Travel insurance for your trip to Venice

When you’re planning a holiday, the last thing you want to think about is what might go wrong while you’re abroad. But being prepared for the worst case scenario will give you the peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy your trip, and that’s why it’s so important to make sure you take out holiday insurance before you head off to explore beautiful Venice. Here’s what you should think about when you’re deciding which policy to go for.

What is travel insurance for?

Travel insurance is there to help you cover unexpected costs from things going wrong when you’re on holiday. For example, Venice is famously photogenic, but what happens if you drop your camera in the canal when you’re trying to take the perfect photo? Or if you trip in a cobbled street and need medical attention?

What to include on your holiday insurance policy

You can get insurance cover for virtually any scenario that might unfold when you’re on holiday, but the main things to consider including on your policy are:

• Cancellation: if your holiday is cancelled or cut short for any reason, this will allow you to recover the costs. The amount should be the total cost of your holiday, and you should take out insurance as early as possible in case your trip is cancelled before you go.
• Medical expenses: hospital bills can add up to big money if you’re injured or fall ill when you’re abroad, so it’s recommended that you take out £2 million in medical cover as part of your travel insurance policy.
• Delays: you can choose to include cover to compensate you for flight delays of more than 12 hours.
• Baggage and belongings: this covers the cost of replacing lost, stolen or damaged belongings, such as your luggage, handbag or camera. You can also include accidental damage.
• Emergency cover: if you like the sound of a 24-hour hotline to call in the event of something going wrong, this may be worth adding to your policy.

If you’re travelling from UK or any EU country, don’t forget that you can also take a European Health Insurance Card, which entitles you to free healthcare and medical treatment in state hospitals when you’re travelling in the EU. However, this won’t cover the cost of getting you home if you need to be airlifted out, so you’ll need travel insurance as well.

Finding the right travel insurance

Price comparison sites are a great place to find the best deals on travel insurance. Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s worth reading the fine print; you might find that you’re not covered for existing medical conditions, or if you’re pregnant beyond a certain number of weeks.
The cost of a travel insurance policy varies depending on numerous factors, such as your destination, age and the length and cost of your holiday. The amount of excess you’re prepared to pay will also affect the cost of your policy. You could save money by taking out a multi-trip or annual policy if you’re taking more than one trip in the next few months, so take the time to shop around and you’re sure to find a deal that’s right for you. With that taken care of, all you need to do is look forward to your holiday in Venice!