Why you should buy Travel Insurance when you book your holiday
Why you should buy Travel Insurance when you book your holiday
We’re often approached by clients looking to purchase Travel Insurance weeks, sometimes days, before travelling.
But there are significant advantages of buying Travel Insurance in advance.
While none of us want to think about things that could go wrong in the time between booking and jetting off, taking out a policy early could potentially save you thousands. The best advice is to buy your Travel Insurance on the same day you book your holiday.
The reason is simple. If something happens that means you need to cancel the trip, from illness to travel disruption, you should be covered. And by purchasing an insurance policy that comes with cancellation cover, you’ll have peace of mind that you won’t have to spend on a trip that never happens.
How will buying Travel Insurance early benefit me?
- Cancellations. One of the main reasons people claim. Having to cancel your holiday means you will lose money even before you leave. But if you buy Travel Insurance in advance you should be able to take advantage of the policy’s cancellation cover. Please do note, however, that Insurer’s will not allow you to claim for any event you knew was imminent. For example, you can’t buy insurance after you have fallen ill and then cancel your holiday. But the earlier you buy, the more secure your holiday (and money spent on it) will be.
- Illness. One of the main reasons people buy Travel Insurance is in case they happen to fall ill or get injured whilst on holiday. But what about if you fall ill before leaving and can no longer go? When you book your travel insurance in advance, you should be covered for any unexpected illness that occurs from the time of buying your insurance. If you cannot go on your holiday due to illness, whether yours or a close family member’s, your travel insurance should cover the cost up to the amount in your policy document. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions these should to be declared when booking your policy.
- Airline Problems. Travel Insurance can pay out if your airline goes out of business. One notable exception is travel to a country that the FCO advised against travelling to at the time you purchase your holiday and insurance – this is not covered by your travel insurance.
- And it doesn’t cost any more. Travel Insurance pricing does not typically change depending on demand, or how far in advance it is bought. If you plan on buying it anyway, booking early will not usually cost any more money, but with all the benefits listed above.
But won’t my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) be enough?
Buying Travel Insurance isn’t mandatory and many people travel without it.
European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) have led to the common misconception that you don’t need travel insurance when visiting countries in Europe. While it’s true that some countries in the European Union offer free healthcare to UK travellers who present a valid EHIC, this isn’t the case everywhere.
Your EHIC only entitles you to the level of state-provided care that locals receive in the country you’re visiting. Not all European medical systems work like the UK’s; some will require you to pay towards the cost of your care.
You can check medical care costs for the country you’re visiting via the NHS’s country-by-country guide.
Regardless of whether you have an EHIC, you will not be covered for the cost of rescue in ski resorts, or being flown back to the UK due to illness or medical emergency. And by solely relying on your EHIC, you’ll also miss out on cover for cancelled or shortened holidays, not to mention lost belongings. For this reason, it’s recommended that you have both an EHIC and an appropriate travel insurance policy before travelling abroad in Europe.
We are Experienced Insurance Brokers and can help ensure you have the right Travel Insurance.
If you would like us to talk you through Travel Insurance needs please get in touch. We can offer a no-obligation quote. You can contact us:
- Through our Live Chat
- By emailing us at info@evansinsurance.co.uk
- You can also call us on 01708 289 525