Is travel insurance cover worth the expense?

Many travellers now consider insuring their trips to be an essential part of holiday preparation, whatever length of break they're planning to take. Travel insurance doesn't have to be expensive either - especially when you purchase multi-trip policies to provide greater value for numerous travels within the same year - and you may find it an invaluable asset if the unexpected happens while you're abroad.



One of the most important aspects of travel insurance for many people is the medical cover it provides, as you could soon find yourself out of pocket and facing expensive medical bills if you become ill or injured and require treatment overseas. Even basic travel insurance policies include some level of medical cover, and premium policies will provide access to some of the best medical care in the world, in whichever country you're visiting.



Making sure you get all the necessary vaccinations before you visit certain countries can be essential in the event that you need to make a claim, as your policy could be invalidated if you fail to take adequate precautions. You should similarly ensure that you provide accurate details of your medical history and current state of health to your insurer when arranging your quote, as this will play some part in the amount you pay.

If you're planning on taking part in certain risky activities while you're away, you may need to spend a little more on a dedicated insurance policy to cover these - such as winter sports coverage if you're planning on skiing, snowboarding or taking part in other activities that may not be covered by standard policies. If you're thinking of taking your car abroad, this could also affect your travel insurance quotes and needs to be reported to your insurance provider too - not only for travel insurance, but car insurance too.



It isn't only your health that travel insurance protects, of course, and many people were grateful for the cover their policies offered for cancelled or delayed flights during events such as the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption. If you are not covered by travel insurance, you will usually have to book new flights yourself, and may not be compensated by your airline. The same applies for accommodation if you're unable to make it on time.



You need to look after your belongings while you're travelling too, and travel insurance typically covers lost or stolen luggage, so you can be compensated if your valuables are lost in transit.



The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Confused.com. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.