When booking your next holiday, remember to make wise decisions about how and where you spend your money. Regardless of the destination, your travel fears or the type of traveller you are, we recommend choosing a reliable and reputable travel supplier and travel insurance provider. Ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of your package and your travel insurance policy.
When it comes to your insurance plan, knowing what you are covered for is essential. Choosing your cover might seem complex and understanding the terms and conditions of cover might take the fun out of your holiday planning. However, it is essential to read through your benefits, know your cover and understand what will be required of you along the way. Ignoring this vital step could have unintended and unfortunate consequences in the event of a claim. While shopping around for a bargain is necessary throughout your holiday, don’t turn your back on quality cover when it comes to protecting yourself and your family.
When to buy
As you begin planning for your dream holiday with the assistance of your travel agent, always ensure that you don’t wait too long to buy your cover to get the most out of your travel insurance.
Bryte Travel Insurance always recommends buying your insurance as soon as you have made payment against your holiday booking. By waiting to purchase your cover, you run the risk of losing money when it comes to cancelling your holiday plans. The price tag can grow when you add the costs involved – travel, accommodation, meals, events and excursions. So make sure your cancellation cover is sufficient for your non-refundable unused benefits.
Buying your insurance policy early has advantages. Bryte Travel Insurance offers travellers optional additional cover for cancelling or cutting an insured journey short for an unnamed reason – T&Cs apply.
Understanding your cover
Many travellers have the misconception that once they have bought a policy, it covers all travel-related risks and eventualities. Finding out that this is not true when you need it, can be an unpleasant experience. As with all types of insurance, there are limits to what is covered and how the cover responds.
The schedule of benefits will show the benefits that you qualify for, the limits that apply and the amount you must pay towards your claim, if applicable. Each benefit is numbered, and you will find the information in the policy wording, under the same number. The policy wording provides details of several sections of the cover, but you may not have cover under every section listed. If the benefits or benefit limits do not meet your travel needs, keep looking. Make sure you compare plans to find the one suitable for you.
The policy wording also includes general conditions and general exclusions (i.e., what is not covered) that apply to all plans and benefits. Each section outlines what is covered, the benefit’s specific conditions and specific exclusions. All these sections need to be read together so that you fully understand how the policy will or won’t respond.
Read your documents carefully and make sure all your needs are met. Ask questions about your cover, as our team is here to help you.
So what is comprehensive cover and does it mean you are covered for “everything”?
Unfortunately, they cannot provide cover for every eventuality, but based on experience, plans are developed with the most commonly used benefits in mind. Looking at travel trends, claims and how the policy responds, they do their best to offer the most and best benefits.
When selecting your insurance plan consider the following:
How much do I stand to lose if I have to cancel?
Am I carrying valuables such as jewellery, and luxury personal items that are best covered under a separate insurance policy?
Do I have specific medical requirements like pre-existing conditions?
Are their specific activities associated with the destination that I want to experience and does the policy offer cover for this activity? E.g. skiing in the Alps, snorkelling in Mauritius, running with the bulls in Spain, riding in a planned multi-day, long-distance expedition experience in Europe, etc.
The bottom line
Travel insurance is and can be extremely helpful in many situations – from receiving assistance in your home language when you are stranded abroad; to reimbursing for new toiletries while your luggage is delayed or lost; refunding the non-refundable part of your unused trip due to illness or death or assisting in case of a medical emergency.
But remember, some situations and circumstances aren’t covered – or rather are only covered by certain plans. Do your homework, read your plan thoroughly before you buy it and again before you travel.
Know what you are covered for. Understand what is not covered. And always exercise caution when travelling.
Contact your Club Travel agent to arrange your travel insurance today!