This guest post was written by the staff of World First Travel Insurance
You might think that staying safe abroad is a doddle. Most people do. After all, what could possibly go wrong on holiday? It’s a time for relaxing and enjoying yourself, not worrying about the unexpected. Right? Unfortunately, as travel insurers, we know that the unexpected happens. The good news is that a little forward-planning – and yes, we mean a little – goes a long way to making sure your holiday is the peaceful, hassle-free break you’re looking for. Here are some tips on preparing for a trip to Europe.
You might think that staying safe abroad is a doddle. Most people do. After all, what could possibly go wrong on holiday? It’s a time for relaxing and enjoying yourself, not worrying about the unexpected. Right? Unfortunately, as travel insurers, we know that the unexpected happens. The good news is that a little forward-planning – and yes, we mean a little – goes a long way to making sure your holiday is the peaceful, hassle-free break you’re looking for. Here are some tips on preparing for a trip to Europe.
Don’t flash your camera. Or anything else
Sauntering through the city streets with your Nikon slung casually over your shoulder might make it easy to catch that impromptu snap. But it also makes it easy for a petty criminal to make off with your prized possession. And if there’s one thing we Brits are good at abroad, it’s standing out as tourists. So do what you can to keep your valuables discreet and inaccessible.
If you get sick, show your EHIC
If you’re going to Europe you’ll need to make sure you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It’s the replacement of the old E111 and entitles you to the same level of free medical care as the locals of the country you are visiting receive. Just bear in mind that not all medical treatment is covered by the EHIC. For that, you need travel insurance. We’ll tell you more in a moment.
Forewarned is forearmed...
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has a website where you can get up to date travel and safety advice that’s specific to your destination. Is the local water safe to drink? What are the numbers for the emergency services? Are there any unusual local customs you should know about? The travel advice section on the FCO website will tell you. So you can hit the ground running when you arrive.
Identity crisis: what happens if you lose your passport?
Obviously, your holiday’s going to be pretty short-lived if you leave home without your passport. But what happens if your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad? Firstly, don’t panic. Your local British Consulate will be able to help. (More details on the FCO website.) You can help yourself by taking a photocopy of your passport with you and, if you can, securely storing a digital copy of your passport identification page online.
Remember your travel insurance
Good travel insurance is a holiday essential. It should give you cover for medical treatment, holiday cancellation, theft and more. But don’t just think travel insurance is about buying the cheapest policy and automatically being covered for everything. That’s simply not the case. However, if you know what to look for and are prepared to spend half an hour shopping around, you can get the cover that’s perfect for you, your holiday and your wallet. Take a look at our guide to finding the perfect travel insurance policy
About the author: This guest post was written by World First Travel Insurance, providers of specialist cover to travel-lovers across the UK. They have made their name based on expert cover for pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer and HIV, and their policies automatically include cover for over 75 sports and activities.
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