If you’ve just returned from or are just about to go on a holiday, then you might find this article on travel insurance claims on The Telegraph website an interesting read.
It is estimated that about 5% of policyholders will make a claim on their insurance, and although many people think that travel insurance will cover them for just about anything that happens abroad, the truth is that most policies are primarily used to provide cancellation cover and medical expenses.
As ever, it’s a matter of checking the small print when buying cover to see exactly what you are able to claim for:
When reading the policy pay particular attention to the small print and details regarding excesses, cover for expensive items, your “duty of care” and pre-existing medical conditions. These, according to the FOS, are where disputes most frequently arise.
As for personal possessions, policies are unlikely to pay out for items that are over £200 – items worth more than this should be insured seperately. Insurers may also require proof of purchase for your items (why not keep a photographic inventory of your items and receipts?).