Frequently Asked Questions

Here are no-nonsense answers to the burning questions on most sensible travellers' minds...

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Government recommended!

No-one is immune to ill health, and the medical bit of your travel insurance may be the most important cover of all. The UK government recommends travel insurance and who can argue with them when you see the figures for emergency medical costs for operations, consultant and medical personnel and repatriation costs such as air ambulance, escorted travel and accommodation. If you travel to Europe with a free EHIC health card it is worthy to note that it does not cover repatriation costs. Every year we hear in local news of people getting caught out abroad and relatives and friends ending up being approached for help with colossal bills for treatment and return flights home.

But I Feel Healthy.

If you have existing health problems or not, adequate travel insurance is about covering unanticipating events and unpredictable illnesses.

Suppose you go down with, say, something as simple as tonsillitis. Let's ignore the agony (it is agonising, even if it appears to most people as a child's complaint.

At the end of the day, over-the-counter medicine can be very pricy abroad (come to think of it, they're very pricy at home too - so why should abroad be any different?)

Just remember that the money you put aside for holiday treats could end up being siphoned away in the local drugstore instead.

OK, forget about tonsillitis. Instead, think about Delhi Belly or chronic diarrhea. Are you really so street-wise that you know which local restaurants to avoid? If serious food poisoning results in your hospitalisation who's going to pay for your treatment then?

Do I Tell About a Medical Condition?

Yes. People with pre-existing medical conditions or health complaints should be able to get cover, even for existing and related illnesses, except in the most extreme circumstances, and as long as you are not awaiting treatment. Not all providers can cover you, but many can and specialise in what are called "pre-existing medical conditions"

It's unlikely your policy will come good (voided) if you have to cancel or cut short your holiday if you fall ill because of something you were already suffering from before you left home.

You must tell your insurer about any pre-existing medical condition before you go.

The same goes for any dependents who are travelling with you.

They won't be covered if they have to make a claim as a direct result of their condition.

Nor will you, if you have to cut short your holiday because of it.

Your holiday insurance policy is there to cover emergency health needs, so you must enable to broker / underwriter to assess normal travel risks against those unique to you, it's only fair.

Insurers have lots of information and statistics to let them provide premium prices based on objective assessment of your health problems.

What Are Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If you - or someone travelling with you - can answer yes to any of the following questions, then you'll possibly be classed under pre-existing medical condition and you'll need to declare it to your insurer.

1. Conditions might include: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, cancer, back treatment, HIV Aids and other illnesses that might increase the risk of a claim being made on your insurer.
2. Have you been in hospital in the last 12 months as an emergency or day care patient?
3. Are you taking any prescribed medication?
4. Are you or anyone travelling with you awaiting test results following an in-patient stay or a visit to a medical practitioner?
5. Is there anyone in your immediate family whose ill health could prevent you from travelling or cut short your holiday?
6. If any of these answers are YES you need to tell your insurer.

Each insurer has their own set of questions, so our list is not exclusive, but you get the picture we hope. Insurers will refer you to their medical screening agency, who can advise whether your condition or medication is able to be covered and the cost of this cover.

Can I get Travel Insurance if I'm Pregnant?

Yes, policies will tend to state that as long as you're not travelling against your doctor's advice and are 28 weeks pregnant or less at the beginning of, or during your trip, or 24 weeks pregnant in the case of a known multiple pregnancy you can have cover. Different insurers place different restrictions on travelling while pregnant. So check the small print.

You'll probably want to be covered if you cancel or cut short your trip for medical reasons.

What if I have an Emergency Abroad?

Although it might not seem like it at the time, the vast majority of emergencies aren't real emergencies.

A dodgy stomach or sprained wrists aren't generally emergencies.

Ask your tour operator/hotel for advice - most hotels have a resident GP.

Often you'll have to pay for the cost of minor treatment yourself and, depending on the excess, claim when you get home.

Serious Emergencies

For serious medical conditions, the hospital treating you will contact the 24-hour emergency company (listed in your travel insurance documents) who in turn will verify your policy and take over negotiations.

Contact the 24-hour emergency services before any claim to make sure that you're properly covered.

A lot of hospitals abroad are privately run and your insurance may not cover treatment unless it's agreed in advance.

Not always easy, we know, especially if you're lying unconscious in a hospital bed. Just make sure the people you're travelling with know the score if something untoward happens.

Make sure you keep documents with you and if travelling to Europe apply and carry an EHIC card too.

What Does Holiday Cover Cost for 2-weeks?

It all depends on your own personal circumstance. Just remember ...

• Levels of cover vary, so don't go by price alone.
• A dearer policy doesn't necessarily meant it's a better deal either.
• Always understand what insurance you are buying and read the small print before you sign up.
• It's always best to know exactly where you stand and what risks you'll have covered before you sign up rather than find you're not covered when the you-know-what hits the fan.
• When you have to start to plan for a medical emergency, it's already too late.

Where Do All our Travel Insurance Premiums Go?

Pooling Of Risk

The simple answer is into one big pot. If you do need to claim, this is where the dosh comes from.

It may seem unfair if you're as fit as a fiddle and never, ever make a claim. However, you will have had peace of mind and can be thankful you didn't need the cover after all.

As insurance represents the called pooling of risk, it protects the unlucky among us who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Around 1 million Brits a year are saved from stumping up large sums of cash, or running up credit card debt when they have their holiday plans go awry.