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Avoid being ripped off for travel insurance

Tue, 02 May 2006

For those who are likely to be going away for their summer holidays, don’t forget to get your travel insurance. The only thing is to be to careful about who is providing it.

An independent market research company, Defacto, published a report last year highlighting the fact that travel agents and tour operators charge much more for travel insurance . The person who ends up out of pocket is the consumer, as much by £175 million a year.

More people are cottoning on to the fact that they can get cheaper deals elsewhere, which has resulted in people shopping around for a better deal. Supermarkets in particular have seen a great opportunity to exploit this area of the insurance industry by offering value for money cover. However many will still choose to pay inflated travel insurance prices from tour operators . The difference can be as much as double in some cases.

For those who go abroad a few times a year (this includes the long weekends away) it is better value for money to buy an annual policy . This will be cheaper than buying individual policies for each trip .

Buying an annual policy may seem expensive at the time but it works out cheaper in the long run especially if you are travelling around Europe without any dangerous activities like skiing .

To ensure health treatment in EU countries travellers need to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC replaces the old Form E111 which was available from the Post Office . Travel insurance companies must now have provisions for the EHIC.

The EHIC covers medical treatment which is necessary because of illness or an accident and ensures treatment on the same basis as a resident of the country you are visiting who has insurance. There is also cover for treatment should you have a chronic disease or a pre-existing illness.
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