The message is simple fellow globetrotters! Look after your stuff, know what you should have in place to travel legally, and don’t get so drunk you scupper your own plans. Travel insurers aren’t here to pick up the pieces if you’ve not done your homework. Read on to find out which things could invalidate a claim if you need to make one.
Koh Tao Thailand by Nick Kenrick CC BY 2.0
1. Being drunk or under the influence
Yep, being on holiday to many (Brits in particular) means starting the holiday with a Weatherspoons pint in the airport. Fun fact though, if anything that requires filing a claim while you are travelling happens while you are under the influence of drink or illegal drugs is likely to be rejected.
2. Undeclared medical conditions
Believe it or not this is the main reason claims get rejected in the UK, especially if the need to claim is related to the medical condition you have not declared! Disclosing pre-existing conditions doesn’t necessarily increase your premium, but it will ensure you have the cover required if you need it. Not declaring can lead to costly medical bills abroad.
At worldwideinsure.com we specialise in providing travel insurance for people with a wide range of existing medical conditions including diabetes, heart conditions, asthma, cancer, renal failure. A chat with our team will ensure you have the right cover to meet your needs without breaking the bank.
3. Not taking care of your “stuff”
Also known as lack of reasonable care of possessions. If you find that your belongings are stolen because you “put them down somewhere” and they were gone when you got back, well that’s on you. This includes leaving your phone by the pool while you go for a dip. The message is clear – look after your stuff!
4. Not having the right vaccinations
This is a lesser known one, but underwriters like travellers to have taken all the precautions they can to not get ill while away. This includes being protected against a range of diseases and illnesses. Check the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice page before you leave – and remember, some vaccinations need to be had within a certain timeframe of travelling – so plan ahead.
5. Incorrect travel documents
This could be a passport that doesn’t have enough time left for the rules of travel to your destination, or it could be that you don’t have the right visa. Either way, the onus again is on you dear traveller to make sure you’ve done all you can to travel legally to your destinations.
6. Doing activities not covered by your insurance
If you plan to paraglide, heliski, or go deep diving in the Mariana Trench then you’ll probably think to let your Travel Insurance provider know that you are partaking in some risky activities that you might need cover for. The truth is, much more common activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking up high, and mountain biking might need to be added to your insurance policy. If something happens while you are doing an activity that isn’t automatically covered then you will be footing your own medical bills for sure.
At worldwideinsure.com we automatically cover a whole heap of activities but we also have a rather fabulous Wintersports Insurance add-on that covers all the extra-fun stuff that you might like to do while you are away. It covers non-wintersport activities too. Just give us a call before you travel, it’s really quick to set up!
7. Not filing an “incident” with local police
If you have had your belongings stolen or someone has caused you harm you will need a crime reference number or incident number to be able to file for a travel insurance claim. You can only do this if you report the incident to the local authority at the time – usually within 24 hours.
8. Having a poor paperwork trail
Making a claim requires proof of spending in the first place. Make sure you get and file all receipts and invoices related to travel including bookings for activities and tours while you are away. You must also keep all receipts related to any medical treatment you have had to pay for in advance, and any related costs.
9. Buying insurance too late
With most Travel Insurance providers this is an issue, but with worldwideinsure.com you can actually buy Travel Insurance If You Are Already Travelling. It’s not all about us though is it? The rule of thumb is get travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip, that way you are covered for anything that might happen which would stop you from travelling. Many other providers require that insurance is bought before you get through customs.
While it’s never too late to get travel insurance with us, remember that while you don’t have insurance, you aren’t covered if anything happens!
Call us on 01892833338 or visit our website to get a fuss-free quote to suit you!