Eight questions to ask yourself about travel insurance

2. Does your insurer provide 24-hour assistance? Thisis of the utmost importance in emergency situations. For example, someinsurers need to be informed before medical procedures are started ifthey are to be paid for. You don’t want to be left waiting in pain.

3. How will you be reimbursed for cancellations, ifat all? There are thousands of reasons why you may cancel a trip, butnot all of these will be considered legitimate reasons by you insurer.Before doing anything definitely check what the insurer’s stance is onthis issue. It is also worth checking what provisions are in placeshould the tour operator or airline cancel your trip.

4. Does the cancellation cover start immediately? Youneed to know if the insurer will find alternative accommodation whilstyou wait, for new flights perhaps, or if you will have to pay foralternative accommodation yourself and be reimbursed later on. Therecent Bangkok airport protests are a prime example of this covercoming in handy.

5. Are adventurous sports covered, and if so whichones aren’t? Standard travel insurance policies do not automaticallycover extreme sports, and even some you’d think might be fine actuallyaren’t. The level of risk is key. Things such as paragliding or skiingwon’t be covered as standard, but things like swimming should be fine.

6. Will your insurer protect you against personalliability? Accidents can happen anywhere and sometimes they might beyour fault. Causing a traffic accident is a common example, and despitethe fact that you meant no harm if someone has become injured you maybe sued. Personal liability cover can be invaluable and take the stressout of a possible holiday-ruining situation.

7. Does the policy offer reimbursement of legalexpenses incurred if a damage claim needs to be made? This is theflipside of the previous question. If someone does you an injury, sayby careless driving, you are entitled to claim damages. But lawyers areexpensive and if you cannot afford legal representation you may comeaway from court with nothing.

8. Are the limits for stolen or damaged itemssufficient? Depending on where you’re going and for how long, you mayhave possessions the value of which exceeds the limits of yourinsurance policy. Ski trips are a notable example of having valuableequipment. You can always up your cover limits if you’re going to needthe extra assurance, but make sure you do it before all your stuff getsstolen.