Ben's yen to cover all costs

Television presenter Ben Hall has learned by experience the value of shopping around for travel insurance.

Ben, 31, who fronts a new BBC series called Holidays Out, said: "When arranging insurance for a two-week holiday to the States, I saved pounds 20 with just three phone calls. It really does pay to shop around.

"You have to be careful when you take out insurance and bear in mind that someone, somewhere, is making money out if it."

Ben, who is also a presenter on BBC1's Summer Holiday show, said: "It's also important to read the small print. I know it's a real drag but it's important to know what you can claim for."

During a trip to Gambia five years ago, Ben had to make a claim. He said: "My bag went through Gambian Customs and vanished completely.

"The worst thing was that it contained all my rolls of camera film. It's impossible to claim for the value you put on your holiday films. Now I keep all my films in my hand luggage."

When it comes to holiday money, Ben takes a mix. He said: "Taking large amounts of cash is dumb. Travellers cheques are much more secure.

"But you always need some cash when you arrive at your destination. Particularly as you always seem to arrive in the evening when it's harder to change cash."

Ben always checks the charges levied by exchange bureaux abroad before deciding whether to try elsewhere.

He said: "I learnt my lesson the hard way in Greece a few years ago when an exchange bureau put a transaction charge of pounds 10 on each travellers' cheque."

Copyright 1996 MGN LTD
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