How spending a little more can cost you less while you’re on holiday

You probably don't want to leave home without the right cover.

We spoke to InsureandGo commercial manager Jonathan Etkind to find out more about travel insurance, specifically the additional cover types that he described as “often equivalent to the cost of a meal out.”

1. Cruise cover

A lot of cruise cover benefits might be thought of as “good times” insurance. You won't need it if all goes well - but if you get sick and confined to your room, it can pay out. Similarly, if a shore excursion is cancelled for unforeseen reasons, it can pay off too.

However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer some very important types of cover. As Etkind explains, “Many insurers will offer a specific cruise policy while others offer it as an add-on. Regardless of the provider you select, ensure you’re covered for situations such as missing a port departure or emergency medical transportation as these may not be covered by standard policies.”

2. Backpackers cover

It’s probably worth making very clear that backpackers travel insurance does not remove the exclusion for injuries or loss resulting from being drunk. Instead, it adds cover for a range of other adventure activities and can cost a bit less relative to other cover types.

If you’re going on an adventure holiday, you probably want to look for travel insurance that covers it. You can search for individual sports here and how different insurers cover it. Often things like skydiving, paragliding and similar will only be covered under “adventure pack” add-ons, but InsureandGo has an entire specialised policy type for these, known as “backpackers cover”.

As the insurer explains, “Backpacker policies are often more affordable than one-trip policies for the same period of time and can provide additional cover for extreme activities many standard policies don’t such as skydiving, parachuting and paragliding”.

3. Golf holidays

Golf accidents probably don’t claim too many lives each year, but they do claim a lot of expensive golf clubs. Whether it’s careless baggage handlers, theft or other kinds of damage, the right travel insurance can cover your gear.

If you’ve never seen it for yourself, it might come as a shock just how different the cover for golfing gear can be between insurers.

As Etkind explains: “If you’re planning on taking part in some golfing action, be sure to check if there’s an extra golf protection option... many insurance providers will cover for lost, damaged or stolen equipment if you’ve purchased the right extras as part of your policy.”

Regardless of how accurate the phrase “golfing action” can ever be, it’s definitely sound advice. The right travel insurance can perhaps protect your clubs more securely than the bag itself can.

4. Winter sports

Some will say that you’re only doing it right if you’re constantly on the verge of disaster. However, if you have the right ski cover, your travel insurer probably wouldn’t recommend this because they might have to foot the bill when you put yourself in hospital.

As Etkind says, “the snow can be tricky, even for seasoned veterans, and may see you paying for a trip to the local hospital. Be sure to purchase extra winter protection as part of your policy, as incidents relating to winter sports are often not covered by standard policies”.

While medical cover for snow sports accidents might be the most important part of the policy, we’d also like to point out that it can save you a small fortune if something happens to rental gear.

No two policies are created equal, so if you’re heading to the snow it can be well worth checking how different insurers cover snow sports. If you’re heading off-piste or glacier skiing in particular, cover can vary considerably.

5. Pet care

This isn’t for bringing pets on vacation but is instead to help pay for boarding costs if your return from your travels is delayed. It can even include cover for veterinary expenses if something happens while you’re away and your pet is in the care of a family or friend.

Obviously you’d never want anything to happen to Mittens, but there’s no denying that it would be gratifying to know that your travel insurance can cover vet expenses when your cat-sitting buddy worriedly explains that it’s sick.

However, the cover available can vary and will often only be offered with more comprehensive travel insurance policies. As Etkind says, “By opting for the correct policy, travel insurance can assist with these issues, covering you for these costs, as a number of providers won’t include this as part of a standard policy package”.

• Travel insurance is worth doing right. finder.com.au has helped more than 300,000 Australians find cover, by comparing policies from travel insurance brands all in one place.