Winter break time? There may be no need to rush abroad to escape the chill of winter if the latest weather forecasts can be believed, but many Britons will nonetheless be travelling abroad this holiday season and that can be a risky experience

If something goes wrong, the cost of putting it right can be magnified if you are far away from friends, family, home, and the NHS.  Many (although it's still an alarmingly low percentage) alleviate this risk by purchasing holiday and travel insurance in the hope that it will be a small price to pay for a worry-free break.

However, can you just buy holiday and travel insurance, sit back and relax? Or will purchasing it simply offer further risk of something else going wrong?  It's a common perception that insurers will try their best to find exclusions and will not pay out unless they absolutely have to. 

That may be more than just an urban myth as according to the Financial Ombudsman, complaints against travel insurers rose by 28% in 2010. (source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10765017).  To reduce the chances of having to complain to your insurer, here are a few tips to follow when purchasing holiday and travel insurance:

• Instead of relying on what you are told by the travel agent, take the time to read the policy wording.  You'll often find that in user friendly booklet form rather than having to plough through the notorious reverse page small print, but do try to read first.   If a dispute arises at a later date it may be impossible to prove what your agent said if they choose to deny it. The insurer will always refer you to the policy wording, which you should be prepared to quote back at them if necessary.
 
• If you are purchasing insurance cover for a particular risk, it is even more critical to check the wording.  If that risk is not covered, you should ask for a different policy or reconsider the value of having insurance in the first place.

• Unless the policy specifically states otherwise, not all risks are covered instantly and may involve you submitting a claim form and waiting for a response which may take weeks. This might not be a problem for small items, but some incidents may require urgent attention and considerable expenditure whilst on your holiday.  Unless immediate cover is provided, you might have to dip into your own funds in the case of an emergency.

• Make sure that the policy covers all relevant people within your party.

• It goes without saying that there are destinations where the risk of terrorism is heightened.  Not all policies will automatically offer protection and cover in the event of terrorist acts, so you must ensure you check your policy wording if you are travelling to high risk areas such as the Middle East.

• Let's be honest:  drinking alcohol (in moderation and sensibly of course) is part and parcel of a holiday, especially if you relax with a gluhwein or two après-skis, but few appreciate that that intoxication can invalidate your insurance.   Insurers will refuse or reject claims for cover if the damage occurred as a result of intoxication. Most people understand this, but few appreciate this exclusion in respect of skiing accidents in particular can also extend to drinking the night before.

If you become involved in a dispute with your insurer please contact our legal helpline on 03700 86 86 86 and speak to someone who'll be happy to help.

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