In some countries you may be required to pay for the cost of medicines or to pick up the bill for your hospital bed.
You may also have problems if you need an ambulance.
Covering the cost of treatment abroad is very expensive, especially in the United States, and buying travel insurance with good quality cover should be a priority.
It will also help cover the cost of replacing your belongings if they are stolen, cancellations and delays.
Where should I buy insurance?
Resist the hard sell from your travel agent or tour operator - prices can be up to 75% more expensive. Holiday operators sometimes insist that customers must take out its own insurance. You cannot refuse if it is a condition of taking the holiday. However, the travel agent or operator cannot make every holiday offer conditional upon buying travel insurance and you cannot be charged extra if you want to buy it elsewhere. Approach an insurer direct or try a broker, who will scour the market for you.
What if I have a medical condition?
Insurers say that they are becoming more sympathetic to people with medical conditions, but in practice it is not as simple. Some companies will refuse cover for people who have had heart attacks, suffer from epilepsy, cancer or who are terminally ill. If you have problems getting cover, you could try a support group which helps people with similar conditions. They often keep lists of insurers who will cover your condition or will refer you to an insurer that is recommended. There are also a number of specialist medical insurers, which will provide cover for pre-existing medical conditions.
The cover will require medical authorisation. Remember to check any exclusions in each country you are visiting.
What if I am an older person?
Most travel insurers set an upper age limit of 70. Prices vary widely in this sector and specialist insurers such as Age Concern and Saga may not always be the cheapest. Remember to declare any existing medical conditions. If you are likely to suffer related problems while you are away, you should go to an insurer who will cover that condition.
What if I am pregnant?
Both airlines and insurance companies impose restrictions on expectant mothers. For example, British Airways allows women to travel up to 28 weeks into their pregnancy. Between 28 and 36 weeks, pregnant women must produce a doctor's certificate saying that they are fit to fly. After 36 weeks, flying is not allowed. Most insurers will cover a pregnant woman for up to 28 weeks into the pregnancy, but cover still varies.
What if I need to cancel my holiday?
Insurance should protect you if you are unable to go on holiday through illness, death or redundancy. Some policies will cover not only your death or your spouse's, but other relations such as grandparents and stepchildren. Most will pay the cost of the holiday if you cancel after being made redundant from a full-time job. If you run a small business, some will provide cover in the event of a co-owner dying.
But insurers will normally pay out only if your illness is life-threatening or you are admitted to hospital. You will not get your money back if you simply change your mind
