After all, the chances are you're just not going to need it. Well maybe not, but the thing about any form of insurance is that it's there to protect you from the financial consequences of the unexpected actually happening.
So, what types of protection can a policy typically offer?
Perhaps one of the most important considerations when you travel abroad on holiday is what would happen if you or a member of your family were to fall ill. It is important to note that even if you have an EHIC (freely available from the NHS but valid for the EU and associated European countries only) this will only provide you with the same level of free medical treatment that citizens of the country you are visiting are entitled to. This is unlikely to be as extensive as the free care and treatment you may be used to in the UK.
You may find yourself being asked to pay significant sums, particularly if surgery or repatriation is required. Other expenses, like your accommodation should you need to stay behind at the end of your holiday to be close to a sick child for example, would simply not be covered at all if you had no family holiday insurance.
Cancellation
If you have to cancel your holiday in situations where a close family member has been taken ill, or perhaps if you have been made redundant, appropriate family holiday insurance will allow you to get reimbursement for monies paid out.
Travel delays
Your travel plans may be hit by strikes, bad weather or severe traffic conditions. In the worst case, severe delays may lead you to having to cancel your holiday completely, while at the very best you may be facing out of pocket expenses for snacks, drinks and even accommodation until you can finally set off.
Baggage and personal item issues
Getting to your destination should be the start of a great couple of weeks for you and your family, but not if you are in one place and your baggage is in another, or if it has perhaps been stolen. A policy will typically cover the costs of you being able to purchase essential items to allow you to continue with your holiday. The loss or theft of personal items such as passports, travellers' cheques and cash can be similarly covered.
Car hire excess
With any car rental agreement, there is likely to be a fairly hefty excess charge for certain types of damage to the vehicle; this can leave you with a significant charge to your credit card for repairs to a car that isn't even yours. A good comprehensive policy can provide a financial buffer in these situations.
These are just some of the scenarios that could have a negative impact on your holiday, but the peace of mind that having cover can bring can never be overestimated - particularly when you are trying to relax and get away from your everyday cares and worries.
You may find that, when viewed against other factors like the overall cost of your holiday, the potential benefits that family holiday insurance provides may end up making it seem like an indispensable part of your planning. And it is.
Author : Patrick Chong
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