With lots of people packing their bags for the half-term holidays or thinking ahead to summer, it's important not to forget about travel insurance.
Getting insurance can save a lot of headaches if you have a medical emergency or you have something stolen on your trip. And many policies now offer cover for Covid-related medical expenses, though it's still important to understand the other terms and conditions which could cause problems when claiming on your policy if ignore.
Brean Horne, a personal finance expert at comparison site NerdWallet, has shared five of the most common mistakes that people make when choosing their travel insurance, reports Wales Online.
Read more: Flight delays and cancellation rules: Compensation and refunds airlines have to give you
Purchasing an annual policy for a long-haul trip
Those who go on several trips a year will purchase an annual policy, but many will be unaware that these policies only offer cover for up to 31 days per trip. If you're travelling abroad for longer than 31 days, long stay travel insurance offers cover that protects trip of up to 18 months and may be more suitable.
Those who are going on backpacking trips can also get specialised backpacking insurance for longer trips.
Not declaring medical conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions could increase they cost of your travel insurance policy, but it's vital to declare them when you apply. Failure to do so could result in your travel policy being invalidated.
Should that happen, you'll have to cover the cost of issues during the trip yourself, which can end up into five figures are more when it comes to medical expenses in particular. While it may sound tempting to leave out medical conditions to get the cost of your policy down, you could end up with a much larger bill in the long run, alongside other serious consequences.
Not taking out gadget cover add-ons
Some companies will cover laptops, smartphones, cameras and similar items automatically, though this is only up to a certain cost. It's worth considering paying an additional premium for individual items - especially if they're worth a lot more than the cost of the insurance.
Not keeping within policy limits
Insurance policies tend to specify limits when it comes to sports cover, and the majority of travel policies cover diving, cycling, kayaking and other water sports. Winter sports usually require an additional premium though, with only some covering them automatically.
Another common travel insurance mistake is to think your insurance will cover hiking at any altitude. It's important to check the small print, especially if you're travelling to the likes of the Andes or the Himalayas, as many standard travel insurance policies specify an altitude limit of 2,000 metres above sea level for hiking - don't worry, you will be absolutely fine in Northumberland!
Getting your details wrong on the forms
Getting your details wrong when booking a flight can cause problems (usually a fee to correct them) and travel insurance is no different. Providing the correct details when obtaining your quote is essential.
Simple mistakes, even a typing error on your name, date of birth, or travel dates could see your insurance cover being invalidated. Always triple check your personal information before you purchase your policy!
Have you made any of these common travel insurance mistakes? Let us know!
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