Potential Voids for Single Trip Holiday Insurance

If you're planning to travel, it's definitely worth your time to scope out the various single trip holiday insurance plans out on the market. Do note, however, that insurance companies are pretty rigid when it comes to the rules – meaning that you’ll be protected by their plans but you must play by their rules.

So just what should you be aware of as you shop around for single trip holiday insurance packages?

1. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions – If you have a pre-existing medical condition you need to be upfront with your insurance providers. Not declaring any pre-existing conditions is enough grounds to nullify any medical claims you may make – especially if they are related to your condition. Ignorance is not an excuse in this case, which is why it is imperative that you are fully aware of your physical and medical condition before going abroad.

2. Failure to Treat Existing Medical Conditions – Even if you declare your pre-existing condition and pay a little extra on the premium for doing so, you must ensure that you are properly managing that condition. This means taking your medicines, avoiding the foods that don’t fit well and not over-exerting yourself. If you fail to do so and if your provider can connect this failure on your part to the claims you will make, you risk your coverage being void.

3. Taking Too Long to Contact Your Insurance Provider – If something bad happens to you on your trip, make sure to contact your insurance provider asap. Delaying it will make it much harder to secure the cooperation of your provider – especially if you cannot provide a reasonable cause for the delay.

4. Engaging In Risky Activities – Unless you have extra cover, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, zip lining or basically engaging in any kind of risky activity will automatically void your policy should you figure into an accident. If you plan to engage in such activities or sporting events, make sure to tell your provider before you leave the country so you can receive expanded sporting coverage on your plan.

5. Excessive Consumption of Alcohol – Get drunk while abroad and then get into an accident and you can expect your provider to use it as a valid reason not to pay for any medical or legal issues incurred. Keep in mind that you overindulge at your own risk.

6. Engaging in Criminal or Illegal Activity – Breaking the law – even for petty or harmless reasons that really don’t hurt anyone – is solid grounds for your single trip holiday insurance provider to void your coverage. Play by the book while abroad if you want to stay protected.

Keep these these factors in mind and you’ll be able to better prepare for (and avoid) your single trip holiday insurance claims being rejected.