What Could Void Your Family Holiday Insurance?

Aug 20
08:38

2015

Lisa Jeeves

Lisa Jeeves

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Family holiday insurance is a wise thing to have while travelling with your family, but it could be invalidated if you don’t meet your obligations.

mediaimage

Family holiday insurance is a must-have when travelling abroad. It can be tempting to skip out on the coverage in order to save a few pounds,What Could Void Your Family Holiday Insurance? Articles but the expenses you could face when the unexpected does happen will hit your finances very hard if you are caught unprepared.

Equally dangerous – if not more so – is when you unknowingly void your coverage through negligence or ignorance. Here are some of the more important areas of concern that you need to be aware of.

1. Failure To Declare Pre-Existing Conditions – One of the worst things you can do with any form of family holiday insurance is to fail to mention a pre-existing condition. Diabetes, asthma, heart ailments, blood conditions – these and any other kind of pre-existing condition need to be declared before you finalise your purchase. Your insurer can avoid liability for any medical procedures stemming from these pre-existing conditions if you don't disclose them.

2. Risky Activities – Any activity with an element of risk, like diving or horseback riding, will need a special form of coverage designed specifically for these activities. It is for this reason that travellers must come up with a plan for all activities they wish to engage in while on holiday. Go over this list with your insurer before you make your decision.

3. Lack Of Reasonable Precautions – Just because you’re covered by family holiday insurance doesn’t mean you don’t need to take care of yourself. If your insurer can prove that you didn’t at least take some reasonable measures to protect yourself or your family, and that you could have easily avoided your dilemma if you had taken basic safety precautions, then you could find yourself having to cover the expenses incurred during such an event.

4. Wilful Recklessness – Intentionally putting yourself in danger, on the other hand, is even worse. The principle is the same as engaging in risky activities without the proper coverage, but willingly putting yourself or your family in harm’s way - especially when the potential for harm is clear for all to see – is grounds for your insurer to nullify its obligation to pay for any damages resulting from this recklessness.

5. Engaging In Illegal Behaviour – Breaking the laws of your host country is definitely grounds for your insurer to void its responsibilities. This does not just apply to criminal activities; driving on the wrong side of the road or refusing to comply with socio-cultural laws are two examples of engaging in illegal behaviour, and chances are you will have to cover the damages resulting from this behaviour.

6. Availing Of Travel Promotions – Some family holiday insurance providers include clauses excluding cover for when you avail of promotions like loyalty points or air miles. This is something you can usually see buried deep in the fine print, so take the time to scrutinise the contract if you plan to go on holiday while using promotions.

Keep all these points in mind and you'll be able to go off on holiday with the peace of mind that, should you need it, your insurance policy will pay out should you need to make a claim.