Travel Insurance Essentials

By Author: Augustine Starcic
Total Articles: 10
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So over here in Britain the snow may have ceased to fall, but Europe is by no means thawing out. Winter round two is hitting the Alps and bringing a good dump of snow with it. What''s more this snow is super light and fluffy thanks to the sub-zero temperatures therefore perfect for a week cruising from piste to piste and even dabbling in some off-piste antics.

In the past the scary prices of winter sports holidays may have put you off, but this year you should give a ski or snowboarding holiday another chance. Money may be limited for you, but hotels, airlines, restaurants and even ski schools are also feeling the pinch. This means savings are to be found if you know where to look.

If you don''t have kids, then travelling outside of February and Easter is by far your best option, number one because you will save money, but two the pistes are pristine and perfectly quiet. It also means that lift pass prices are likely to be lower and many ski schools will offer discounts in these ''need'' periods such as free introductory lessons or free kids lesson when the adults pay full price.

Another ''desperately seeking'' ...
... section of the market is hotels. Peak season rates will remain high but low season prices will leave you pleasantly surprised. Free breakfasts are likely to be included too. However, it''s not just locally run hotels that are suffering. UK ski tour ops also need to fill their allocation. This results in catered chalet rates falling to all time lows.

Airlines need their planes to be full so are accordingly dropping their rates to entice us back to air travel. For the best prices travel at unsociable hours and be flexible with your travel dates.

Even though travel insurance isn''t a saving in the true meaning of the word, if you don''t buy it then have an accident you are looking at paying hundreds if not thousands for treatment. Don''t be fooled into thinking everything will be covered by your European Heath Insurance card either.

A recent survey by Post Office Travel Insurance found that many people don''t purchase insurance for trips to Europe because they don''t see it as so much of a risk as long haul destinations, maybe because its closer to home and because they think they can rely on the EHIS card. However, 48% of the Post Office''s claims were made during holidays in the French Alps.

If you look at the big picture, paying a few pounds a day for travel insurance is much better than risking a trip without it only to need hospital treatment abroad that will cost a lot more than you bargained for. Augustine Starcic recommends that you always take out cheap holiday insurance, just to be safe.