| This is both irritating and costly when it happens | | | | delayed baggage and from the hotel or tour |
| and unless there is very strong mitigating | | | | representative, often for all three types of loss. |
| circumstances, insurers are very unlikely to back | | | | Without these reports, it is probable that your |
| down. So what can we do to ensure that our | | | | claim will not be upheld. Travel insurance policies |
| claim does not suffer the same fate? | | | | also require original receipts to be sent in to prove |
| It really is important to read the small print as this | | | | proof of purchase and to indicate purchase price. |
| will not only tell you what you are and, more | | | | As most policies do not offer 'new for old' cover, |
| importantly, not covered for but will also make | | | | a depreciation index is applied so what you get |
| you more conscious of what might happen whilst | | | | back is normally less than what you paid and this |
| away on holiday and how to deal with it. As they | | | | index is harsher if no receipts are provided and will |
| say 'Forearmed is Forewarned,' and it will help | | | | be capped at a maximum amount per item |
| ease what otherwise could be a stressful situation | | | | (normally around £60). |
| if things do go wrong. What are the common | | | | Valuables, Money and Personal Effects - Is your |
| errors that make it easier for an insurer to decline | | | | mobile phone covered? What about your kids |
| a claim? | | | | Nintendo Game Boy? These are simple questions |
| Pre-existing medical conditions - Have you | | | | but it is too late to assume that they are insured |
| declared these when taking out your travel | | | | after the event. Valuables and Personal Money |
| insurance policy? And it is not just restricted to | | | | have even stricter rules applied to them and need |
| you and your travelling companions. Most policies | | | | to be looked after with greater care. Money for |
| are very strict here and ask you to declare a | | | | instance should be in a locked safe if not on your |
| pre-existing medical condition on anyone who | | | | person (a locked drawer in your room is seldom |
| could subsequently get you to cancel or curtail | | | | ok. Likewise valuables should NEVER be left in |
| your trip. If you don't declare it and it | | | | 'checked in' luggage as this will definitely invalidate |
| subsequently appears on the Medical Certificate, | | | | your claim. |
| which the insurer will ask you and your GP to | | | | It can be a minefield out there designed to trip up |
| complete, then it is highly likely that you won't get | | | | the unwary but with a little bit of preparation |
| any money back. | | | | before you take out your travel insurance and |
| Baggage Claims - For loss, theft and damage, you | | | | sensible precautions once on your holiday, you can |
| will be required to get a report within 24 hours of | | | | substantially improve your chances of coming |
| the incident, from either the local police for theft | | | | home not out of pocket. |
| claims, from the airline for lost, damaged or | | | | |