The 5 Most Common Travel Insurance Policy Exclusions

The 5 Most Common Travel Insurance Policy Exclusions

Travel insurance is becoming more widely recognised as an essential asset for travellers, however long they're planning to spend away from home. Your policy may not include everything you're likely to need though, so it pays to check the small print before committing - particularly the section marked 'exclusions.'

Exclusions are eventualities not covered by the policy. Some exclusions may apply to all policies, while others will vary depending on the insurer and the level of cover you take out. While many exclusions may not apply to you, others could make a significant difference in the event that you need to make claims on your policy.

Once such example is pre-existing medical conditions, which may not be covered by your travel insurance if they were diagnosed prior to setting off. This particularly applies to illnesses such as cancer or HIV, which can require expensive treatments that your insurer may not be willing to pay - and will not be obliged to cover if not specified by your policy.

Women can face additional medical barriers if they become pregnant while abroad, and medication and treatments related to the menopause may similarly not be covered. Insurance companies may also refuse to offer policies to customers with histories of violent tendencies or criminal behaviour, as this could put them at higher risk of run-ins with international authorities.

If you're planning on travelling to dangerous countries, such as war zones or nations currently experiencing unstable political situations, you may find it especially difficult to find a company willing to insure your trip and take responsibility for your safety. Travel agents often advise against visiting such high risk countries, but if you need to make the trip you should be sure to inform your insurer, who may be able to offer a specialised travel insurance policy ideal for your situation.

You should also inform your insurer if you're planning on taking part in high risk activities such as skydiving or winter sports like skiing, as they may offer more specific policies. These policies will usually specify strict limitations to the cover offered - such as only covering skiing accidents that take place within the grounds of registered ski resorts - so thorough checking is always essential.

Finally, cutting costs in some areas of your holiday could put you at risk if this means going outside of your policy agreement. While travel insurance typically covers flight cancellations and delays, this may not be the case for some budget airlines.

The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Confused.com. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.

POST COMMENT

A Guideline to Caravan Insurance The Benefits of having Hairdressing Insurance with regard to your own company This Simple and Effective Insurance Public Relations - Build Your Business Mexico Insurance Quote A Quick Way to Get Protection The benefits of health insurance in the UK Baja Homeowners Insurance Get Prepared for Your Mexican Vacation Mexican Insurance For All Travelers to Mexico Fortified Insurance of Manchester Offers Motorcycle Coverage From the Best Carriers The UK Insurance Market Outlook to 2015 Get Car Accident Personal Injury Compensation - Don't Get Taken By The Insurance Companies Netherlands Insurance Market Outlook to 2015 Property Insurance Explained for Property Investors Italy Insurance Market Outlook to 2015