What is Holiday Insurance?

Also known as vacation insurance, holiday insurance is a type of travel insurance coverage that helps to protect individuals and families while they enjoy a trip away from home. Insurance of this type will often include a wide range of benefits, with some aimed at reimbursing insured parties should specific unanticipated events take place during the holiday. Most forms of holiday insurance also include emergency assistance with travel arrangements when circumstances occur that require the insured party to return home earlier than originally expected.

One of the major benefits of holiday insurance is providing assistance when circumstances beyond the control of the insured party result in added expenses or inconvenience for the traveler. For example, if an airline cancels a flight and the traveler must remain at the location overnight, the insurance will often cover the cost of accommodations for the evening. Should the traveler arrive at a destination only to find his or her hotel is overbooked and no rooms are available, the holiday insurance can aid in covering the expenses associated with the reservation and possibly aid in finding other accommodations nearby. With these applications, the coverage helps to ease some of the difficulties that may arise during the holiday and help get the vacation plans back on track.

Some forms of holiday insurance also include medical coverage that may be used in the event the traveler become ill while on the holiday. Typically, the coverage will work in conjunction with any other medical plan currently held by the traveler. In the event that the primary coverage is not recognized in the country where the traveler is currently staying, the medical provisions within the holiday coverage may aid to offset a portion or possibly all the medical costs.

Many holiday insurance plans also provide emergency services that may be used in the event that the trip must be cut short for some reason. This includes covering emergency travel expenses if the insured party is injured and must be transported back to his or her home. Some forms of this coverage also include bereavement benefits that cover costs of cutting a trip short due to the death of a loved one.

Since the scope of coverage will vary from one holiday insurance plan to another, it is important to review all terms within the policy and make sure the coverage is adequate for the type of holiday the traveler has in mind. This is especially important when the vacation involves traveling abroad. Doing so will make it easier to relax and enjoy the time away from home, certain that the insurance will provide protection should any untoward circumstances arise.