Last Minute Travel Insurance

Research carried out by a price comparison site has revealed that 63% of holidaymakers take out travel insurance less than two weeks before the beginning of their holiday.

Holiday goers who leave purchasing travel insurance to the last minute risk being out of pocket in the event of their holiday being canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Illness, injury, or bereavement can force a holiday to be canceled unexpectedly. If this happens then those with travel insurance can potentially recoup the cost of the holiday. Those who leave purchasing travel insurance till late are leaving themselves in a vulnerable situation.

Cancellation policies differ between providers, with some offering up to £3,000 worth of protection. It's important to check the amount of cancellation cover that your insurer provides, as some only offer relatively small amounts that are unlikely to cover the full costs.

By travelling without insurance you are taking a big risk. Being involved in an accident without the necessary cover could leave you with huge medical expenses to pay.

When you take out insurance cover you should familiarise yourself with the finer details of what you are covered for and what you aren't covered for.

Keep in mind that travel insurance doesn't cover you for every eventuality. For example, if you have an accident whilst drunk or under the influence of drugs then insurers will more than likely be unwilling to pay.

Here's a recommendation of what a minimum amount of travel insurance should cover:

• Cash : £250
• Baggage : £1,500
• Cancellation : £3,000
• Personal Liability : £1 million
• Medical expenses : £2 million

By Nick Cox