Many people worry if their insurance will cover them while they're on holiday.
There is, of course, something called 'holiday insurance'. That typically covers you for things like your luggage being stolen, flight being delayed and so on. However, the area of personal accident and illness is a complex one that's worthy of a bit more thought.
Why Might Injury be Different?
If you have a personal injury, accident and sickness insurance policy, it may cover you against a variety of potential misfortunes. Some policies might pay a lump sum if you're unlucky or some a replacement income for a specified period of time.
There are though, often a few situations that such policies might not cover including:
- Injuries sustained in criminal activities
- Those associated with engaging in dangerous activities (examples might include skydiving, sub-aqua sports and rock climbing etc.)
- Injury on holiday.
Let's disregard the first one on the assumption you're a law-abiding citizen! The next two though are more problematic.
Holiday Exclusions
Nobody can tell you whether or not any existing 'domestic' personal accident insurance will cover you while you're travelling on holiday (overseas or domestic).
Only your insurance provider can do so and they'll use your policy for that purpose. So, read it carefully and look out for things such as:
- Exclusions about injuries / sickness while you're on holiday
- Limitations as to the number of days you can be away and still be under cover
- Exclusions for overseas travel
These things may or may not be an issue in the case of your policy but check to be sure.
The participation in dangerous sports isn't, in itself, just an issue while you're away on holiday. Some of the above activities might be excluded under ALL situations even when you are at home. However, for most of us, our annual holiday might be the only time in the year we engage in such things and that's why such exclusions are an issue to consider when going away.
What to do
The first thing you need to do and quickly, is to read your insurance policies to see how your forthcoming holiday might affect them and you. It may be there's no issue at all and if so, that's great!
If not though, you have three options:
1. You can call your existing insurance provider to see what, if anything, they can propose. They may have a short-term adjustment they can make to your cover for the payment of a modest sum
2. Some providers of luxury holiday accommodation, might be able to offer you help with specific holiday insurance designed to bridge these gaps and provide a whole range of other protection too
3. You can do nothing and just hope that your luck holds (not recommended!).
Summary
The worst thing you can do is simply to assume that it'll never happen to you.
Sadly, accidents and injuries DO happen sometimes on holiday. If they do, having good insurance in place might help you avoid some potentially very painful financial effects.
Source by Eby M