Travel claims on the rise

Travel Insurance claims are on the rise according to City law firms dealing with compensation claims during the economic downturn. Last year, Britons made more than 560,000 medical claims totalling £383 million, up 58 per cent on 2007. Claims for lost luggage were the second most popular, with nearly 400,000 British travellers seeking around £8 million from their travel insurer, up eight per cent on 2007. Claims for flight cancellations were also up, rising 24 per cent to 240,000 claims.

All of which proves how important it is for people to have adequate travel insurance, particularly when times are tough. Even then it is vital to look at the small print to make sure any claim is valid. Common pitfalls include what are termed pre-existing medical conditions. Most policies are very strict here and ask you to declare a pre-existing medical condition on anyone who could subsequently get you to cancel or curtail your trip. If you don’t declare it and it subsequently appears on the Medical Certificate, which the insurer will ask you and your GP to complete, then it is highly likely that you won’t get any money back.

Another area that insurers are hot on are baggage claims. For loss, theft and damage, you will be required to get a report within 24 hours of the incident, from either the local police for theft claims, from the airline for lost, damaged or delayed baggage and from the hotel or tour representative, often for all three types of loss. Without these reports, it is probable that your claim will not be upheld.

It can be a minefield out there designed to trip up the unwary but with a little bit of preparation before you take out your travel insurance and sensible precautions once on your holiday, you can substantially improve your chances of coming home not out of pocket.

South African born Keith has lived in the south of England for most of his life. After graduating from University with a degree in Business Information Systems Management he decided to start Strawberrysoup; a website design company based in West Sussex and Dorset.