TRAVEL COVER 5 Ideas to Avoid Hefty Bills Abroad

Travellers tend to be more aware nowadays than previously of the significance of taking out travel cover before a trip. Most travels will probably go smoothly, but why take a chance and risk ruining that much-needed holiday.

A variety of travel mishaps and problems have dominated the news headlines in the past couple of years and the importance of having travel insurance, in addition to understanding your rights, hasn't been more in people's minds. Here are a few tips to consider before planning your next trip:

Tip No. 1 - Check that your travel cover policy covers all your planned activities

Not absolutely all activities are covered under all policies, so this is important. When you are on a package holiday and choose to take part in activities outside those included you may find they are not covered unless you took out separate travel insurance. However, beware of travel insurance that seems very cheap or is offered being an incentive as the levels of cover might have been reduced - or the surplus (the total amount you pay towards a claim) increased. Your travel insurance policy should include a list of covered activities, such as elephant rides, scuba diving, bungee jumps, etc. Never assume that everything is automatically covered!

Tip No. 2 - Be sure your policy includes adequate medical cover, liability and legal expenses

If you pick up a nasty stomach bug it could potentially put you in hospital. If you trip and break a leg, or sustain a serious injury it could bring about high medical bills for hospital treatment. If you cause injury to another person you will be liable and incur legal costs. If an injury results in medical repatriation to create you home by air ambulance the necessity for additional seats on the plane, and/or medical escort, could cost you plenty of pounds. Your consulate or the airline will not cover these costs. Someone has to pay and - without insurance - that someone is you, or your unsuspecting family or loved ones.

And also adequate travel and medical care insurance, always check that your policy includes cover for air ambulance and medical repatriation. That is vital.

Air ambulance fees to bring you back to the united kingdom from your own holiday destination could potentially cost a lot of money alone, and up to an astounding �50,000 from the USA! If it is essential to fly you home on a stretcher with a medical escort the fees from even closer holiday destinations could be almost as financially devastating.

Tip No. 3 - Obtain a European MEDICAL HEALTH INSURANCE Card

If you reside in a EU country and so are travelling within europe make an application for the free European MEDICAL HEALTH INSURANCE Card (EHIC) and make it with you. Depending on country, it entitles you to free or reduced-cost emergency treatment on a single basis as a national of this country, in a state-run facility (not private). The EHIC shouldn't be used instead of travel insurance, but can save you plenty of expense and inconvenience should you sustain a personal injury or become sick while travelling. You should realise that the EHIC will not cover anything much other than emergency medical care. It generally does not cover repatriation to the UK or air ambulance costs. You will need travel insurance to cover a range of travel problems, such as for example non-urgent medical care, ongoing treatment, lost luggage, missed flights, scheduled airline failure, etc.

Tip No. 4 - RESEARCH YOUR OPTIONS!

Research shows that few people actually take time to research the local laws and customs of their destination country before they set off. Knowing of potential pitfalls could save a lot of expense and grief. For instance, are you aware your destination country's rules for a single adult travelling with a child? Have you any idea which over-the-counter medicines it is possible to and cannot legally take into the country? Do you know the basic rules of the road before driving internationally? The purchase of an excellent travel guidebook, or time spent reviewing travel advice provided online, such as for example on the Foreign Office website could help you avoid becoming the victim of a scam, or being arrested or fined for violating a local law that you were not aware of.

Tip No.5 - Take note of Consulate/Embassy and Emergency Numbers

Before you travel, why not programme emergency numbers into your mobile phone and also keep an email of them together with your travel documents. Having the number for the local emergency services programmed into your cellular phone could save amount of time in the event of a robbery or accident - and even save lives. Consider registering with the Foreign Office 'Locate' service (or your personal government's equivalent) to raised enable the authorities to assist you if an emergency should arise. Their assistance in contacting friends and relatives would be a very welcome lifeline if needed and save time, frustration, and expense.

It's time to be an educated traveller, in addition to a savvy one. Why not pass these pointers along to your family and friends. Remind them to obtain travel cover and do all they can to protect themselves and prevent unnecessary and hefty bills on their travels.

Jean Andrews is an employee of TRAVEL COVER Agencies Ltd (TIA Ltd). Jean regularly contributes informative articles about travel insurance and travel related matters.