Private health insurance ...

Saga promotes staycationers' travel insurance

Private health insurance is one of those things that can give you peace of mind thanks to its many advantages, including being able to choose your own hospital, thereby avoiding NHS waiting lists, and enjoying private hospital rooms.

The same can be said of travel insurance, which is an essential whenever travelling away from home. However, many people often buy cover just for overseas trips and fail to do so when taking domestic holidays or 'staycations'.

But having travel insurance doesn't necessarily mean that you will enjoy the same cover when on a staycation as when abroad. According to Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Services, it's vital to check the small print as this is not always the case.

"Whilst the NHS meet medical costs in the UK, if you're admitted to a hospital many miles from home, many policies simply don't cover the costs for a loved one to travel and remain with you throughout," he explains.

"To take this worry out of travelling, we have included this cover as standard within our travel insurance policies to provide peace of mind to the many thousands of over-50s who choose to take breaks in the UK."

At £5,000 for "reasonable extra charges", the firm provides the highest protection in the market for transport and accommodation, with rival Direct Line offering just £2,000 worth of cover for the same.

Saga also beats M&S and John Lewis when it comes to kennel and cattery costs, with additional fees up to £300 being covered - the highest in the market. This means that pet owners need not worry too much should the unexpected happen while away.