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Why you need travel insurance for your gap year
Travel Insurance may seem like an unnecessary and irritating expense when planning your gap year. However, travel insurance is an essential purchase because anything can happen either before you go away or while you are away, which is out of your control and you would be the one having to foot the bill at the end of the day if you have no travel insurance. How to choose a decent gap year travel insurance policy Most travel insurance providers offer policies designed specifically for gap years. These policies will cover you from anywhere between 1 month and 18 months under the following areas:
- Europe
- Australia and New Zealand
- Worldwide (excluding the US and Canada)
- Worldwide (including the US and Canada)
You may be tempted to purchase the cheapest policy when you are budgeting for your gap year but be aware the policy may not cover certain items and the excess may be large so you end up paying more in the long run. Therefore look at what the different priced policies cover and go for the one which is most suitable for you. There are a whole range of travel insurance providers to choose from.
The Travel Insurance Guide offers information about each provider and provider reviews from people who have bought their insurance:
What to do while you are away to make it easier should you have to make a claim
Ideally you do not want to have to make a claim while on your gap year. However, you should consider the following to make it easier just in case you have to make a claim:
- Make copies of your important documents before you go away such as your passport and travel insurance policy and keep them separate from the originals.
- Try not to carry all of your cash with you at all times.
- Do not take part in any dangerous activities your policy does not cover you for.
- Report lost or stolen possessions to the local authorities within 24 hours of discovering the item is missing.
- Contact your insurance provider as soon as you need to make a claim and inquire what evidence you will need to produce.
- Do not take part in any illegal activities while you are away.
Overall you should take out a decent gap year travel insurance policy before you go away and you should know exactly what the policy covers. If you do this you will be able to relax while you are away, safe in the knowledge you are covered if something unexpected happens. The Travel Insurance Guide has more information and tips for backpackers and long stay trips which you may find helpful.
