Travel insurance
Information on insurance for your holiday
Travel insurance can cover you for losses due to cancellation of your holiday, loss or theft of travellers' cheques or baggage, medical expenses, personal liability etc.
Before you take out any insurance, ask for a copy of the policy conditions and take time to read them very carefully. If you do are not sure you understand the conditions ask your travel agent or get independent advice. Do not assume that insurance covers you for all situations. For example, you may not be covered for cancellation or any other loss if the loss relates to a medical condition that existed at the time you took out the policy.
Shop around for insurance to make sure you are getting the right cover for your needs and that it represents good value for money. Check what the policy doesn't cover as well as what it does. Take particular note of any special conditions with which you must comply in order to make a claim. For example, your claim for theft may be rejected if you don't report the theft to police where you are holidaying, within 48 hours.
When applying for insurance it is important that you disclose any material fact which may influence the insurer to accept or reject the contract with you. If you don't do this, the insurer may later seek to avoid liability on the basis of your non-disclosure.
Take a copy of your policy with you on holiday so you can refer back to the conditions if you have to.
As with all insurance contracts, it is important that you take reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of loss. For example, if you park your car in a public car park overnight and your camera is stolen from the seat of the car, your claim may be rejected because you failed to take reasonable care.