Travel insurance tips for holidaymakers

In the light of Hurricane Katrina, travel insurance experts are offering advice on how to make sure that holidaymakers o

Travel Insurance News - 05/09/2005

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In the light of Hurricane Katrina, travel insurance experts are offering advice on how to make sure that holidaymakers optimise their travel insurance.

Most travel companies have a clause that enables holidaymakers to return home if their resort is rendered inhabitable, for whatever reason.

Insurance companies are reinforcing the message that travellers can claim on most policies if a flight is cancelled because of travel to or from an area affected by the hurricane or storm as well as in instances of evacuation.

Holidaymakers cannot make a claim, however, if the hurricane or storm was named before the insurance policy was purchased.

Chris Harvey of Squaremouth.com explains: 'A named event clause exists within most policies to protect the insurance companies by stopping people buying insurance when they know something bad may happen.

'As soon as a tropical depression becomes a tropical storm and gets a name, insurance companies will not provide coverage. This clause is also relevant for other events like terrorism and airline strikes,' he added.

Insurers advise always checking weather reports before travel as well as the security situation of the country being visited.

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