Travel Insurance – 5 Tips to Avoid Hefty Bills Abroad
Travellers are more aware nowadays than ever before of the importance of taking out travel insurance before a trip. Most travels are likely to go smoothly, but why take a chance and risk ruining that much-needed holiday.
A variety of travel mishaps and problems have dominated the news in the past few years and the importance of having travel insurance, as well as understanding your rights, has never been more in people’s minds. Here are a few tips to consider before planning your next trip:
Tip No. 1 – Check that your travel insurance policy covers all your planned activities
Not all activities are covered under all policies, so this is important. If you are on a package holiday and choose to engage in activities outside those included you may find they are not covered unless you have taken out separate travel insurance. However, beware of travel insurance that seems very cheap or is offered as an incentive as the levels of cover may have been reduced – or the excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) increased. Your travel insurance policy should include a list of covered activities, such as elephant rides, scuba diving, bungee jumps, etc. Never assume that everything is automatically covered!
Tip No. 2 – Check that your policy includes adequate medical cover, liability and legal expenses
If you pick up a nasty stomach bug it could potentially put you in hospital. If you trip and break a leg, or sustain a serious injury it could result in very high medical bills for hospital treatment. If you cause injury to another person you could be liable and incur legal costs. If an injury results in medical repatriation to bring you home by air ambulance the need for additional seats on the plane, and/or medical escort, could set you back many thousands of pounds. Your consulate or the airline does not cover these costs. Someone has to pay and – without insurance – that someone is you, or your unsuspecting family or loved ones.
As well as adequate travel and medical insurance, always check that your policy includes cover for air ambulance and medical repatriation. This is vital.
Air ambulance fees to bring you back to the UK from your holiday destination could potentially cost thousands of pounds alone, and up to a staggering £50,000 from the USA! If it is necessary to fly you home on a stretcher with a medical escort the fees from even closer holiday destinations could be almost as financially devastating.
Tip No. 3 – Obtain a European Health Insurance Card
If you live in a EU country and are travelling within the European Union apply for the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and carry it with you. Depending on the country, it entitles you to free or reduced-cost emergency treatment on the same basis as a national of that country, in a state-run facility (not private). The EHIC should not be used instead of travel insurance, but will save you a lot of expense and inconvenience if you should sustain an injury or become sick while travelling. It is important to realise that the EHIC does not cover anything much other than emergency medical care. It does not cover repatriation to the UK or air ambulance costs. You will need travel insurance to cover an array of travel problems, such as non-urgent medical care, ongoing treatment, lost luggage, missed flights, scheduled airline failure, etc.
Tip No. 4 – Do Your Homework!
Research has shown that few people actually take the time to research the local laws and customs of their destination country before they set off. Awareness of potential pitfalls could save a lot of expense and grief. For example, do you know your destination country’s rules for a single adult travelling with a child? Do you know which over-the-counter medicines you can and cannot legally take into the country? Do you know the basic rules of the road before driving in another country? The purchase of a good travel guidebook, or time spent reviewing travel advice provided online, such as on the Foreign Office website could help you avoid becoming the victim of a scam, or being arrested or fined for violating a local law that you were not aware of.
Tip No.5 – Make a note of Consulate/Embassy and Emergency Numbers
Before you travel, why not programme emergency numbers into your mobile phone and also keep a note of them with your travel documents. Having the number for the local emergency services programmed into your mobile phone could save time in the event of a robbery or accident – and even save lives. Consider registering with the Foreign Office ‘Locate’ service (or your own government’s equivalent) to better enable the authorities to assist you if an emergency should arise. Their assistance in contacting friends and relatives would be a very welcome lifeline if needed and save you time, frustration, and expense.
It is time to be an educated traveller, as well as a savvy one. Why not pass these tips along to your family and friends. Remind them to take out travel insurance and do all they can to protect themselves and avoid unnecessary and hefty bills on their travels.
How the Global Recession Has Changed the Hotel Industry
The global recession has changed the hotel industry in the UK and other countries in a manner similar to the impact upon other travel related industries. The brunt of the recession has settled on the mid-market brands. Business for budget brands such as Holiday Inn Express, Travelodge and Premier Inn has actually increased.
Research indicates a change in holiday plans from long stays away from home to shorter stays nearby at budget hotels and holiday camps. Rapid growth is occurring in the short break market for persons staying from one to four nights. This rise in room nights over the past few years is not large enough to offset the long stay market losses.
Other general economic factors also affect the UK hotel industry. Bad weather, the credit crunch and a decline in jobs work against the industry as holiday travel is curtailed or eliminated. Business travellers are switching to budget hotel brands. This trend can be directly correlated to the timing of the economic downturn beginning in 2008. In a positive reaction, the budget hotel brands have worked hard to improve their offerings to compete with the mid-market brands. Guests can get much better deals than previously. Business brand awareness has been converting to membership in new loyalty programmes.
The Internet benefits the hotel industry because booking rooms is easier. It is a way for brands to reach out to business guests. Guests use hotel websites for information about best deals and to book rooms online. Generic travel websites like Yahoo! Travel, Travel.com or hotels.com are most frequently used by potential guests.
Hotel loyalty programmes are another method to entice guests to book their holidays at all types of hotels. Over half of frequent business guests belong to some loyalty programme that offers special benefits to customers. Economically strapped travellers want to be rewarded for their loyalty. Many cheap hotel chains are now offering superior rewards, upgrades and extra amenities just to attract entry level customers.
Maintaining consistent service and quality standards is essential to combat economic woes. Excellent service, appropriate location and good value are top priorities when guests book rooms at luxury or cheap hotels.
Discover the Best 7 Places to Travel Alone
Some say that traveling alone is the only way to go. Some of the best places to travel alone to are the same as any other place, it’s what you do when you get there that matters. The advantages are endless-go where ever you want when you want to, do whatever activity you want, and spend only a little bit of money.
One of the best places to travel alone to is Costa Rica. The people are very friendly, the beaches are gorgeous, the mountains are beautiful, and they have very nice accommodations, great food and a great climate. Although sometimes a single woman will draw an inquisitive look now and then.
Another city to visit is Prague in the Czech Republic because it’s a very historical city. The old world architecture is awesome. The city is a treasure trove, with museums, music, art galleries and theaters. Some say Prague is best experienced if you’re with a lover since it’s very romantic, but it’s ok to be alone.
Some say one of the best places to travel alone to is Ireland in the off-season. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of other vacationers, April to October, is best time to travel to go. Sign up for a Celtic Spirit Journey with international teacher and writer, Mara Freeman, it is enlightening!
Rome is one of the most beautiful places you can ever visit, full of history, arts, and culture. The best way to enjoy the Eternal City is to hire a local Official Tour Guide which will lead you through its hidden and captivating treasures.
If you’re into adventure, then you must visit Alaska. There is something for everybody, the scenery is stunning, and the locals really try to make your visit special. Since Alaska is known for its population of bears, you don’t want to get lost, so book a tour guide to show you the sights.
Until you have had a gondola ride on the Venice canal, you haven’t ridden anything! Italy is one of the best places to travel alone because if you pick the gondola with a musician on it, you’ll have the pleasure of some very fine music while you take in all the glorious sights of Venice.
For the shopping and cuisine alone, New York City is worth experiencing. The Broadway shows, visiting Times Square, the shopping and climbing to the top of the Empire State Building is well worth the money you’ll spend there.
The most important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself, keep safe and buy a lot of souvenirs