What is Holiday Insurance?

Guide to travel insurance: This is a general guide and is not equal or equivalent to your insurance policy from a recommendation from Holiday Insurance Web.

INTRODUCTION

In general terms, holiday insurance protects you against cancellation and interruption to your holiday. It will also reimburse you for medical expenses, loss or damage to property or baggage and travel delays.

Holiday insurance is absolutely vital for today's holidaymaker - the consequences of not purchasing holiday insurance can be extremely costly.

Your policy will have a 24 hour assistance number in the event that you need advice or help - ensure that you keep this telephone number in a safe place.

The three main categories of holiday insurance are:

1. DELAYS, CANCELLATION AND CURTAILMENT

Cancellation: Holidaymakers will be reimbursed if they have booked and paid for a holiday but are unable to take it as a result of the following: personal injury or illness, death (of the individual or a family member), adverse weather conditions, airline strikes, terrorism, bankruptcy, sudden unemployment, jury duty or if their home sustains serious flood or fire damage causing it to be uninhabitable.

Interruption: Holidaymakers will be compensated if their trips have to be cut short due to illness, death (of the individual or a family member), adverse weather conditions, airline strikes, terrorism, bankruptcy, sudden unemployment or any external factor outside of their control that means the trip has to be curtailed.

Delay: This reimburses holidaymakers for costs incurred for hotels, food or clothing in the event of flight delay. Some policies also cover costs associated with catching up with a cruise if a previous delay has meant the original boarding has been missed.

2. MEDICAL, HEALTH AND LIFE

This covers holidaymakers for medical and emergency dental treatment costs. Policies work by reimbursing policyholders after they have paid locally for treatment - normally 7-10 days after claims are submitted. Pre-existing conditions can be covered but must be declared when the insurance is taken out.

Air flight accident
Covers death or dismemberment during an air flight only.

Common carrier
Covers death or dismemberment while on public transport such as a plane, ferry, bus or taxi on which you are a fare paying customer.

Accidental death
Covers death or dismemberment at any time during your trip.

3. PERSONAL EFFECTS

Baggage loss/delay – Reimburses holidaymakers for lost, stolen or damaged luggage during the trip and for costs incurred for luggage delayed more than 12 hours up to a pre-set amount. Certain items will also have a maximum claim amount.

Personal items - Covers holidaymakers against the loss or theft of cash, credit cards, passport, driving licence and other personal documents.

Rental Car damage – Covers holidaymakers against the damage to or loss of a rental vehicle. This is designed to allow policyholders to decline collision damage waiver (CDW) which is often offered by car rental companies. Liability coverage should still be purchased through the car rental company. Rental car damage cover is often also provided by the credit car company when you pay for your car hire by credit card.

Please click here for a Summary of Holiday Insurance Cover.
Click here for the full policy cover (Download Adobe Acrobat© Reader)

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