With continued uncertainty surrounding holidays as travel restrictions are gradually lifted, many Scots are struggling to choose between home and away.
While First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed the list of countries free from quarantine measures on Wednesday, the unpredictable nature of the coronavirus pandemic is prompting more and more Scots to stay close to home for a “staycation” instead of going abroad.
According to Finder.com, there are millions of Brits who decide against travel insurance when going abroad.
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The comparison site reported 8.6 million uninsured UK holidaymakers last summer, while almost 500 thousand travellers claimed on travel insurance the year before.
Many Brits are even less inclined to opt for insurance when staying in their home country.
But is now a time we should be investing in travel insurance while staying close to home?
The Scottish Government may well be outlining plans for the gradual re-opening of the hospitality and leisure industry, but the volatility of the coronavirus pandemic and certain UK regions unexpectedly going back into lockdown has taught us that these guidelines are subject to change.
When it comes to staying in Scotland for the holidays, medical cover isn’t so much a concern since NHS care and treatment will still be available.
However, cancelled accommodation, baggage loss and damage are still things “staycationers” can be vulnerable to, making travel insurance a sensible option.
Coronavirus may impact your travel plans, so here are some of the things to bear in mind when deciding on whether or not to pay for travel insurance.
You might need to cancel, even if you’re not planning on going far.
Under the current circumstances there may be factors outwith your control leading to the unavoidable cancellation of your holiday, so it makes sense to opt for cancellation cover.
Even if you successfully arrive at your staycation destination, there’s every chance your trip could be cut short. Whether it’s because of changing guidelines, illness, injury or some other unforeseen problem, travel insurance could help you recover lost money from last-minute changes.
How are you getting to your staycation destination?
We’ve all been subject to a flight, train, bus or ferry cancellation at least once in our lives, and during a global pandemic, it’s even more likely. If you’re planning on taking any mode of transport for your staycation, booking travel insurance could ensure that any money lost from cancelled or delayed trips is reimbursed.
It’s good to plan for lost, stolen or damaged belongings.
While lost bags are less likely if you’re not venturing overseas, things get damaged and go missing all the time. To prepare for that unhappy incident, baggage insurance could cover lost or stolen items such as iPhones, kindles or jewellery.
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Likewise, if something happens and you are responsible for damage to property or injury to another person while away from home, personal liability insurance could cover any legal expenses incurred.
What else might you want to consider?
If you’re a risk-taker and plan to do some extreme sports while you’re away, sports insurance could be the answer to make sure you’re covered if there’s an accident. If golf is more your rhythm, golfing-specific travel insurance could cover the cost of golfing equipment and personal liability.
Remember that rules in the UK vary from nation to nation, so it is wise to check the restrictions for where you are hoping to travel before setting off. If the guidance from local authorities is not to travel, your insurance policy may not be valid.
You can find guidance from the Scotland official tourism board here.
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