Going on holiday allows you to forget about your everyday responsibilities, leaving your worries at home while you relax on the beach or explore an exciting new city.
However, accidents can happen at any time and in any place. Suffering an injury or falling ill while abroad could be catastrophic and could fast turn your dream getaway into a complete nightmare. Can insurance help? We’ve listed some of the pros and cons of travel insurance to help you decide.
Pro: Save On Medical Expenses
Nobody wants to get hurt on holiday. Unfortunately, it is an all-too-real risk for many holidaymakers. Healthcare services in many foreign countries can be extremely expensive, not to mention tricky to navigate for a tourist who doesn’t speak the language. If you were to get injured or fall ill on holiday and require treatment, you could be faced with an enormous bill. This can be financially disastrous for the average person and lead to years of struggles with debt.
The very best way to protect yourself against this is by getting insured. A decent travel insurance provider should ideally cover you in case something goes wrong, but it is best to check the policy details to make sure you are getting the appropriate cover for your trip. Hopefully nothing will happen but having some kind of cover will make sure any emergencies are covered.
Con: It Costs Money
One of the things that can get costly, is having to book flights and accommodation, you’ll be visiting restaurants and tourist attractions, and you might even have to purchase a whole new wardrobe. For many people, cutting costs is essential, and is the only way they can take a holiday in an affordable way.
It can be easy to assume that holiday insurance isn’t totally necessary, and that the money could be better spent somewhere else. This couldn’t be further from the truth, holiday insurance is essential, it could see you make massive savings further down the line. What’s more, holiday insurance is more affordable than many people realise, so there’s no excuse for skipping it.
Pro: Cover for Pre-Existing Conditions
If you are one of the millions of people across the world living with a medical condition, you might be of the opinion that a holiday just isn’t for you. This simply isn’t the case, there’s nothing to say you can’t get out there and enjoy a holiday, it just means it takes a little bit more planning and preparation.
Travel insurance provider Staysure offers policies for people living with medical conditions. This can be the perfect solution and will allow you to enjoy your holiday worry-free, confident that you have a safety net should there be an emergency.
Con: It’s One More Thing to Remember
For some people, preparing to go on holiday can be stressful. There’s a lot of things to juggle at once, you’ll need to pack everything you need, ensure all bookings are correct, and plan your route to the airport so that you arrive there in plenty of time.
In amongst all this chaos, it can be easy to forget about something like holiday insurance. However, this is a big mistake, and it could end up costing you dearly later on. Best thing to do is to draw up a checklist with everything you need, including holiday insurance, and check this off as you go.
Pro: Covers Lost and Stolen Items
Losing your passport on holiday can be a disaster, and a costly one at that. Similarly, having your cash or valuables stolen can instantly derail your vacation, while also leaving you feeling upset and vulnerable. Unfortunately, tourists are often targeted by criminals, so it’s important you take steps to protect yourself. Holiday insurance can cover the cost of lost or stolen possession and offer you the protection you need.