Having the right travel insurance policy in place is more important now than ever. In an ideal world, there would be no floods, hurricanes or ash clouds, we would never have to worry about accidents or illness, aircraft would depart and arrive on time, and our luggage would never go missing.
The truth is that we live in a spontaneous world where all these things can and do occur, so for peace of mind on your travels, never leave the house without comprehensive travel insurance.
Opting for additional protection is never a bad idea (Image: Getty)
The prospect of an overseas holiday is exciting and rewarding, but given the costs of accommodation, airfares and visas, it is easy to see why many travellers conveniently ignore or forget about the need for travel insurance to avoid unexpected costs associated with illness, injury or lost goods.
Dedicated travel insurance covers travellers for a host of possibilities, from simple things like a cancelled flight through to genuine medical emergencies. A good policy will also cover less financially crippling circumstances, such as lost or stolen luggage, travel documentation and cash.
For this reason, it is an additional item that should be part of every budget when planning your trip.
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Natural disasters can strike anywhere around the world (Image: Getty)
It is important that travellers consider their insurance options and check the fine print when they book to avoid losing deposits or in some cases the full amount paid.
Specific clauses to look for include age limits and restrictions, cover for pre-existing medical conditions, provision for repatriation in the case of bereavement, and restricted luggage cover.
Flight Centre advises all travellers to consider the following checklist before they sign up to a travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance checklist:
- Do you have unlimited cover where it counts, i.e. medical, hospital, ambulance, emergency dental?
- Are you covered for emergency repatriation?
- What excess fees are involved?
- Do you have 24-hour emergency assistance?
- Are your travel documents, credit cards and cash covered by the policy?
Visit your local Flight Centre store or call 131 600 for more advice and the latest deals on travel insurance.
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