It may not be top of your holiday check list, but getting the right holiday insurance policy is essential if you want to ensure a carefree break. Claire Shoesmithreports.
Your main concerns when booking a holiday are most likely to be how hot it is going to be, how far you have to walk to the beach and the proximity of your accommodation to the local bars and restaurants.
Travel insurance is unlikely to feature highly on the list.
However, this doesn't mean it isn't important. In fact, as anyone who has been involved in an accident or been taken ill while on holiday will tell you, travel insurance is essential should things not work out exactly as you had planned.
After all, you never know what is going to happen round the corner and the further away from home you are, the more concerning any unwanted incident can be.
There are several different types of travel insurance offered by a variety of different institutions and it's important to decide which policy best suits your needs.
Here are a few things to bear in mind when choosing travel insurance:
Do I have to get travel insurance?
No, you don't.
It is not a legal requirement to have insurance before you travel - in fact, according to a survey conducted last year by VHI Healthcare, about half the Irish population travel overseas without adequate insurance. However, if you're booking a holiday through a tour operator they will often require you to have insurance and if you don't they will request you to buy it from them.
If you are booking your trip yourself, it is advisable to take out an adequate policy.
What level of cover do I need?
As well as medical treatment and cover in the case of an accident, it is also important to ensure your policy covers unexpected losses such as cancelled flights or stolen cash, cards, passports or luggage.
It is also important to check that your policy covers you to travel home in an emergency and, if necessary, to curtail your trip in the event of someone at home becoming ill.
What if I already have private medical cover?
It is worth noting that your private health insurance may well cover you for foreign travel, as do some credit cards, but it is important to check the small print as you may need to take out additional cover, particularly if you are planning on making an extended trip or taking part in a particularly adventurous activity.
What if I am travelling more than once during the year?
It may be worthwhile taking out what is known as a multi-trip policy.
This is more expensive than a single policy, but cheaper than taking out several single policies. However, it is worth checking that there is no limit to the amount of days you are away travelling.
According to Declan Moran, director of marketing and business development at VHI Healthcare, one thing that many people don't think about is the importance of taking out an insurance policy as soon as they book their holiday.
This way, should you need to cancel or postpone your trip, you are covered by your insurance policy.
"We would also urge the public to ensure they renew their policy when it expires and don't wait until the last minute to make sure you are covered in the event of cancellation or curtailment," says Moran, adding that research by VHI shows that 60 per cent of the claims made by VHI policyholders were for that very reason.
Another thing that is worth noting, and that according to Moran is often overlooked, is whether a policy covers you for pre-existing conditions.
He says many products don't include such ailments and, as a result, many holidaymakers are at risk of being caught out should a recurring health problem flare up while away from home.
Whatever your situation, one thing of which there is no question is that it's worth checking around for prices. These can vary greatly as can the service you get should you need to use the policy.
Moreover, some level of cover can also be obtained from the European Health Insurance Card scheme, formerly known as the E111, which entitles citizens of the European Union to basic urgent healthcare in all other EU states.
To avail of this service you must fill out the necessary forms, which can be obtained at your local Health Service Executive office or be downloaded at www.ehic.ie/onlineapp.htm, prior to travelling.
The system was updated in 2004, so anyone with an old-style E111 form must apply for a new card.
To obtain healthcare with the card, you simply need to go to the nearest public system doctor or public hospital and present your card. Be aware that a nominal fee may apply in some countries.
Also, the European Health Insurance Card entitles you only to treatment in a public hospital and should you need to attend a private clinic your treatment won't be covered.
More information about the card can be found at www.ehic.ie/apply.htm.
Remember, every individual member of the family or group requires his or her own card.
Unlike the European card, a standard travel insurance policy will usually cover you for medication and other expenses, hospital benefit and personal accident as well as the stress-inducing possibilities of lost luggage or missing passports. It will also cover repatriation, unlike the card.
However, it's also important to note that even standard policies often require you to pay something towards the overall cost.