Purchasing worldwide insurance cover? What to expect to be covered?

Lugh_Chronain

I'm considering a trip to Cuba with the adventure holiday company Exodus.

I'm also considering purchasing my own travel insurance cover independently of Exodus and have asked them what excactly I'd need covered if I were to.

Exodus have told me if I were to arrange my own, I'd need to ensure it covers me for repatriation and third party liability (no need for mountain rescue for their Cuban tours).

I've not purchased worldwide travel cover before and I'm a little anxious about what else might need covering prior to purchasing, so what I want to know is, if you were to purchase your own what would you anticipate purchasing other than repatriation and third party liability?

The only other things I can personally think of are theft of baggage and damage to cameras. These will obviously need covering though if anyone else can suggest anything other than baggage and cameras it would be very helpful if you could let me know.

I've found the following cover on MSE's Cheap Travel Insurance guide which appears to suite my age range. In regards to the third person liability, this is covered under the section Personal Liability of cover, however I've been told there are exclusions and limitations. What if any exclusions and limitations would you consider looking for?

For repatriation, this is covered under the Emergency Medical Expenses section of the policy.

I'm hoping this policy is OK but not 100% certain about what I'm purchasing.

https://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/b2c/documents/RTTHS40001_14.PDF

I'll have a read through MSE's Cheap Travel Insurance guide in the meantime as well.

Thanks in advance for all help received.

Gloomendoom

If you are doing an 'adventure' holiday, make sure that any activities that you are likely to participate in are covered by the policy. You can usually add in the more hazardous activities at extra cost.

mgdavid

like most things, with insurance you get what you pay for. Cheap policies will have more small print exclusions and 'gotcha' phrases. The payout limits will be less, the excesses will be higher. You need to look at the key features of the policy, compare with the competition, decide which risks are more important to you and go for the one that is the best fit for you personally. Wihtout knowing an awful lot more about you, your age, medical history, habits, traits, personality etc etc it is near-impossible to advise.

Lugh_Chronain

Thanks for your replies.

I'm intending on going on a what you might call a moderate tour with Exodus, not intending to do anything out of the ordinary, nothing to risky such as walking up mountains, or any type of mountaineering for that matter.

The most I'll be doing is perhaps going on long walks for example. I doubt I'll be doing anything other than what's included in the tours.

I've had a look at MSE's Cheap Travel Insurance guide and tried as best as I can to look into following, what's covered in holidaysafe's policy.

Catastrophe cover (cover limit with holidaysafe is £1,000 + £60 excess(no excess with their premium plus policy though will need to check the definitions as what I'm looking at doesn't actually say what's covered otherwise))
knock-on consequences (policy covers scheduled airline failure and if the airline goes under)
Is it a package or DIY trip? (Exodus will be a under package I guess though I'm intending going abroad on a couple of trips organised by myself (DIY))
hotel costs (no mention of this and if any type of accommodation is covered) I'll be staying in hostels when I head over to Portugal in the near future though the hostels won't be costing too much, so not too concerned about this with regards to my trip to Portugal though will need to find out more about this for the Cuban trip.
indirect loss
independent traveller
scheduled airline failure (If your scheduled airline stops trading £1,000 cover limit + £60 excess also If your departure is delayed by 12 hours or more £300 no excess) (Trip with Exodus costs over £700 + extras. I'm also hoping to book my own flights as well.)
cash (£250 + £60 excess)
pre-existing medical conditions (I don't think I need to worry about this as I'm not aware of any. I do have a problem with my thyroid though is very minor. If you need emergency medical attention cover limit is £10,000,000 + £60 excess, includes repatriation though not sure if this covers pre-existing medical conditions)
lost baggage (Luggage cover limit is £150)
stolen cameras (covered under electrical items and photographic equipment £300 no excess)

Will try and double check these with the insurer if possible.

My biggest concerns really I suppose are repatriation and third party liability, as in the worse case scenario I don't won't to get stuck out in Cuba if I have an accident or fall seriously Ill for example. Though will also need to consider any other eventualities as well of course as you can never be too sure.

Incidentally, I'm 46 years of age if that helps.

InsideInsurance

Always check that Cuba is covered as any american based companies, including their European subsidiaries, typically exclude Cuba due to trade restrictions etc (eg AIG)

Baggage cover tends to be fairly limited on most travel policies and also is not "new for old" so you only get secondhand valuations. You are often better off looking at your home insurance and checking you have personal possessions cover which is normally world wide.

The main two reasons for travel insurance is typically emergency medical cover and cancellations/ curtailment. 3rd party liabilities is rarely an issue given that by the time the claimant has instructed a solicitor etc then you are out of the country and international recovery action etc is rarely worth the effort

mgdavid

I'd be keen to ensure any policy I bought had hijack & kidnap cover...

InsideInsurance

mgdavid wrote: »

I'd be keen to ensure any policy I bought had hijack & kidnap cover...

Can you name a single provider that includes Kidnap & Randsom (as it is normally called)?

K&R is a fairly specialist product and I cannot say I've seen it bundled into a travel policy.

Lugh_Chronain

Hijack is covered up to £500 though can't see anything with regards to kidnap.

I'm emailing the insurer right now, will ask whether kidnap is covered, and yes I did think whether Cuba might be covered as you've pointed out InsideInsurance.

I'm also not sure if I have personal possessions cover with my home insurer though I could check.

Thanks again.

Lugh_Chronain

Incidentally, personal possessions cover is optional, I didn't take this out as I'm currently not in need of it.

luci

The "minor" thyroid problem must be declared to your insurer. If you don't they could void the policy for a totally unrelated claim due to non-disclosure.

Direct Travel (AIG) are one company who don't cover travel to Cuba.

There is some good advice HERE on what to look for when taking out travel insurance.