You’re patting yourself on the back for doing what’s responsible, by purchasing travel insurance you’ve given yourself and your loved ones the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered.
In the event of an accident you are covered, your things are stolen, you are covered even if the vacation is cancelled, you are covered. Now that’s peace of mind, or is it; Is there a clause hidden in the fine print that could actually “find you out”? The bargain you thought you got by combining your travel insurance with your vacation package may not seem so impressive, if in the unfortunate event that you need to claim for your stolen belongings, the company begins to question the credibility of your claims and even the claims. completely reject.
If you haven’t taken the time to read the fine print on your policy, you may be in for a bit of a surprise if something goes wrong with your vacation. There are some standard conditions when it comes to the fine print of travel insurance, what will and will not be covered and under what circumstances those items will not be covered. That travel insurance has strings attached is not something your average traveler is aware of, most assume that once your insurance says it covers your items in the event of theft, you are fully covered against all forms of theft. Therein lies the source of most complaints filed against insurance companies that deny such a claim.
Imagine, if you will, that you have given yourself a convertible rental car during your vacation; You are driving with the roof down enjoying the sunlight hitting your shoulders. Then suddenly, as you stop at the light, someone approaches and grabs your bag from the passenger seat, before you open your mouth to yell that the lights have changed and he takes your bag with your bag, the key to the hotel room and possibly your passport comfortably housed in its silk-lined, hand-stitched organic leather frame.
Clearly that would be considered theft; however, in the past, some companies have viewed such behavior as ‘negligent’ and have therefore refused to honor the claim. By lowering the roof of your vehicle, you increased your risk of being a victim of crime and increased the likelihood that you will be the cause of an accident, as removing the roof increases your exposure to the elements and their effects: heat stroke, exhaustion from heat, among others. but some Some insurers may have a clause in their coverage that is specific to convertible drivers and their exclusions may make for interesting reading, preferably before purchasing the policy.
By reading the policy document in its entirety, you will be aware of any conditions related to stolen property that may affect the choices you make regarding the possessions you choose to take with you on vacation. Insurers expect you to value your property enough to take care of it, if the actions that led to your theft indicate that you did not in fact take reasonable care of your property, the insurer may not pay.
Before you travel, you may wonder if you need to take an expensive watch with you on your travels, if it’s not essential, it’s best to leave the item at home. Similarly, if you’re just going to the pool, do you need to bring your bag complete with your purse and passport? Wouldn’t you be able to leave such items locked up in your room safe or if one is not available in the hotel safe? If the answer is yes, then you should do so, rather than risk having your personal belongings stolen while you tan.