Travel World Network

Camping holidays are becoming an increasingly popular way for families and friends to enjoy their free time together, even if they are on a budget. As with any type of self-catering holiday, choosing the right insurance policy is a priority, but with so many camping travel insurance types available, deciding which one to purchase can leave you feeling confused. To help you select a policy which will provide you and your family with adequate cover, read on and discover my top tips.

• Single Trip or Annual Policy?

One of the first things to consider when choosing an insurance policy for your camping holiday is whether you will be taking just one vacation in the year, or whether you go on holiday more often. Insurance brokers offer a variety of policy types, so it is worth shopping around to find one which suits the specific needs of your family – after all, there is no point in adding to your costs by buying a policy which covers you for a whole year, if you are only going away for a long weekend. For my family, who take camping trips in Europe up to three or four times a year, an annual (sometimes called multi-trip) policy is the obvious choice. Not only does the annual policy we choose work out at a lower cost than paying out for individual policies on each trip, but also means that we save time, as we don’t have to call the insurance company every time we travel.

• Is Your Kit Covered?

Many camping enthusiasts buy specialist kit to ensure that they get the best out of their holidays, whether it is a high-quality tent, deckchairs or a portable BBQ, and just like items that you buy for your home these need to be insured. Have you ever thought what would happen if your tent was washed away in a flood, or somebody stole all of your equipment? Fortunately, we have yet to have an experience like this, but have heard stories of holidays spoiled by the theft of uninsured items. This is why you need to look for a specialist camping travel insurance policy, and not rely on your home insurance to cover any losses. As with any contract or agreement, ensure that you read the “small print” and in particular, take note of any exclusions which are listed on the policy before you sign on the dotted line.

• Do You Need Extras?

When you arrange for an insurance policy, it can be tempting to turn down additional extras that the agent offers you, such as health cover. If you are planning to travel within Europe, you will probably already know that the EHIC card supplied by the British government will give you access to reduced cost health care in case of an emergency. However, hospital costs abroad can quickly run into thousands, even for less serious health issues. When you choose your policy, give some serious consideration to adding additional health cover for yourself and your family – and remember, you’ll only ever regret not having insurance when you need it most!