Irish holidaymakers set for foreign shores this summer are being urged to check they are covered for any disruption which strikes or protests may cause to their trips as a wave of industrial and civil unrest spreads across Europe and further afield.
Experts at Peopl Insurance (Peopl.ie ), a nationwide provider of travel insurance, are also advising those travelling overseas this summer to check and understand the conditions and limitations of their travel insurance policies around industrial action, civil unrest, extreme weather events and lengthy airport security queues.
Peopl Insurance is also urging people to check their cover, if any, for protests and civil unrest, as well as extreme weather events.
The Top Ten Travel Insurance Tips which Peopl is urging holidaymakers to heed this summer include:
Prepare: Take your cover out at the time of booking the holiday. A huge percentage of travel insurance claims are made for cancellation in advance of the departure date.
Buy an excess waiver if you have the option to do so as this will prevent you from being hit with an excess (the first part of a claim you must pay for yourself ) should you make a claim.
Mind your possessions: if you are careless with your personal possessions, you might find it less straightforward should you need to make a claim. For example, don’t leave your wallet on your sun lounger at the beach while you go off for a stroll.
Check if your travel insurance will cover you if you miss your flight as a result of lengthy airport security queues and you end up cancelling your holiday as a result. Travel insurance policies often don’t offer cover here.
Be aware that you will usually not be covered for any claim which arises as a result of a strike, industrial action or extreme weather event which began (or, in the case of strikes or industrial action, for which an officially stated intent had been given ) on or prior to the date of booking your trip and/or travel insurance.
Cruise Cover: Standard travel insurance might not cover you in full if going on a cruise.
Check the minimum amount of time that your trip must be delayed by for you to be eligible for cover for travel delay (typically at least 12 hours ) or holiday abandonment (typically at least 24 hours ) as a result of strikes. This will be outlined in your travel insurance policy.
Always check the exclusions in your policy as cover which you expect is included may well not be. Know the exceptions to any exclusions on your policy too.
Those embarking on long haul trips should be sure to have good cover for missed connecting flights as well as for any medical expenses incurred if they become sick or injured abroad. The bill for medical expenses in some international countries could run into the tens of thousands and you will not be able to rely on the European Health Insurance Card if travelling outside the EU or European Economic Area.
Follow correct claims procedure – always notify your insurer as soon as possible in the event of a claim. You will be expected to take certain steps in some cases – for example, if your possessions are stolen, then you should report it to the local police, or if you have to cancel a trip due to ill health, then a medical report might be necessary.
