It's essential to take out a good travel
insurance policy. Bank and credit cards
(particularly American Express) often have
certain levels of medical or other insurance
included if you use them to pay for your trip.
This can be quite comprehensive, anticipating
anything from lost or stolen baggage to missed
connections. If you have a good "all
risks" home insurance policy it may well
cover your possessions against loss or theft
even when overseas, and many private medical
schemes also cover you when abroad - make sure
you know the procedure and the helpline
number.
If you plan to do some hiking, skiing or
other adventurous sport - not a very
likely prospect in China - you'll probably
have to pay an extra premium; check carefully
that any insurance policy you are considering
will cover you in case of an accident, and
includes a 24-hour emergency contact number
. When choosing any policy, also establish the
level of excess , the initial amount of
any claim that you have to pay. In all cases
of loss or theft of goods, you need to
contact the local police to have a
report made out so that your insurer can
process the claim. For medical claims ,
you'll need to provide supporting bills,
though more comprehensive policies will
arrange for payment for treatment on the spot.
Medical emergencies aside, very few insurers
will pay out at the time of a major expense or
loss; you will usually be reimbursed only
after going home. Keep photocopies of
everything you send to the insurer and note
any time period within which you must lodge
claims.
British and Irish cover
In Britain and Ireland , travel
insurance schemes (from around ฃ60 for one
month to China, ฃ100 for three months) are
sold by almost every travel agent or bank,
and by specialist insurance companies.
You'll find different rates and maximum
periods of insurance apply for students and
depending on your age, but policies issued
by the companies listed in the box on
previous page are all good value. Some also
offer a Frequent Traveller policy which
gives twelve months' worldwide cover for
around ฃ80, though there are time
restrictions of, for instance, a month to
any one trip.
US and Canadian cover
Before buying an insurance policy, check
that you're not already covered.
Canadian
provincial health plans typically
provide some overseas medical coverage,
although they are unlikely to pick up the
full tab in the event of a mishap.
Students
may find that their student health coverage
extends during the vacations and for one
term beyond the date of last enrolment.
Homeowners'
or renters' insurance often covers theft
or loss of documents, money and valuables
while overseas.
After exhausting these possibilities, you
might want to contact a specialist travel
insurance company; your travel agent can
usually recommend one.
Premiums for travel to China start
at around $65 for a two-week trip, rising to
$180 for three months. Note that most North
American travel policies apply only to items
lost, stolen or damaged while in the custody
of an identifiable, responsible third party
- hotel porter, airline, luggage
consignment, etc. Even in these cases you
will have to contact the local police within
a certain time limit to have a complete
report made out so that your insurer can
process the claim.
Australian and New Zealand cover
Travel insurance is available from travel
agents or direct from insurance companies.
Policies are broadly comparable in premium
and coverage: expect to pay around A$150 for
one month, A$260 for two months and up to
A$350 for three months.
