The January Blues

RECENT research by ATOL, the holiday protection scheme, has found that 5.2 million Brits are set to book their holiday this month.

The price of the getaway is still the number one factor when booking holidays, with over a third of Brits (35 per cent) admitting they are looking to grab a bargain by booking their next holiday early.

Another quarter (26 per cent) say they are looking forward to sunshine and hot weather after such dreary weather this winter.

However, despite a large number of expected holiday bookings in January, seven out of ten (69 per cent) of those surveyed admitted they do not always seek financial protection for their holiday getaways, putting themselves at risk of being out of pocket if their airline or travel company goes out of business.


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Worst US airports for flight cancellations

TO help travellers to make more informed decisions when it comes to holiday travel, researchers at InsureMyTrip reveal which airports to possibly avoid and how the latest data trends can aid travellers when comparing travel insurance benefits.

New York's LaGuardia (LGA) will be most stressful for travelers this Christmas, LGA reports the highest percentage of canceled flights (4.9%) so far this year.  Flights scheduled for departure between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm are more susceptible to delays and cancellations.  If a flight is cancelled, most airlines will rebook travelers on the next available flight at no additional charge. However, airlines are not required to reimburse travelers for losses incurred as a result of a cancelled flight.

This is the list of the most stressful airports this Christmas, based on flight cancellation rates:

1.   LGA New York, NY:LaGuardia 

2.   ORF Norfolk, VA: Norfolk 

      International
3.   CHS Charleston, SC: Charleston 

      AFB/International
4.   ROC Rochester, NY: Greater       

      Rochester International
5.   PHL Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia 

      International
6.   EWR Newark, NJ: Newark Liberty International
7.   PVD Providence, RI: Theodore Francis Green State
8.   DCA Washington, DC: Ronald Reagan Washington National
9.   BUF Buffalo, NY: Buffalo Niagara International
10. JFK New York, NY: John F. Kennedy International


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Counting the costs

INSURING a trip can save travelers from huge financial losses when the unexpected happens, but many take the risk rather than adding the expense of an insurance policy. Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, shares 3 hacks to save money on a travel insurance policy, proving coverage doesn't need to come at a huge cost.

Insure Only Non-Refundable Trip Costs - Travelers insuring the cost of a trip can expect to spend 4-10% of their trip cost on a travel insurance policy, so it is important to remember: the lower the trip cost, the lower the premium.

To save from spending too much on a policy, travelers should only insure expenses they would lose if they are unable to travel as planned, such as airfare and hotel costs. For example, if a hotel requires travelers to pay a 50% penalty to cancel a hotel reservation, they should insure just that amount, rather than the full cost of the hotel.

Skip Cancel For Any Reason Coverage - While the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade can offer greater flexibility if a traveler needs to cancel their trip, it typically increases the cost of a policy by as much as 40% and only reimburses a portion of the trip cost. Since most common Trip Cancellation concerns are covered by standard cancellation policies, there is no reason for travelers to pay more for the benefit unless they have a unique concern that isn't otherwise covered.

Compare Your Options - The best way for travelers to find the least expensive policy that fits their needs is by shopping around and using a third-party comparison site, such as Squaremouth.com, to compare premiums and coverages. While policies typically have similar benefits, premiums vary widely depending on the insurance provider. Travelers who are offered a policy through their cruise line, airline, or credit card should compare it with other policies on the market to make sure they are getting the coverage they need at the lowest cost.


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Did you know . . .

THIS summer, wildfires have burned out of control in California and Greece. Leading travel insurance comparison website, Squaremouth, says whether your home or travel destination is in the fire's path, travel insurance may be able to help. But before buying a policy, here are 3 things travelers don't know about coverage for wildfires, but should.

1. Cause of the fire determines coverage - Most Trip Cancellation-style travel insurance policies will reimburse you if a natural disaster, such as a wildfire, prevents you from taking your trip as planned. However, travelers may not be aware that the original cause of the fire can dictate if this coverage is available.

In general, travel insurance policies consider a "natural disaster" something that occurred "due to natural causes". Meaning, if arson or other human error is to blame, the event may not be considered a "natural disaster", and coverage may not be available at all.

2. Cutoff date for getting coverage can be complicated - In order to have travel insurance coverage for any event, a policy must be purchased before the event occurs. Unfortunately for natural disasters like wildfires, and other events under investigation, it can be difficult to pinpoint the date it first occurred. As a general rule, travelers should remember that by the time an event is in the news and commonly known, it is too late to buy a travel insurance policy for any coverage related to that event.

3. Coverage available if home is in danger - Most travelers associate travel insurance coverage with a problem at their destination, however most don't know coverage can be available if your home is affected. Most Trip Cancellation-style policies cover travelers whose residence becomes uninhabitable or inaccessible by a natural disaster, such as a wildfire. This benefit covers the cost for the traveler to cancel their trip, or return home early, as well as any unused expenses due to the early return.


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ABTA advises think twice

ABTA – The Travel Association is strongly advising holidaymakers and other travellers to think twice before hiring mopeds whilst overseas, and to only ride quad bikes as part of an organised excursion.  Every year many people have dangerous accidents while on holiday after driving quad bikes on the road and hiring mopeds – causing serious injuries and some accidents have been fatal.

ABTA Members reported 36 quad bike accidents and seven moped accidents in 2017. So far in 2018, seven people have been involved in quad bike accidents on the road. These figures represent just those cases reported by ABTA Members – and ABTA believes the total number of accidents to be much higher.

New figures from ABTA reveal as many as 4.5 million Britons have hired a moped or quad bike whilst overseas – the equivalent of one in ten British holidaymakers. Younger adults are most likely to put themselves at risk - one in seven (16%) British 18-24 year olds who have taken an overseas holiday in the last 12 months said they had hired either a quad bike or a moped.

In recent years, quad bikes have become increasingly popular, particularly in places like Greece, Cape Verde & Turkey. Hiring mopeds has also become common among British travellers in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Whether in Europe or further afield, these vehicles give little protection in an accident, and riders are particularly vulnerable on the open roads.

ABTA is advising anyone travelling abroad that there are always safer alternatives to hiring mopeds and quad bikes, including hiring a car, taking a taxi or using public transport, and to only ride quad bikes as part of an organised excursion. It is also reminding holidaymakers of the limitations and exclusions of standard travel insurance policies – many of which will not cover accidents from quad bikes and mopeds, leaving seriously injured holidaymakers facing unaffordable medical bills.


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It's all in the preparation

WHETHER you're taking your first international trip or you just need a refresher on how to prepare, OneTravel.com is sharing some tips to make sure travelers have fun, memorable, and safe global getaways this summer.

Purchase travel insurance: It's no secret that international trips are expensive. Purchasing insurance may ensure you're able to recuperate the cost of your trip in case something goes unexpectedly wrong. Though most travel insurance policies don't cover when a passenger arbitrarily cancels a trip, they do cover occurrences like sickness, injury, natural disaster, or terrorist incident. All travel insurance policies are different, so make sure you read what exactly is covered under your policy.

Let your bank know you're traveling: Identity security is a top priority these days, especially for financial institutions, so it's not unusual for a bank to freeze or cancel your credit or debit card if it sees unusual activity. To avoid being locked out of your accounts, give your bank a call before you leave to let them know when you'll be out of the country and what countries you'll be visiting.

Print hotel, car, or activity confirmations: Even if you are traveling with an international phone plan, it's a good idea to have your email confirmations printed out just in case. Printing them before you leave will also force you to review your reservations to make sure all of the booking information is correct.

Make copies of important documents: If you fall victim to theft, it is critical to have photocopies of your travel documents and other important items in your wallet. Having a copy of your passport helps with getting a replacement for your return trip. Photocopies of other items in your wallet will provide back-up identification and will remind you of any credit cards you need to cancel.

Study up on your destination: Whether you think so or not, you will likely stick out as a foreigner when you are traveling abroad. Before you leave, look at a map and try to get an idea of the layout of your destination city. It's also recommended to learn some of the basic customs and laws to make sure you are acting appropriately. To go the extra mile, learning key phrases in the local language is always appreciated by locals.

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3 Air Travel Nightmares That Travel Insurance Doesn't Cover

EACH day in the USA millions of travelers are navigating airports, filing through security lines and hoping to board their flight seamlessly. However, not every trip goes as planned. Leading travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, reviews three common air travel nightmares that travel insurance doesn't cover.

The Neverending Security Line - While travelers may aim to arrive early, sometimes security lines can be long, especially during holidays and peak travel times. Missing a flight because of a long security line is not covered by travel insurance.

What can be covered: If a traveler misses their flight due to a traffic accident on the way to the airport there may be travel insurance coverage on some policies. Travel insurance providers will require official documentation of the accident during the claims process.

The Overbooked Flight - Often unbeknown to travelers, airlines overbook flights on a regular basis. If an airline 'bumps' a traveler from a flight because it's full, they will often provide a voucher. However, a voucher for future travel doesn't always help if a traveler has a connecting flight or cruise that they will miss. Any penalties incurred as a result of being bumped from an overbooked flight aren't covered by travel insurance.

What can be covered: If a flight is delayed due to a mechanical failure or bad weather, travel insurance can pay travelers back for their meals, hotel accommodations and local transportation during their delay. If the flight is cancelled or delayed for a significant amount of time, some travel insurance providers can allow the traveler to cancel their trip get their money back.

Flights Paid With Frequent Flyer Miles - While travel insurance can provide coverage in many different situations, it can't pay back reward points or frequent flyer miles, because there is no dollar value to associate with the points.

What can be covered: Taxes and fees associated with the air miles or reward points may be covered. Some providers will also cover fees to rebank miles.

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Glimp is Helping Kiwis Travel Cheaper

GLIMP'S website was founded in 2016, following a high demand from Kiwis wanting to compare prices on utilities, internet, credit cards, insurance and mortgages. Glimp now offers an easy and free solution to compare travel insurance providers and plans.

With the travel insurance comparison tool on Glimp, Kiwis can compare a range of options based on their destination and flying date. The comparison tool will then offer a variety of options likely to suit their travel needs, along with a full breakdown of what is included in the cover of each plan. The entire process of comparing travel insurance companies generally only takes less than five minutes.

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Hurricane season approaching

LAST year's hurricane season brought major storms to highly traveled destinations, resulting in a significant increase in claims. This year, researchers predict another above-average hurricane season and leading travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, reports an increase in people in the U.S. purchasing travel insurance for the upcoming hurricane season.

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ABTA warns of quad bike dangers

‘One snap decision completely transformed my life. I could have lost the use of my legs … or worse, my life.’

UK HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) of the risks of hiring #quadbikes when abroad this summer.

There have been five incidents in #Greece since June involving holidaymakers and quad bikes, including most recently an 18-year-old who suffered a fractured skull and lost his sight in one eye in a quad bike accident.

Increasingly, holidaymakers are hiring quad bikes as a means to get around, often on main roads and in resorts, many without any training, road experience or proper protection. If they have an accident, injuries are often much more serious or life- threatening for people who have chosen not to wear a helmet, even when required by local laws to do so.

Quad bikes not typically covered by travel insurance. Many standard insurance policies specifically exclude cover for quad bike use, whether as a driver or passenger. This means that in the case of an accident, holidaymakers will be liable for substantial medical bills, especially if they require the use of an air ambulance to get them back to the UK.

Many tour operators offer the opportunity for customers to book organized off-road bike excursions with agencies that follow health and safety guidelines.

32-year-old Melanie Simmonds suffered serious injuries in a quad bike accident while on holiday in Greece in 2010. After a series of operations, it took 14 months for Melanie to recover from her injuries.

‘The reason that we hired the quad bike was to save money on taxis as I was diving,’ says Ms Simmonds. ‘One snap decision completely transformed my life. I could have lost the use of my legs … or worse, my life. I think if I hadn’t been wearing my camera on my back, I probably would have.

‘My advice to holidaymakers is be aware that quad bikes are heavy and dangerous. They are difficult to control and not very safe to use on roads. One big thing that I’ve also learnt is that you must always know what your insurance covers you for. As it turned out, I wasn’t covered for quad bikes because I never expected to be using one.’

Nikki White, director of Destinations and Sustainability at ABTA, comment: ‘Quad biking can be a fun and memorable holiday experience as part of an off-road excursion with a reputable company. But it can also be extremely high risk to hire a quad bike as a means of transport to get around resorts and to use on main roads. They might look easy and fun to drive, but the reality is they are powerful vehicles that demand driving expertise and proper protection to be used safely.’

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Travel insurance policies 'worthless'

#TRAVEL insurance policies have been found to be worthless when it comes to making some claims, including for missed flights. A report by Comparethemarket.com concludes that many travellers do not fully understand what are insured for.

Comparethemarket.com found that almost a third of single-trip policies did not cover missed connections in the UK, and 14% did not pay out for missed flights. Inexpensive policies are unlikely to pay out for loss of luggage or expensive valuables and the excesses claimants have to pay are high. Almost half covered only valuables worth less than £250 while people wrongly assumed they are covered in all instances.

Cancelling a holiday can be costly, but just under half of policies cover only cancellation up to £3,000, meaning families can lose out.

Research by GoCompare.com reveals that having a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) could mean holidaymakers in Europe avoiding paying an excess fee for medical treatment, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Of 734 insurers offering single-trip policies, 671 said they were willing to reduce excess fees to zero in the event of a claim if the traveller had used their EHIC when receiving treatment.

On some occasions, seeking medical treatment without using the EHIC card can mean the insurer will refuse to pay out, according to GoCompare.com.

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A dog’s life … in the back of the car

PET behaviour counsellor Kris Glover and comfort-insurance.co.uk offer families advice on taking their dogs with them on a holiday in the country

A CLASSIC sign of anxiety from dogs is dribbling in the vehicle. Being in a car for a long time is not comfortable or natural for dogs, so it’s important to acclimatize them to their new surroundings.

To lower anxiety, put your pet in the vehicle next to you while feeding treats and leaving the door open. The dog shouldn’t feel trapped and having them on the lead will help maintain control. Repeat these sessions, but ensure they are short and frequent. Providing familiar bedding and favourite toys will help settle your dog.

Once the dog is relaxed, the vehicle’s door should be shut. Again, feed treats before letting your pet out. If you’re satisfied your dog is comfortable, feed meals within the car but observe from outside so they get used to being inside alone.

The last stage should be turning the vehicle’s engine on and allowing it to run while your pet is inside eating. A lot of practice and time is needed to help your pet learn to tolerate the vehicle. When this has been achieved, it’s then time to drive a short distance (around 100 yards) with your pet inside with treats, food and its familiar toys alongside. Once happy with this, plan a trip with your pet to a destination that would be good for them. Arriving at a fun holiday destination or park will help your pet associate vehicle journeys with positive destinations, rather than ending up at the vets.

For the journey …

It is essential the dog has an opportunity to go to the toilet prior to a long journey.

Dogs like comfort. So moving their bed from the house into the vehicle will allow them to feel as comfy as possible, and therefore as relaxed as possible.

A dog is much more likely to settle if they are prevented from seeing exciting things outside (e.g. a dog walking past), so try to place the dog’s bed in a location where he or she can’t see out of the windows. There will be some dogs who are more settled if they can see outside, so if your dog ticks that box, position their bed so they can see through the window.

Give them something to do. A food toy or a long lasting chew will give them a focus during the journey.

Make sure the dog has access to water (anti-spill water bowls are ideal for vehicle travel) if the inside temperature of the motorhome or vehicle is overly warm. Make sure the dog has an opportunity every two to three hours for a leg stretch and toilet break.

If holidaying abroad, consider whether the vehicle insurance includes the relevant cover. Motorhome insurance from Comfort Insurance includes up to £2,500 cover for pets.

www.comfort-insurance.co.uk

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Legal & General launches travel insurance offering

LEGAL & GENERAL has re-entered the travel insurance market, expanding the range of its insurance cover options.  

Travellers will be able to choose between three levels of cover – bronze, silver and gold – with a range of additional options such as wedding, winter sports, cruise, and golf cover, all available online via the company’s website (www.legalandgeneral.com).

Features include up to £15 million medical expenses cover, a 24/7 emergency UK helpline, gadget cover as standard, with the option to extend the limit of cover to meet specific needs, and all pre-existing medical conditions considered.

John Hyde, managing director, said: ‘Legal & General is committed to making life better for consumers, and our re-entry into the travel insurance market is just the next step in ensuring we are offering our customers a broad and competitive range of general insurance products across a variety of distribution channels.

Our new travel product is comprehensive and flexible, with customers having access to three levels of cover, gadget cover as standard, and a choice of add-ons to ensure their individual needs are met. ‘

Legal & General travel insurance is arranged and administered by the Hood Group.

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Holidaymakers upgrade insurance as safety fears persist

TRAVEL agents are selling more comprehensive, ‘higher-end’ holiday insurance policies as consumer’s fears about security persist. 

Consumers are ‘more conscious about cover’ in the current climate, according to Ashley Close, head of #travelinsurance partnerships and business development at Holiday Extras, which sells 90% of its insurance product via travel agents.

The trend has emerged as the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said it was seeking a review of travel insurance regulation following a ‘worrying rise’ in people travelling without cover.

Mr Close said agents who were ‘already doing a good job of selling lower-end policies’ were shifting to policies which offer more cover. ‘People are more conscious of making sure they are protected. If they are going to areas that may be risky, they want to make sure they are covered.’

Andrea Clayton-Norris, sales director at Citybond Suretravel, agreed consumers were ‘moving towards the higher-end, more flexible policies’.

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Holidaymakers pay out £1,700 a year for unexpected medical bills

A STUDY has revealed that over-50s holidaymakers in Britain are paying out £1,700 a year for unexpected medical bills that aren’t covered by their travel insurance. 

Half of the over-50s within the study suffer from a medical condition, and 23 percent admit they fail to declare their medical conditions, which means they are not covered if they fall ill while on holiday.

The research by over-50s insurance and travel specialist Staysure also highlighted the most common misconceptions about insurance cover for medical conditions. More than 58 percent of Britons think they cannot get travel insurance cover if they have cancer, while four out of ten believe they will not find cover if they have had a stroke. One in five respondents said they had been prevented from fulfilling all their travel ambitions due medical conditions.

Chris Rolland, CEO of Staysure, said: ‘The fact that 23 percent of people who have pre-existing conditions fail to declare them when buying travel insurance is a truly shocking statistic, as it means people are putting themselves at risk of potentially extortionate medical bills should they fall ill abroad. They’re also spending money on a policy that won’t cover them for what they need – which is a false economy.

‘We urge holidaymakers to talk to their insurer and answer all questions honestly and to the best of their knowledge, declaring all conditions and any medication they’re taking. If their medical circumstances change before they travel, they should let their insurer know. While travelling with a medical condition might feel daunting, many of our customers love to achieve incredible things that they never thought possible, from climbing mountains to seeing the wonders of the world. There’s no reason for a medical condition to hold you back from achieving your travel dreams.’

Advice from Staysure on travelling with medical conditions:

1. If there is any doubt as to whether you are fit to travel, always take your doctor’s advice

2. Don't underestimate the value of a good travel insurance policy to cover your medical costs should you need treatment while you are away.

3. Declare all your pre-existing medical conditions when buying travel insurance. Claims directly arising from any pre-existing medical condition will not be covered unless you have declared all your medical history, hospital visits, and the medication you’re taking to your insurer at the point of purchase, and have them accepted by them in writing. It’s also important to tell your insurer if your medical history changes before you travel to ensure your policy is kept up to date, especially if you have annual cover.

4. You can get insured for cancellation, curtailment, and trip interruption cover which protects you against any unforeseen illness or accident that prevents you from travelling after you have booked your holiday.

5. You might need a licence for taking some medicines abroad (e.g. morphine-based pain killers). This can be obtained from your hospital, GP, or hospice. Rules vary from country to country, so you may need to contact the embassy for the country you are visiting to check.

6. Check that your insurer can help with replacing any lost medication or prescriptions while you are away.

7. Check with your doctor and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office if your destination requires vaccinations.

8. If you’re travelling in Europe, most insurers will require that you carry an EHIC card as well as your travel insurance.

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Travel for the over-50s: myths, risks, and fears

A STUDY has revealed that over-50s holidaymakers are paying out £1,700 a year for unexpected medical bills that aren’t covered by their #travelinsurance.

Half of the over-50s surveyed for the study suffer from a medical condition – almost a quarter of which are travelling without being properly insured – while 23 percent admit they fail to declare their medical conditions. This means travellers are not covered should they fall ill on holiday.

The research, conducted by over-50s insurance and travel specialist Staysure, also highlighted the most common misconceptions on insurance cover for medical conditions. Almost 60 percent of Brits surveyed in the study think you can’t get travel insurance cover if you have cancer, while four out of ten believe you won’t find cover if you’ve suffered from a stroke. One in five respondents also claimed they have been prevented from fulfilling all their travel ambitions due to their medical conditions.

Chris Rolland, CEO of Staysure said: ‘The fact that 23 percent of people who have pre-existing conditions fail to declare them when buying travel insurance is a truly shocking statistic, as it means people are putting themselves at risk of potentially extortionate medical bills should they fall ill abroad. They’re also spending money on a policy that won’t cover them for what they need – which is a false economy.

‘Our research also shows that almost one in ten Brits don’t feel confident travelling abroad with existing medical conditions – which suggests that the public don’t feel fully informed on how to approach it, or believe that the cost of cover for their needs may be prohibitive to their travel.’

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FCO urges Brits to upgrade travel insurance

WITH recent data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) revealing that the average travel insurance medical claim rose by nearly 10% last year, Britain’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is highlighting the risk of taking the Getaway Gamble of travelling overseas without adequate insurance. 

Travelling abroad with inadequate cover can cost thousands of pounds if things go wrong – the average cost of a claim for medical expenses rose to £1,022 in 2014 (from £930 in 2013). This contrasts sharply with the average cost of an annual travel insurance policy, which is £32.

‘Rolling the dice, not hedging your bets and being left with a £1,022 bill is no way to start or end a holiday,’ the FCO said.

The FCO is encouraging British nationals to make travel insurance an essential part of their holiday preparation. It is advising travellers to:

· Ensure they have the level of insurance cover required for their needs and the activities they have planned

· Answer questions about their medical history fully and honestly with the insurer; they might not be covered if they need to make a claim

· Bear in mind that travel insurance policies might not cover accidents that occur when someone has not taken reasonable care or had excessive amounts of alcohol

· Carry an up-to-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if travelling in the European Economic Area, in addition to valid insurance cover

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Post Office survey reveals cost of accidents abroad

AN ESTIMATED 4.4 million UK holidaymakers suffered injuries on trips abroad over the last three years at a cost of more than £1 billion, according to research by Post Office Travel Insurance.

More than a third (38%) of people who holidayed abroad in that period had an accident and 37.5% of them suffered injuries that cost an average of more than £252 each.

Animal bites and insect, jellyfish, or stingray stings were the most frequent incidents, suffered by a quarter of holidaymakers polled by the Post Office. Potentially serious problems such as food poisoning (14%) and sunstroke or severe sunburn requiring medical treatment (8%) were also commonplace.

One in 20 holidaymakers slipped or fell around swimming pools. The same proportion of people tripped or fell downstairs, suffered cuts from broken glass and other sharp objects or sustained injuries while swimming, snorkelling, or diving. Cuts and bruises together with broken or fractured limbs, shoulders and ankles were among the more common injuries.

Most injuries cost holidaymakers relatively small amounts of money. These ranged from an average of £47 for bites and stings to £118 for sunstroke or sunburn, £121 for a rental motorbike or scooter accident and £150 for a bathroom fall. But tourists not covered by travel insurance could find themselves paying much more than the average bills uncovered by the research.

It found individual injuries caused by bicycle accidents costing around £850 and of a sunburn victim paying around £1,500 for treatment. Some suffered multiple accidents costing them up to £7,500.

More accidents happened to UK holidaymakers in Spain than anywhere else, according to the poll of more than 2,000 people. Ten percent of food poisoning incidents were in Turkey.

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When vacations just don’t to plan …

ALMOST a quarter of Americans said their travel plans were impacted by medical conditions, natural disasters – including severe weather – or mechanical or carrier-caused problems, according to a survey by the US Travel Insurance Association.

The number of Americans saying their travels had been disrupted grew from 17% – almost one in six travellers – in 2012/13 to almost one out of four in 2013/14, an increase of 35%.

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Travellers – beware when booking!

TRAVEL specialists are warning holidaymakers to watch out for six “sins” to avoid when booking their get-away. 

The tips come from holiday claims lawyers at BL Claims Solicitors, who say couples and families can often be so excited when booking their summer breaks that they forget to pay attention to vital details.

Lauren Haas, a solicitor at BL Claims Solicitors, www.blclaims.co.uk, has identified the sins that holidaymakers should try to avoid:

Not checking the details of travel insurance – We all know we need travel insurance – but are you sure you’ve picked one that covers you properly? Check your policy actually covers the country you are visiting – for example, Turkey and Egypt are not in the European Union., so you’ll need extended cover. Check what you plan to do, too: ballooning, diving or quad-biking trips may require extra insurance.

Having out-of-date documents – Ensure your passport is up-to-date and that you have all the visas you need. Don't just rely on your tour operator or booking agent telling you all is well. If you are not allowed to fly and you have out-of-date documents, it is very difficult to bring any claim for compensation.

Not being wise to scams – If you are booking a holiday home over the internet, be aware that some sites simply act as agents for the actual owners and are not liable for any fraud or anything that goes wrong. In some cases, people have fallen victim to fraudsters by booking a holiday home that simply doesn’t exist. Watch out for requests for payment to be sent by Western Union or similar companies, as they are commonly used by con artists. It may be worth taking out insurance to guard against fraud.

Not having a backup – While abroad, it pays to keep a copy of your passport and travel documentation in your hotel or holiday villa. If you are pickpocketed, it is much easier to deal with the aftermath.

Picking the wrong card – You might want to consider paying any amounts over £100 by credit card. They offer an extra layer of protection and rights over a debit card or cash payment.

Not thinking ahead – While many excursion providers abroad are legitimate, if you are booking an excursion with a local company and pay in cash, then the rights and protections you have are not going to be equivalent to booking the excursion with a UK tour operator. Book ahead if you can.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: By Feliciano Guimarães from Guimarães, Portugal (Anonymous walking shadows  Uploaded by tm) via Wikimedia Commons