore the whole planet but at a limited budget.

Backpacker travel insurance as it indicates that it is meant for travelers who wish to unravel the hidden part of the earth but at a price which is not only cheap, also provide them the complete covers during travel. Backpacking traveling as it signifies is different from normal conventional traveling because in backpacker travelers prefer going to unusual and unconventional places. They would like to go for hiking, camping, seek out low cost options such as sharing lifts, youth hostels, buying food from the super markets abroad instead of going to the restaurants.

Hence for backpacker travelers the cheap travel insurance is the prime necessity which can help them in case unconventional traveling affects their health and hence spoiling their journey along with causing them to expend on medical expenses. But since they might afford only limited budget, hence for spending on their accidents and injury they need large amounts of money which will be unaffordable to them. Cheap travel insurance for backpacker covers them against any accidents and mishaps by reimbursing them the medical cost they incur on medical treatment during travel. Cheap travel insurance for backpacker also provides coverage for trip cancellation, flight delays, interruption in flight and for medical emergency.

For buying a policy of travel insurance for backer at cheap rate you might have to search a lot because due to risk associated with it insurance companies generally offer travel insurance for backpacker at high rate instead of giving at cheap rate. However it will be convenient for you if you do this task of search about cheap travel insurance for backpacker through internet. Internet is the most sophisticated mode of doing research. When you research about cheap travel insurance for backpacker online you will come to know that almost all insurance companies have their own websites. Insurance companies put all information related to various policies on their websites and time to time they also make changes in it. So online you can collect numerous quotes for cheap travel insurance for backpacker. After studying those quotes well when you are satisfied that policy of cheap travel insurance for backpacker is giving you the required coverage at cheap rate you can decide to grab it.

Mike

Tammy B asked:


We are purchasing a cruise for our parents & want insurance (they are 73 &74 yo). Any travel insurance stories/nightmares?

Lorraine

Jonathon Hartman asked:

There are few better feelings than that of having gotten away from your life for a little while. The knowledge that you can sleep and wake up on whatever schedule you choose and meet brand-new people every day is soothing and exciting at the same time.

Retirement is not what we are referring to. I am suggesting traveling far from home, away on a trip. But there are always risks in life. These risks are the reason you need travel insurance. Insurance covers you in the event that Mr. Bad Luck happens to strike.

But is travel insurance really necessary? The need for insurance will vary depending upon your lifestyle. It’s wise to make a habit of including insurance in your travel budget; even if you end up not needing it, it will help you feel confident and peaceful no matter what your vacation of choice.

Here are a few of the reasons why you may want to consider travel insurance before leaving for your trip.

1. Accident Coverage: A familiar insurance advert on US TV is “life comes fast at you”. You never know what may happen next. This is especially true when you are in a land far away from home. You don’t want to be involved in an accident and have to pay all expenses from your pocket. If you have travel insurance, you are most likely covered when you have an accident.

2. Disruption of Travel: These days, flight cancellations and airport delays are commonplace. If you are a business person and have meetings to attend and other timed assignments to meet, you may want to be insured against such disruptions, as these are not ideal for you. Once you have insurance, your provider will make arrangements for you so that you can transfer tickets or use alternative transportation; best of all, the expenses will be prearranged or reimbursed afterward.

3. Medical Insurance: While you are on vacation, it is possible to suffer an injury or illness that requires medical care. If you choose to forgo travel insurance, any medical expenses you need to pay while abroad will be entirely your own responsibility. A good travel insurance policy will provide for such unexpected expenses.

4. Loss and Delay of Baggage: Surveys indicate that thousands of travelers’ luggage are misplaced or stolen every month. Close to a thousand are caused inconvenience daily. When something unfortunate happens to you, will you just sit there and deal with it, or will you take action about it? You could end up in very deep trouble without travel insurance to protect you if you lose your luggage.

While you may be very excited to visit other places, explore other cultures or just get away from home once in a while, you should also consider having the right sort of coverage or travel insurance should something go wrong during the trip, cruise or tour.

Alicia