Travel Insurance - To Do Before You Go
For your own protection try to make sure the company you book your trip through belongs to a trade organisation such as ABTA or IATA.
Get Adequate Travel Insurance
- Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
- Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
- Make sure it covers you for all activities, including hazardous sports.
- Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
- Take your policy number and 24 hour medical emergency number with you.
- If you have any doubts about your cover, check with us or your insurer.
Take Enough Money for Your Trip
- Where possible use travellers' cheques rather than cash and note the numbers separately.
- Check your credit card is valid and check the expiry date.
- Make sure you have a source of back-up cash.
- Have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one.
Ensure You Have a Valid Passport and the Necessary Visas
- Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date.
- Take a photocopy with you and leave a copy at home.
- Write the full details of your next of kin in your passport.
- Make sure you have valid visas.
- Take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph)
Plan to Stay Healthy
- Check what vaccinations you need with your GP, leaving good time before your travel date.
- Check your medication is legal in the country you are visiting.
- Pack your medication in your hand luggage.
- If taking medication with you, also take the prescription and a GP's letter.
- If travelling within the EEA (European Economic Area) get a European Health Insurance Card from the Department of Health www.ehic.org.uk
- Check to see if extra health precautions are needed for the country you are visiting (e.g. malaria zones)
Know About Where You Are Going
- Make sure you know about local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs.
- Make sure you know about local culture especially relating to dress codes.
- Check relevant guides and the FCO country fact sheets.
- Take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies.
- For more information please go to: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
Plan to Avoid Trouble
- Check the FCO for up-to-date advice and travellers' tips.
- Tell friends and family where you are going.
Leave Copies of Important Information
Leave copies of important information with friends or family:-
- A copy of your passport and details of your next of kin.
- A copy of your insurance document plus the 24 hour medical emergency number.
- A copy of your ticket details.
- A copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail.