St Jude’s storm in the UK in 2013 has highlighted the importance of travel insurance that covers unexpected weather events.
Cancelled trains and flights left thousands stranded, and if they weren’t adequately insured, out of pocket too.
As in previous winters, there’s likely to be more disruption through storms, flooding and snow over the coming months, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t get caught out.
If your flight or train is cancelled, you’re likely to get reimbursed for your ticket by the rail company or airline, but what about your accommodation or any tours and activities you’ve booked?
Many travel insurance providers don’t cover “acts of nature” or “god”, as extreme weather events are often referred to. So it helps to know what to look out for.
Here are 6 tips that will help you pick the right travel insurance:
1. Use a price comparison website – not just to check the cheapest offer – but to compare several different policies. Look out for the main points as below and choose the one that covers you for as many events as possible. The Moneysavingexpert.com offers a ‘quick best buy’.
2. Read carefully through the insurer’s definition of “weather related events” and “acts of god” or any other terms they might use. Some insurance companies for example include volcanic ash clouds as a “weather related” event, others don’t.
3. Check the excess – you may have to cover the first £100 or £200 of a potential claim. Are you happy with the excess amount on your policy?
4. Are you covered for UK holidays? We often only think about travel insurance when we plan to go abroad. But if you’ve booked for a yoga weekend retreat and the trains aren’t running to get you there, you won’t get your money back without insurance.
5. Ensure your travel insurance is comprehensive. According to Moneywise UK: “A good travel insurance policy should have at least £2 million medical expenses cover, £1 million personal liability cover, £3,000 cancellation cover, £1,500 baggage cover and £250 cover for cash, as well as cover for delays and scheduled airline and end supplier (such as hotels) failure.”
6. Finally, choose a trusted insurer. There’s a lot of choice and new companies pop up all the time. Have a quick look at reviews from previous customers to make sure you pick a travel insurance that actually pays for justified claims. Surely that’s the whole point!
For further tips you can also check our previous blog on finding good and cheap health travel insurance for your retreat.
Safe journey!
Updated 22 July 2018.
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