With many students jetting off on a much anticipated gap year adventure, ‘gappers' are should consider their insurance needs and avoid travelling uninsured, urges
moneysupermarket.com.
The cost of a gap year abroad can soon add up, and while travel insurance might not be at the forefront of gapper's minds, research from the comparison site reveals comprehensive cover for the entire duration of your trip doesn't need to break the bank.
For example, annual cover that includes adventurous activities such as parachuting, scuba diving and mountaineering, costs just £110 with travel insurance provider Infinity.
But it's not just students considering taking time out to travel - adults may also be thinking about taking a well-earned career break and jetting off to explore the wider World.
According to Gap Year for Grownups, there has been a 300 per cent increase in the number of older people booking a gap year since 2005, with 81 per cent of British adults opting for longer, more intrepid getaways.
With policies ranging widely,
moneysupermarket.com says it's crucial ‘gappers' check the small print to ensure they are covered for different types of work or extreme sports if they are planning to do them.
"Heading abroad on a gap year is a very exciting time for many travellers, however it is important to ensure you are fully prepared before you go,” said Bob Atkinson, travel expert at
moneysupermarket.com.
“Forsaking travel insurance for your trip could turn out to be a costly choice to make and not one I would recommend.
“I would urge gapers to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their trip to ensure they are covered. In addition, choosing the correct policy for your needs is crucial, and consideration must be taken if you are planning to work abroad or partake in extreme sports, especially as exclusions and restrictions can be commonplace.
“It is also important to check you are fully covered for the entire duration of your trip - standard annual travel insurance policies will only cover you to be away for a limited period of time, which is normally around 28 days, so it's vital to ensure you have a specific gap year policy in place.
"It is also essential to ensure your cover includes the value of the possessions you intend to take with you as well as enough medical expenses cover. Medical treatment abroad and potential repatriation costs can run into the thousands of pounds, and could leave you with a hefty bill if you don't have enough cover - the risk simply isn't worth it.
“I urge everyone to shop around for the best policy and level of cover to suit your circumstances."
moneysupermarket.com recommends at least the following level of cover:
• £2m for medical expenses
• £1m personal liability
• £3,000 cancellation - or enough to cover the total cost of your holiday
• £1,500 baggage
• £250 for cash
• Policy excesses under £100
• Cover for scheduled airline failure and end supplier failure is desirable
• Delay cover (e.g. £20/hour for first 12 hours).
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