Travel insurance 'not just an optional extra'

Gap year students that are planning on watching matches during this summer's football World Cup in South Africa need to make sure they take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy, according to an industry expert.

Paul Thilo, vice-president of consumer marketing at Direct Travel Insurance, said that the price of a policy is very small when compared to the cost of replacing stolen items and medical bills.

"I would advise football fans heading to South Africa this summer to assess carefully what they wish to be covered for and not simply consider insurance as an optional extra," he added.

Mr Thilo also advised that gap year students need to try and keep hold of receipts, photos or any proof of ownership for most of the items they are taking with them, while any valuables should not be put in their hold luggage when boarding a flight.

Richard Oliver, chief executive of Year Out Group, added that gap year students need to make sure that they are also covered for any activity that they want to do on their gap year abroad, including bungee jumping or quad biking.

Click here for gap year advice.

( Last Updated: 2010-03-11 14:49:13)