Travel should be the only gap in your education

“A” Level results due out can precipitate a mini-travel boom, says American Express Travel Insurance.

Each year over 100,000 students who apply for university are not accepted for a variety of reasons, including disappointing “A” Level results.

Joanne Field, Marketing Manager, American Express Insurance Services “Students need to be smart about the insurance choices they make to ensure they are well protected. One in four gap year students2 has a bad experience whilst travelling and with over 450 travel insurance policies on the market, they need to educate themselves about the specific gap policies that would best help in a crisis.”

The big three insurance claim areas are medical, lost luggage, cancellation and curtailment. Students should look for significant cover in these three areas plus check the small print for gap insurance which offers:

1. 24 Hour Worldwide Emergency Assistance. American Express has an established global network of English speaking experts ready to offer practical assistance when needed.

2. Full Destination Cover. Insurers offer different priced policy choices typically Europe only, Worldwide and Worldwide excluding North America. Just pay for what you need. American Express Gap Worldwide policy which excludes North America however still allow travellers a 48 hour stopover in the USA at no extra charge.

Top 5 Planned Destinations for Gap Year :

1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. South America
4. Thailand
5. India

Taken from survey of 10,000 American Express Insurance Services Customers May-July 2007

3. A Range of Policy Lengths, so you only pay for what you need. American Express Gap Insurance policies are available for durations of three, six, nine, twelve, fifteen or eighteen months

4. Details of Work cover. If you run out of money and need to work, be aware that work related claims can be automatically excluded – check the small print. With American Express Gap Insurance as long as the work does not involve manual labour, or driving machinery you will be covered.

5. Details of Sports Covered. Insurers are usually very specific about the more adventurous sports they cover, be sure you know what you are covered for before participating in case you need to purchase additional cover. American Express Gap policies include cover for white water rafting for example but for bungee jumping, the Special Sports & Activities option would need to be purchased.