Saving money on your Summer Holidays

It's a wonderful time of year, looking on the internet or browsing the glossy holiday brochures for that perfect break that has been hard earned.

Yes, we can Google locations, hotels or self catering apartments and of course airfares, but wait, please don't book straight away.....   Check with a Travel Agent and ask them for a quote too- it's always worth shopping around and of course make sure that however or whoever you book with they are members of ABTA and ATOL.

Check those 'cheap' flights too... Once you have added seat bookings, credit card charges, food, even luggage to put in the hold - might it be cheaper to book with BA, instead of one of the 'low-cost' carriers.  Add it all up and check, wait and check again.

If staying in the UK and you find 'just what you are looking for', then Google the name of the hotel, or other accommodation, to see if they have their own website and see if the price is cheaper.

Travel Insurance is again an added expense, but definitely a necessity whether staying at home or going abroad. So shop around.

What is definitely essential is The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge. E111 forms have been invalid since January 2006. Holders of E111 forms should apply immediately for the EHIC to maintain the level of cover provided by the scheme.  To apply - https://www.ehic.com.

However, whichever policy you choose, make sure that you have filled in their questionnaire truthfully - especially about pre-existing medical conditions, or else you could find your policy is invalid.

Also, should you have a need to call upon the insurance policy, make sure you read the small print and please don't forget to take the documentation with you.

I went on holiday with my Cousin 5 years ago and whilst we were away sadly her Mum died unexpectedly.   We of course, ran to the airport, got the first flight home and didn't even think about insurance - it was the last thing on our minds, especially at 5am in the morning having been up all night...............

Well, when we came to claiming back on the insurance, several weeks later, my insurance company paid up immediately, but Judy's company didn't - they told her that she should have phoned them before paying for a flight home, so she didn't get a penny!   To add to the annoyance, we had even travelled on a plane that she had booked with in the first place and used their own travel insurance.

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If you have any questions about getting out of debt then please drop me a line or give me a call, I am always happy to chat with you.

Your friend and debt advisor 

Jane Hardy 

One Stop Financial Security 

07768 197507

01276 691215

www.osfs.co.uk

jane@osfs.co.uk