What you can't control

Travelling is unpredictable. From cost to coverage, a complete assessment of travel insurance.

Passengers wait at the airport during an expected delay. You can insure yourself for a single trip or an entire year.

Many of us travel overseas a great deal, not only to our home countries but also on foreign holidays. While travelling, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is an emergency or loss of personal possessions, so everyone should consider having a travel insurance policy. The plans available in the market vary widely, and perhaps the first thing to consider is whether you require insurance for a specific trip, or if an annual policy is more suitable. If you take one annual overseas voyage then a plan that covers you for that journey only, known as a single trip plan, would be cheapest. If however, you travel frequently, whether for business or pleasure, then an annual plan would give the best value for money. Most policies offer a range of duration from five days to 365, so you can choose what best fits your circumstances.

Most insurance companies will accept applications from individuals aged 18 to 65, and plans may include other family members, including children aged six months to 19, or up to 23 in certain cases. The cost will vary depending on a variety of factors, including age, occupation, number of people insured, duration and your travel destination. A peaceful holiday in, say, France, will be considered a lower risk a visit to a country experiencing ongoing terrorist activity or other violence. Holidays during which you participate in what are considered to be high-risk sports, such as skiing or scuba diving, will also attract a higher premium.

The cover offered by each provider will vary, but you will find that the majority of plans will include most of the following conditions: emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, flight delay, cancellation costs, repatriation on death, baggage loss or delay and loss of personal effects. Some plans will also include personal liability cover so that you are insured should you cause an accident and a claim is made against you.

Policy exclusions will usually include existing medical conditions, intentional self-injury, war, flying as a pilot or crew member on any aircraft, and criminal or illegal acts. Note that plans usually have an excess, the initial amount of a claim for which you are liable. In every case, you should refer to the specific policy wording for a full description of benefits and exclusions. The cost will vary widely depending on the plan you require, so it is best to shop around, as some companies offer better rates, for example, for older ages or for activity holidays.

Many insurers now have online quotation systems so you can compare costs and plans from the comfort of your home. If you need to make a claim, you will find it much easier if you keep detailed records of any events, all receipts and bills and policy reports, if relevant. For loss of personal belongings you may need to provide evidence of ownership, such as receipts, bank or credit card statements; even photographic evidence will help.

Insurers expect you to take reasonable care of your belongings, and often deny claims if they suspect baggage has been left unattended. While travel insurance policies cannot guarantee to cover every eventuality, it is sensible to be insured against potential risks, so take a little time to organise suitable cover for you and your family.

Policies can be obtained from general insurance brokers, your bank, or the following insurers: Royal & Sun Alliance www.rsadirect.ae AXA www.axa-gulf.com World Nomads www.worldnomads.com Travel Weyak www.travel.weyak.ae Dubai Islamic Insurance www.aman-diir.ae/ Abu Dhabi National Insurance Co www.adnic.ae