A comprehensive
insurance policy is essential. This should cover the full duration of your trip.
We will ask for a copy of this policy before your departure and are unable to
accept anyone without a policy.
Make sure it
covers you for full repatriation to your home country. We highly recommend that
it also covers adventure sports since the Victoria Falls area has a great many.
Many insurance policies exclude rafting, Bungi jumping etc unless specifically
requested to do so. If want to participate in these sports then you should take
out the appropriate cover.
Many of our
volunteers go on to travel to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi,
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. Again you should make sure your policy
covers any areas you are likely to visit.
The links below
will help:
Insurance Advice
from the Association of British Insurers
Travelling on your gap year is exciting and fun - Travel insurance isn’t
Most gap years pass by without a hitch, but if things do go wrong travel
insurance can help you both practically and financially, although it won’t pay
for everything.
Travel insurance is easy to buy but policies can be difficult to understand – so
don’t get caught out! The insurance industry would like everybody to read the
policy they’ve bought or are about to buy, but insurance companies know that all
to often people don’t bother. If you are only going to read one thing about
travel insurance, read this now and act on it – it could save you lots of money
and distress!!
Here are some handy tips to help you.
Health
-
If you had a
medical condition before your trip and did not inform the insurance company,
your travel insurance is unlikely to pay for medical treatment or the costs
to get you home. If you want to be insured for the condition, tell the
insurance company before you go and they will advise you if they can cover
the condition or not.
-
Policies will
often pay for you to cancel your trip or come home early if a close relative
becomes ill. If you know of a relative's condition before the trip you must
tell the insurance company before you travel so they may decide if they will
cover this or not. Check carefully to see who the policy calls a 'close
relative', as policies can differ.
Doing
Something Risky?
-
If you are
likely to be engaged in risky pursuits during a placement arranged by a gap
year company, they should advise you to check that such activities are
included in your insurance policy.
-
But it may be
that you will wish to repeat the experience or try other risky activities
while travelling independently either before or after your placement. Most
policies do not cover you for doing dangerous things like riding a jet-ski,
diving or bungee jumping unless you have told the insurance company before
you go and they have agreed to cover you. The best thing to do is to check
your policy before you travel to check that it covers all the activities you
hope to experience on your travels. If you are unsure, contact the insurance
company and ask.
-
Gap years
should be fun and spontaneous and it may be that you may decide to
participate in a dangerous activity that is not on your list. In this case
see if you can obtain cover locally – your gap year company may be able to
advise you even if you have completed your time with them.
Be careful
with your possessions – don’t leave your things where they’ll get stolen
-
Don’t rely on
your insurance. They may not pay your claim if you have not taken enough
care in looking after your things. Always act as though you do not have
insurance, and look after your possessions.
-
Check the
limits on your policy for individual items and money. If you are planning to
take expensive items such as cameras, jewellery and other valuables with you
then you should check the amount covered. If you cannot afford to lose an
item, leave it at home!
-
Don't leave
your possessions where you can't stop someone taking them, and don't leave
items in a locked car where passers-by can see them.
-
Always keep
money and valuable items with you or locked in a safe.
Get proof
of your loss
-
Always keep
receipts to help you prove your claim.
-
If something
is stolen or you lose it, always report it to the police, and when
travelling independently your hotel/hostel and carrier as soon as possible
and get a document from them to prove that you told them.
Remember
the helpline
-
Every travel
insurance policy has a 24-hour assistance helpline. The helpline can provide
you with a lot of help and advice, so be sure to call if you need it.
-
If you have a
medical problem abroad, most policies require you to call the helpline to
make sure any medical treatment is covered and will be paid.
-
If you are
still on your gap year placement, ask your gap year provider for help. They
should have details of your policy and will have experience of helping
people with the necessary procedures for making an insurance claim whether
it be for health reasons, lost property or adding to your policy.
Copies of
Documents
Leave a copy of your passport, your insurance and any other important documents
you may need to refer to with your parents, guardian or reliable friend at home.
E-mail a copy to yourself and take an additional copy with you, which you keep
separate from the original. In this way should you lose your documents abroad
the situation can be quickly recovered.
Insurance companies don’t want you to get a nasty surprise if you have to make a
claim:
- If you are in doubt about whether you should mention anything to your insurer,
tell them.
- If you are not sure what is covered, ask them.
- Remember - it is always best to read the policy when you receive it... You will
be amazed at how much good stuff is in it!
Useful
Background Information
The cost of claims is disproportionate as shown below:
Most common claims (%) Cost of claims(%)
Medical expenses 33% 50%
Baggage & money 30% 10%
Cancellation 28% 36%
Others 9% 4%
The
lessons are:
-
Don't get
caught with a medical problem overseas without the appropriate insurance
cover.
-
Take out
insurance at the same time as you book your gap year placement then, if you
do have to cancel, you should be covered.
Source:
The information in this section is taken from a briefing given by Association of
British Insurers in September 2005 (www.abi.org.uk).
