3 Things to Check Before Purchasing Single Trip Travel Insurance

In this day and age, travel abroad is no longer domain of the elite. Modern technological advances in transportation and communication have turned this once rarefied dream into one that average people can have within their reach. In fact, travel abroad has become one of the things many people consider when making their yearly plans, making sure to fit it into their budgets and schedules, even going so far as to making travel part of their household insurance policies.

Purchasing an annual policy for all travel makes sense in many cases, however, for those who can only afford the time and expense of travelling once a year, single trip travel insurance is definitely the right choice. Not only is a single trip travel insurance policy more cost efficient than a blanket policy, it can be configured to needs specific to your trip, in addition to the more standard protections such as trip cancellation and baggage loss coverage. For example, if you’re going diving in the Caribbean, you may find out too late that your annual blanket coverage does not cover such ‘adventure travel’ activities.

In travel, research is key to getting the best value for your buck, and this includes proper coverage. Being aware of a few details can help ensure you have the right policy for your needs.

Pre-existing conditions

One of the biggest issues when it comes claims with regards to single trip travel insurance is the failure of the client to disclose pre-existing conditions, which are generally not covered by blanket policies. Always discuss pre-existing conditions with your insurance provider when purchasing a policy. This is doubly important as it may not only hinder your ability to file a claim once you return, but worse, you may not be covered in the event of a medical emergency during your trip!

Existing coverage

One of the best ways to save money is to check your other policies for existing coverage. For example, credit card companies often include damage and loss protection for travel-related gadgets such as cameras, which may mean that you could leave your camera off your travel cover if you so choose. Likewise, if you have an existing policy against accidents, finding out if accidents outside of the UK are covered can help you better decide the specific cover you need for your trip.

Political climate of your destination

This may seem like a weird thing to have to know before going on holiday, but knowing the political climate of your destination will not only help you plan which topics and areas to avoid during your trip, but will help you decide on extra precautions you may want to take. Generally, single trip travel insurance policies have built-in coverage in case of war or acts of terrorism. However, details such as valid dates with regards to cancellation or property loss can differ significantly, so be sure to consider such scenarios and discuss them with your provider.

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Insuremore. We provide low cost travel insurance and offer a range of policies including single trip travel insurance, annual, multi-trip and family cover. For all your travel cover needs, Insuremore can help you in the quickest and most cost-efficient way.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.