Travel cover is important whether you are going on holiday abroad, going on a skiing trip or you have chosen to holiday in one of the many beautiful spots in the UK. In the majority of cases, your holiday goes off without incident and you have a great time and arrive home, fit and well. However, there is the possibility of accidents occurring, or things not going as planned (before or during your trip), and this is where your holiday insurance comes in very handy.

Events typically included in your travel insurance

The events that are covered in your policy may depend on which type of travel cover you choose to take out and how much you wish to pay. However, an insurance policy to cover travel may typically cover the following.

Health insurance

While in the UK you do not typically have to pay to see a Doctor or for treatment in the emergency room, many countries may charge you to do so and this is typically protected in your travel insurance. For example if you were to suffer a fall whilst in the USA and break your leg, you are taken to the ER and without insurance, you typically have to pay for examinations, x-rays, and medication. If your break requires surgery then you also have to pay for this too, which may all add up to many thousands of dollars or equivalent pounds. If you have insurance behind you, the provider typically pays for the costs, or up to a certain amount. Even an illness whilst in another country may work out costly without cover and again insurance covers you.

If you were to become seriously ill or have a serious accident and an air ambulance was needed then this also typically costs many thousands of pounds, depending on the country you are visiting. Again, your travel insurance is there for you to rely on and claim against.

Various events

There are also various other events that may occur and which may leave you in financial distress if you do not have insurance to rely on. Here are some of the events your policy typically covers, though this can vary among providers, so always check the small print.

• a trip that has to be cancelled due to you being confined due to illness or involuntary redundancy;
• your trip or holiday suffering from an interruption;
• legal costs that arise from a liability claim against you;
• protection against the possibility of your travel company going out of business;
• lose of your luggage;
• airline and / or accommodation supplier failure (say if they go bust);
• theft of your luggage or belongings inside the luggage.

Different forms of insurance you may wish to consider

There are different types of holiday insurance you might want to consider taking out. Some forms of travel cover are aimed with a certain type of holiday such as golfing, UK holidays, or winter sports. Others provide cover for different aspects such as airline failure or the possibility of you becoming redundant and not being able to go on holiday. Always ensure that you check out the benefits and features of each so that you are able to choose the most suitable type of holiday insurance for your needs.