5 Key Things You Must Know About Family Holiday Insurance
Going on a family holiday is always great fun and probably something the entire group has been looking forward to for many months. However, your trip can quickly go wrong if you do not take out family holiday insurance before you go away. Even if you know that you should take out a policy, and fully intend doing so, you may be unaware of some of the details that can trip you up. Here are five things to know before you buy your policy this year.
1. Buy Before You Leave Home
Most family holiday insurance providers will only be able to provide you with cover before you depart for your destination, so remember to organise cover before you leave home. Try to make it a habit to purchase a policy just as soon as your flights are booked, that way, if you get one with cancellation cover, you may get some compensation if you have to cancel your trip for any reason.
2. Multi-Trip Can Be Better Value
If this is not your only break away planned for the year you may want to look into a multi-trip policy for you and your family. Prices vary between providers, but you may find that it costs less to buy one policy for the whole year rather than different policies each time you travel.
3. The EHIC Is Not the Same as Travel Insurance
The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) does not over the same cover as a dedicated family holiday insurance policy, so don't assume it will be enough if you're travelling to a European destination. While it may allow you to get the same medical treatment as a local would receive in your destination country, this may be a lower standard than you would expect back home. In addition, it does not cover you for medical repatriation or any of the other things typically covered by an independent policy, such as cancellation, delayed departure and lost belongings.
4. Know Your Limits
Every policy will have limits for each event, such as a few million pounds for emergency health cover, or a few hundred pounds for personal belongings. Know what these limits are before you agree to take out a policy to avoid any unpleasant surprises if you make a claim.
5. Don't Get Caught Out With Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, or you even suspect you may have one, always tell your policy provider. They may increase your premium (or in extreme cases even refuse you cover completely) but the risk of not declaring any conditions is too great.
Stay Safe
Family holiday insurance is something that you should always take out before you go abroad for any length of time, even just for a weekend. If something were to go wrong and you ended up having an accident, you need to know that you and your family are covered financially for any treatment or any other claims that you may need to make.
1. Buy Before You Leave Home
Most family holiday insurance providers will only be able to provide you with cover before you depart for your destination, so remember to organise cover before you leave home. Try to make it a habit to purchase a policy just as soon as your flights are booked, that way, if you get one with cancellation cover, you may get some compensation if you have to cancel your trip for any reason.
2. Multi-Trip Can Be Better Value
If this is not your only break away planned for the year you may want to look into a multi-trip policy for you and your family. Prices vary between providers, but you may find that it costs less to buy one policy for the whole year rather than different policies each time you travel.
3. The EHIC Is Not the Same as Travel Insurance
The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) does not over the same cover as a dedicated family holiday insurance policy, so don't assume it will be enough if you're travelling to a European destination. While it may allow you to get the same medical treatment as a local would receive in your destination country, this may be a lower standard than you would expect back home. In addition, it does not cover you for medical repatriation or any of the other things typically covered by an independent policy, such as cancellation, delayed departure and lost belongings.
4. Know Your Limits
Every policy will have limits for each event, such as a few million pounds for emergency health cover, or a few hundred pounds for personal belongings. Know what these limits are before you agree to take out a policy to avoid any unpleasant surprises if you make a claim.
5. Don't Get Caught Out With Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, or you even suspect you may have one, always tell your policy provider. They may increase your premium (or in extreme cases even refuse you cover completely) but the risk of not declaring any conditions is too great.
Stay Safe
Family holiday insurance is something that you should always take out before you go abroad for any length of time, even just for a weekend. If something were to go wrong and you ended up having an accident, you need to know that you and your family are covered financially for any treatment or any other claims that you may need to make.
