Travel insurance

Time was when travel insurance tended to be sold as a single, standard package, one trip at a time, wherever in the world you were going and whatever the purpose of the travel. This posed two major drawbacks: the standard package could well result in your buying cover that you really did not need; or – potentially worse – leave you without a particular type or aspect of cover which you really did need.

Travel insurance today, however, is far more sophisticated and can be tailored to fit individual needs to ensure that vital cover is included, while unnecessary elements can be excluded and full value for money enjoyed. Features of such insurance, therefore, are likely to include the following:

Annual or single-trip

One of the most helpful innovations has been the marketing of annual insurance that gives the reassurance of knowing that every trip is covered. This avoids last-minute dashing around to arrange what could prove to be more expensive single-trip insurance and recognizes that many people travel abroad more frequently these days. For the less adventurous, however, it is still possible to take out single-trip insurance, as and when it is needed.

Adventure

Travel insurers recognize the recent huge growth in the numbers of people combining travel with adventure sports and activities. Whether this is skiing or snowboarding, other mountain sports, water sports or a myriad other forms of adventure, specialist insurance packages are available to cover the particular and peculiar needs of those who determined to mix action with their travel.

Cruising

Another explosion in holiday choices has been the growth in cruise ship travel. This also entails the need for cover that addresses the particular needs and concerns of cruise passengers, whatever their age.

Golfing

A sporting trip on which you are unlikely to run the same risk of injury as the adventurously inclined is a golf holiday. But, once again, there are particular needs and concerns that insurance packages can cover for the traveling golfer. Golf clubs and other equipment are valuable and need insuring, for example, whilst tailored packages can also cover the cancellation of expensive green fees or other bookings.

Backpackers

More and more students and many other young people are taking advantage of “gap years” and other extended holidays to see more of the world and spend longer overseas. Where standard holiday insurance is frequently limited to a maximum number of days that would fall short of the backpackers’ expectations, these specifically-designed insurance packages provide cheap cover for those planning to be away from home for up to a year or 18 months (depending on the insurer).

Age-related

Given that many travel insurance plans provide cover for up to a maximum of £10 million medical cover, the policy holder’s age and any pre-existing medical conditions need to be taken into account. These days, however, disabilities, special needs or pre-existing medical conditions need be no barrier to a holiday and securing the appropriate level of travel insurance. Neither is age any obstacle, since many companies will insure travelers up to 99 years of age, simply recognizing that the age of the policy holder will of course affect the level of risk insured and therefore arranging cover as appropriate for those aged up to 65 years, those 66 to 69, 70 to 75, and over 75.