Travel insurance isn’t the same, so if a company tries to sell you a one-size-fits-all policy walk away fast. The range now is really quite extensive with options that cover single trip, gap year and annual worldwide travel insurance, policies to suit backpackers or senior, groups or families, specific cover for the corporate traveller or the ski crazy.

A global travel insurance company who have established a strong local reputation, 1 Cover New Zealand (can be contacted via www.1cover.co.nz if you’re interested) p rovide free medical cover for scuba diving, snow skiing including piste, bad weather and avalanche closure plus helicopter rescue, and a range of other sports – though check in and review their policy regarding extreme sports.

Any world wide or global travel insurance should always include unlimited cover for overseas medical and hospital fees, emergency medical assistance and evacuation, cancellation fees and extensive Personal Liability as the absolute basics.

Depending on the company you take out cover with, worldwide travel insurance will start from the necessary basics, usually referred to as Medical Only, and go up to fully comprehensive cover that can include additional cash and hospital expenses; loss of income, permanent disability and accidental death; credit cards, travellers cheques and cash, lost or stolen documents, luggage and personal effects plus delayed luggage, alternative travel, rental vehicle excess, travel delay, even pets. A pretty thorough offering.

Key reasons to read the fine print include:

• Do they cover any pre existing medical conditions – if so which ones and how does this affect the premium

• What personal possessions are covered – do they cover your expensive laptop and what happens if you leave it in your rental car overnight and it’s stolen? Note: most companies have clauses governing what is deemed to be “unattended luggage or belongings”.

• Do they have claim excess (they will) – but how much excess does each section of the policy attract and is it possible to pay an additional fee to waive the excess?

Cheap worldwide travel insurance is easier to pick up than you would imagine – so long as you’re not into canyon swinging from a hot air balloon in cyclonic weather. Travel companies are looking for your international travel insurance business. The critical thing is to connect only with the ones who have outstanding value – and that includes spot on 24/7 emergency contact and response, and efficient friendly customer service and claims.

No, worldwide travel insurance just isn’t the same anymore – it’s better!