Advice on gap year travel insurance

Young people preparing to embark on their gap year abroad are being reminded to buy travel insurance and choose the most appropriate policy on offer.

With the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) reporting that 137,000 students took a year out to travel abroad last year, American Express Travel Insurances has issued advice to ensure 'gappers' protect themselves accordingly.

Gap year students are often too carefree to devote their energies to buying travel insurance, so parents are increasingly purchasing policies for them.

"Not surprisingly many of our gap year policies are bought by parents - who are more experienced about what can happen, and what sort of help might be needed should disaster strike," commented Joanne Field, marketing manager at American Express Travel Insurance.

American Express has issued the following advice to gap year travellers: purchase cover that is suitable for an extended trip, with special extended travel cover available for three, six, 12 and 18 months' duration; check the cover extends to all the countries you wish to visit ? most policies have geographical boundaries; check your desired countries are safe to visit on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's website.

It also recommends checking your policy covers adventure sports such as bungee jumping or snowboarding, and last but definitely not least, read the small print.