Say 'Hasta Leugo' to Travel Insurance Worries

Most UK holidaymakers don't know their policies from their (broken) elbow!

With more than 58 million UK residents travelled abroad during 2009 , travel insurance is becoming one of the key items purchased for a holiday way before the sun tan lotion is packed and currency is exchanged.

But who actually knows what their insurance covers them for, how to guarantee the best possible chance at making a successful claim and when to do it?

With more types of insurance policies available than ever, it is vital that holidaymakers know what they have paid for and what they may have to pay out of their own pocket without the appropriate cover.

In fact, according to a Post Office Travel Insurance Survey, at the end of the summer season last year more than a quarter of UK sun seekers decided to skip the cover altogether and as a result lost a total of £90million.

According to specialists Lemon&Co Solicitors, people must take part responsibility in protecting themselves before – both ahead of departure and also during the holiday.

Tim Dixon, Head of Personal Injury at Lemon&Co said: "While most holidays are fun-filled and happy experiences, it's vital that people understand their travel insurance policies.

"Whether it's the nuisance of lost luggage or, more seriously, falling ill or being the victim of a crime, there are things you can do to limit the financial damage these events can wreak.

"For example, if you have an injury which is directly caused by a tour operator, have you ensured you have gained enough evidence to establish liability to satisfy your policy holder? If you come down with food poisoning at a hotel or suffer an injury on an organised hotel excursion, will you need to get a doctor's verification?

"It's not about turning a holiday into an admin nightmare, but when you think that according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office you could end up paying up to £4,000 just to have a doctor escort you back from Spain, the costs soon mount up.”

Holidaymakers Insurance Checklist

Before You Go

Know what you are covered for – request a copy of your policy and call your provider to go through any queries you have
In particular look at the emergency part of the cover – costs for this are particularly high if not insured
Know who is responsible for what – for example, check if your holiday excursions are being offered by the tour operator itself or by a local provider
Check your destination on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website www.fco.gov.uk/en for obvious health and safety risks such as extreme weather conditions
Keep up-to-date insurance numbers and contact details handy along with your passport
Have contact numbers of your family and friends you are with and an emergency number at home
Research local laws and customs

If an Incident Occurs

Establish if there is another party involved and secure their contact details
Try and secure as much evidence around what happened as possible – eye witness statements, photographs, doctor’s statements
Contact your insurance provider
In extreme cases contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

April 2009

This article gives a general view and cannot be relied upon in any particular case. The need for specific legal advice must always be considered. For further information, contact Timothy Dixon on timothy.dixon@lemon-co.co.uk, or alternatively, please visit our website at www.lemon-co.co.uk for articles on other legal issues or contact us on 01793 527141.

If you would like to receive more information from Lemon&Co and be kept up to date with legal and statutory updates please register here.

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