No insurance policy can cover you for every eventuality. Anything that is not covered by your travel insurance is referred to as an 'exclusion'. Your policy booklet will indicate which exclusions apply to your insurance policy. Ensure that you read these documents carefully, so that you understand the limitations of your policy. Typical exclusions include: any damage, loss or injury as a result of large-scale exceptional circumstances, such as war, invasion, radiation and pressure waves caused by supersonic aircraft.
Other exclusions include: certain dangerous sports; self-inflicted injury, illness or suicide; illegal actions you commit; travel to an area which you were advised against visiting by the World Health Organisation (WHO); and 'loss of enjoyment'. In addition, most travel insurances will exclude certain medical conditions. If you knew of a medical condition that could lead to a claim, if you were travelling against the advice of a doctor, or travelling for the purpose of receiving medical treatment abroad, you may not be covered.
The exclusions that apply to a particular policy will vary depending on your insurance provider and the type of travel insurance that you purchased. For example, if you took out ski insurance with a specialist travel insurer, the list of exclusions is likely to be smaller than a standard travel insurance policy, because a larger number of possible incidents related to skiing will be covered. Ensure you always check your policy wording to ensure that you are aware of the limitations of your insurance.
Restrictions
Some insurers may refuse to insure you if you are over sixty-five years old. Those insurers that do provide cover usually only do so in their over 65's Travel Insurance policies, although several insurers now offer 'no age limit' for their single trip policies. There are usually lower age limits for travel insurance which covers dangerous sports. For example, some insurers do not offer ski insurance to those over the age of forty-five. Although your insurer should make any restrictions clear, ensure that you are aware of any age restrictions before you apply.
If you have a certain pre-existing medical condition, you may find that some insurers will not cover you. A pre-existing medical condition is anything that you have suffered from in the past or are suffering from currently. Some insurers will refuse to insure you if you have had or are suffering from certain serious conditions, such as cancer. If they do agree to insure you, they may write a 'cancer-related exclusion' into your policy, which means that any claim that is brought about as a result of your cancer would not be covered by your policy. If you find yourself in this situation, ensure that you shop around to find the best deal for your needs at the most competitive price.
