Travel Health Insurance

You don't expect things to go wrong on holiday, but sadly they can do – and the consequences can be scary. Getting medical care in other countries can be a difficult and expensive process, and if – God forbid – something serious was to happen, you could end up in massive debt. Travel health insurance is part of every policy, and it's something you need to think about in detail.

Travel health insurance usually includes medical expenses cover – with an insured value in the millions, which sounds like a lot but isn't – and additional options such as compensation for hospital stays or personal injury.

The level of health cover tends to be standard across different insurers, but you need to read the terms and conditions carefully. If you haven't taken out a winter sports travel policy and fall off a mountain, for example, a standard policy might not pay out – or might pay out a massively reduced amount. The same applies to hazardous activities such as deep sea diving and "adventure sports" – make sure your travel health insurance policy covers them or you could encounter problems.

One key thing your travel health policy should include is a 24-hour emergency number so that no matter where you are, you can get help if you need it. Remember to take a note of the number and carry it with you.