Studies reveal that one in four people will travel without insurance this year, and one in ten will end up needing hospital treatment when abroad. Don’t let this be you in 2020, says Jim Purkiss, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Islands Insurance.
‘So, what’s your New Year resolution? Are you joining the legions of carb-less dieters or alco-free drinkers? Perhaps you’re going to renew that gym membership, take up a martial art or maybe just art. The point is, it’s the time of year when we plan ahead and dream of becoming a better or just different person in 12 months’ time.
‘According to research, exercising, losing weight and learning a new skill or hobby are all top new year resolutions, but so is living life to the fullest and travelling more. You might say these two go hand-in-hand because travelling can be one of the most fulfilling experiences. Of course, it can also be one of the most frustrating if things don’t go according to plan.
‘As part of your travel planning for 2020, make taking out travel insurance one of your new year resolutions. That might sound a bit boring, but nothing spoils a great adventure more than an issue that costs you money, or worse.
‘In the excitement of researching and booking travel, accommodation and excursions we can often overlook the very simple act of taking out insurance to protect us and our loved ones while we are away.’
One in 10 people need hospital treatment abroad
‘Studies reveal that one in four of us will travel without insurance this year, and one in ten people end up needing hospital treatment when abroad.
‘When you bear in mind that the average medical bill while on holiday can run into thousands of pounds – especially in countries without universal healthcare such as the US – it does seem odd to me that people are willing to “risk it.”
‘And of course, you don’t have to be taken ill or suffer an accident to benefit from a little forward thinking. Good quality insurance can cover everything from cancelled flights and lost luggage to natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions or wildfires.’
Understanding your policy
‘So buying travel insurance is common sense, but I should add it is just as important to check the policy you are buying is the best policy for you and your trip, and to speak to a broker who will not only explain what is covered, but will listen to your plans and understand what you really need.
‘There are cases where insurers have denied a claim because it has fallen outside the terms of the policy. For example, the case last year where a person had a £300,000 claim for medical treatment while in Mexico denied because they had failed to disclose their reliance on an inhaler.
‘A small number of reputable insurers and brokers such as Islands are now offering tailored and flexible packages that cover your needs as snugly as a hand-crafted leather glove. For example, we offer our clients the option of single trip or annual coverage depending on how much travelling they are likely to do, and a range of policies that can be precisely scripted to suit your specific travel arrangements and personal needs.’
Insurance claims on the rise
‘In 2017 an industry survey revealed that insurance claims for travel-related issues rose to 30,000: that’s a claim every minute and was largely attributed to the rise in flight cancellations – either from airline problems or extreme weather. And yet there are still so many people who think it cannot happen to them.
At Islands, our wish for 2020 is that all our clients enjoy stress-free and exciting travel this year – but as you never know what this unpredictable world or Mother Nature has in store for us, we would urge everyone to add “buy travel insurance” to their list of new year resolutions.
Find out how Islands can help you and visit www.islands.je.
