Nowadays people are much more likely to book their holiday online as opposed to with a travel agent. This growing trend is to use a DIY approach, by booking accommodation, flights and insurance separately to cut costs. But how safe is it, in terms of insurance, to sculpt your own DIY holiday?
If you book your holiday with a travel agent, they will almost certainly offer you travel insurance for the whole package, which is convenient but often a lot more expensive. Booking with another provider is sure to be cheaper. What most people do not realise is that standard travel insurance policies were designed to be used with package holidays and include several flaws when concerning DIY holidays. An example would be that if you missed your flight due to transport issues, and subsequently missed time already booked in your accommodation, a standard policy will not cover you for any additional costs, including the price of a later flight, as it would if you would have booked a package holiday. There is specialised cover for DIY holidays, though it will be more expensive (especially at this time, as booking with smaller airline companies at present is particularly risky).
If you do need to claim on your travel insurance, it is important that you are organised and prepared. There are several things you can do to ensure that your claim will run as smoothly as possible:
1. Keep your receipts. The more the better. For example, if your baggage is lost, keep receipts of any clothes, toiletries and anything else you would have bought as a result. This will prove to the insurer how much this has cost you, and you are more likely to be reimbursed the full amount. Also keep the receipts of any accommodation costs you might incurred as a result of a missed or cancelled flight.
2. Get proof that your flight was cancelled or delayed to show to your insurer. If your flight is cancelled for reasons out of your control, ask the airline to provide you with evidence so you can claim for any inconvenience to your wallet from your insurer.
3. If any of your possessions or money is stolen, make sure you report it to the local police immediately, as if you don't report the incident within 24 hours your insurer will probably by reluctant to pay out. Ask the police for a letter to prove that you have actually reported it, which is essential for claiming back money for stolen goods
4. If your insurance provider rejects your claim, you can complain for free to the Financial Ombudsman.
Always remember to read the small print on your travel insurance policy. It is best to compare travel insurance online to see what each provider offers, which will help to find the best deal for you. Buying holiday insurance is as important as buying flights, so make sure you check that your policy holds everything that you might need for your trip.
If you book your holiday with a travel agent, they will almost certainly offer you travel insurance for the whole package, which is convenient but often a lot more expensive. Booking with another provider is sure to be cheaper. What most people do not realise is that standard travel insurance policies were designed to be used with package holidays and include several flaws when concerning DIY holidays. An example would be that if you missed your flight due to transport issues, and subsequently missed time already booked in your accommodation, a standard policy will not cover you for any additional costs, including the price of a later flight, as it would if you would have booked a package holiday. There is specialised cover for DIY holidays, though it will be more expensive (especially at this time, as booking with smaller airline companies at present is particularly risky).
If you do need to claim on your travel insurance, it is important that you are organised and prepared. There are several things you can do to ensure that your claim will run as smoothly as possible:
1. Keep your receipts. The more the better. For example, if your baggage is lost, keep receipts of any clothes, toiletries and anything else you would have bought as a result. This will prove to the insurer how much this has cost you, and you are more likely to be reimbursed the full amount. Also keep the receipts of any accommodation costs you might incurred as a result of a missed or cancelled flight.
2. Get proof that your flight was cancelled or delayed to show to your insurer. If your flight is cancelled for reasons out of your control, ask the airline to provide you with evidence so you can claim for any inconvenience to your wallet from your insurer.
3. If any of your possessions or money is stolen, make sure you report it to the local police immediately, as if you don't report the incident within 24 hours your insurer will probably by reluctant to pay out. Ask the police for a letter to prove that you have actually reported it, which is essential for claiming back money for stolen goods
4. If your insurance provider rejects your claim, you can complain for free to the Financial Ombudsman.
Always remember to read the small print on your travel insurance policy. It is best to compare travel insurance online to see what each provider offers, which will help to find the best deal for you. Buying holiday insurance is as important as buying flights, so make sure you check that your policy holds everything that you might need for your trip.
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