Tips for Hassle Free Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is often an after idea when engagement a trip but can be a life rescuer if things travel wrong, especially if you're half manner around the human race when it does.

At the very least a good travel insurance policy purchases you a small extra peace of mind. But is it a false sense of security? With travel insurance companies estimating that up to 10% of claims are fraudulent, how can you guarantee that any legitimate claim you do is taken seriously and paid out in full?

TIP 1. Take a near expression before you buy
Many people presume that there's little difference between most travel insurance policies. In reality, the quality of cover, options included and surpluses you'll have got to pay volition vary. This mightiness expression fiddling now but will be important should you need to claim.

A batch of differences originate because people believe they're covered and discover too late that they're not.

So before you simply choose for the cheapest premium, take a near look and do certain you're comparing like with like. In particular, be certain to check:

•Policy excess: don't just compare insurance premiums check how much of a claim you would have got to pay. If the surplus is £50 per point that agency you have got got to pay the first £50 of any claim for each point you are claiming for.
•The upper limit you claim for individual items.
•The degree of medical protection you have, particularly in states like the USA where medical costs can be higher.
•What you're not covered for such as as pre-existing medical conditions.
•If you're covered for lost or purloined cash and how much.
•If loss is covered as well as theft.
•If 24-hour emergency aid is included or optional.

A comprehensive listing of insurance companies can be establish in the Travel Insurance Index.

TIP 2. Disclose any existent medical conditions
Your travel insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company based upon "utmost good faith". As such as you have got a duty to let on anything that may impact the acceptance or terms of a policy, any exclusions or its price.

Be completely unfastened and honorable about your medical history and any activities you're likely to take portion in, whether you believe they're risky or not. As with any insurance policy; if in uncertainty declare it anyway. One of the most common defenses made by insurance companies when declining a claim is that information was not discolsed or not correctly disclosed. Declare everything and written document it.

TIP 3. Take a transcript written document with you
Most good policy travel insurance written documents will confirm the claim processes to follow in the event of theft or loss, what you are covered for and most importantly who to name in an emergency. Having this information to manus can salvage a batch of unecessary emphasis if you need aid whilst away.

TIP 4. Document any valuable items
Take photo's and maintain gross for expensive points such as as jewelry or photographic cameras you be after to take with you on holiday. Having cogent evidence assists enormously if you claim for these high value items.

TIP 5. Report any thefts or losings quickly
Any losings or thefts should be reported immediately to the local police. Get an accident report number or similar docudrama cogent evidence that you've officially reported the loss and if you're on a package holiday, again quickly report the state of affairs to the hotel or travel company rep.

If your bag is lost, stolen or damaged at the airport, report it immediately and get a reception from the airline or baggage handler.

TIP 6. Be prepared for medical claims
The old E111 word forms have got now been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles the holder to free medical treatment within Europe equivalent to that available on the NHS. Application word forms are available from Post Offices and should be submitted at least 10 years before you travel. This is based upon understandings between europium states and measure ups visitants for the same medical treatment as local citizens.

Before you go forth check your policy written document or contact the insurance company to confirm what precise stairway your insurance company necessitates you to take in a medical emergency. If you have got to purchase any treatments or medicines, again maintain gross and original prescriptions if possible.

TIP 7. When you get home
If you need to do a claim, analyze the small print, contact your insurance company and work out what you can claim for. Gather and submit all encouraging certification via recorded bringing (keeping transcripts for yourself) as grounds of your claim. Submit receipts, photos and transcripts of any police force or medical reports you have got received.

Keep transcripts all correspondence and do elaborate records of every phone call, including the name of the individual you spoke with and the clip of your call.

TIP 8. What if your claim is declined?
Your claim could be declined by the insurance company for many reasons. For illustration most policies won't cover alcohol-related incidents and like all insurance you must take 'reasonable' care of your belongings.

Your first measure is to appeal against the determination providing elaborate and specific points for your arguement backed up by any further evidence. If you experience you have got been poorly treated you can take your lawsuit to the Financial Ombudsman Service.