Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Holidays can be dangerous occasions - especially abroad. If someone falls ill it is much more difficult than it would be at home to cope with the situation. Medical treatment is expensive.

Did you realise that up to half the price of the policy you buy from a travel agent goes to them as commission? Buying online, you and your family can save many hundreds of dollars which are better spent at the beach. There is no magic here, the quality of the products are the best in the market and all you are doing is using the efficiency of the internet to cut out the middle man.

Most Travel Insurers' have policies with a wide variety of conditions, exclusions, and levels of cover, so before you choose your travel insurance ask yourself the following:

A backpacker going overseas for a year or more has very different insurance needs from a family holiday to Italy for 3weeks where you need a much more comprehensive package of benefits such as cancellation and delay cover.

Medical and legal costs as well as the quality of medical services, can vary widely between countries with the USA, Canada and Japan typically being the most expensive. If you required emergency medical evacuation what would the likely costs be?

Older travellers may simply be required to pay more and might be required to complete a medical report for certain pre-existing conditions [but they do get cheaper car insurance].

Pre-existing medical conditions are usually defined as 'Any medical or dental condition for which you've received treatment or advice' within a specified time prior to the policy being issued. Some minor medical conditions are often covered free of charge but other, more serious conditions, may be covered but you will probably have to apply and pay an additional premium. If you are pregnant, cover is limited to less than 26 weeks into the pregnancy.

Will you be taking a laptop or expensive camera or will you be travelling light? Will you be skiing, canyoning or bungee-jumping? Almost all policies exclude mountaineering using ropes and professional sports. Check the policy wording in detail if your trip is 'unconventional' and always ask before you buy if you still aren't sure.

Trying to compare travel insurance policies can be a daunting task. There's a huge range of companies trying to sell you a huge range of different products. It can be tempting to just say 'yes' to the travel agent and buy the ludicrously expensive insurance policy they keep trying to flog you.

A number of web sites let you compare the best travel insurance deals and find a policy that gives you just what you want at the lowest possible price.

Not everyone needs the same level of cover. Backpackers, business travellers and families on their annual holidays all have different needs and different budgets. So, to save you some time looking for them, here are the some of the major brands that you might like to get comparative quotes from.

Help Me Get it Right

  About the Author