If you have chosen to build your own holiday rather than purchase a package deal, the chances are that you know what you want from every aspect of the trip. You have pared down the cost of your holiday to include only those items that are absolutely necessary. So why do you need DIY holiday cover?

Peace of mind

If you have adequate travel insurance, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that whatever happens, you should not have to spend any more money to have the kind of holiday you booked. The point of insurance is to take the risk of unforeseen expenses (extra flights, alternative accommodation) and neutralise it as the insurer will typically help towards these costs (subject to a successful claim of course).

Medical costs

For most European travel, the European Health Insurance Card ensures that you will receive medical treatment in your holiday destination on the same basis as the nationals of the country you are in. However, not all treatment abroad is free, and without a medical element of travel insurance to “top up” this entitlement, you could be faced with a costly bill for prescriptions, hospital stays and repatriation to the UK if necessary.

Many insurers require their clients to fill in a health questionnaire before they are able to offer cover. It is particularly important to offer full information about any pre-existing health conditions on such a questionnaire. If an existing health issue is omitted from the form, the insurer could hold the policy to be void if you claim for a medical issue.

Travel

Flying is said to be one of the safest methods of transport available, but it is also prone to delays and cancellations. Smaller airline businesses can also be vulnerable to collapse. This could be of concern when you book a flight a long time in advance – much can happen to a business in a few months, especially in a challenging economic climate. So if the airline becomes insolvent, where does that leave you? Without insurance, you may have to make other arrangements and pay for these out of your own pocket. Or if you cannot afford that, you might have to forego your holiday.

Accommodation

If you were unlucky enough to find yourself in a hotel fire, flood or some other natural disaster, you would have to find alternative accommodation as soon as possible. Without travel insurance, the choice you’d face would be to go home, or pay for the second hotel yourself. On the other hand, if you have included this eventuality in your DIY holiday cover, typically you can simply telephone your provider, who should tell you where you will be spending the rest of your stay.

If you have researched, designed and paid for your holiday by yourself, the chances are that you are seasoned traveller. If that is the case, you could consider an annual, multi trip policy rather than a single trip arrangement. Depending on the number of trips you make per year, an annual policy might work out as a better priced option for your DIY holiday cover.