For many people a gap year is their first taste of organising every aspect or their lives, and while this can be daunting it can also be very rewarding.

One such arrangement that has to be made is the need for some level of insurance. The unexpected is all part of the fun of the gap year experience, but some of the unexpected can be unwelcome!

Accidents can and will happen.

Your insurance cover

You are under no obligation to buy your gap year travel insurance from your travel agent. They are unlikely to be able to offer you the specialist insurance cover you really need at a rate you can afford. Think about what you need from your travel insurance. There is no need to pay for cover you do not need and not have the cover you do need.

What gap year travel insurance do you need?

Think about the countries and regions you are travelling to. Find out exactly what countries your insurance policy will cover. For instance, think about where Europe starts and stops - do you know? Well, your insurance cover will have to start and end somewhere!

The Middle East may also be included so you could well find a policy that is European but may actually cover parts of the Middle East. This could well be cheaper than having to upgrade to worldwide cover.

Policy excesses

Excesses are a common feature of most travel insurance policies. The good news is that on our gap year travel insurance only the first £40 of each claim, with the exception of the liability, air range, travel delay and personal accident and injury benefits, is excluded.

Levels of Covers

1. What cover for which country?

A travel insurance policy is actually a selection of other insurance policies. A basic travel insurance policy will consist of Medical Expenses; Emergency Assistance; Sending you home in an emergency; and Personal Accident.

While this type of policy works well in the UK and Europe it is not, for example, particularly suitable for travel to the United States, because it does not include Personal Liability cover, or legal expenses. As you probably know there is a high level of personal liability lawsuits in the United States and it is regarded as unwise to travel without such cover.

2. What other insurance you have?

If you choose to take the comprehensive insurance then check whether some of your items are already covered by your home contents insurance. There is no point in paying for the same insurance twice.

3. Your attitude to risk

It is unwise to travel without any insurance, but you may decide you do not need every level of insurance so you may be able to tailor the policy to suit your needs. If, as often happens, you change your mind as you are in your travels do remember to adjust your gap year insurance accordingly.