Help and Advice

Travel Help & Advice

Even though you may now be comprehensively insured it is still important to make sure that you take care of your possessions and personal safety. All insurance policies require you to take as much care as possible to avoid loss or theft of your possessions or injury to yourself.

After all, while an insurance policy may pay for a new digital camera it can’t replace the photographs you lose. And though your medical care may be paid for the two weeks you have to spend in the hospital with a broken leg, it won’t compare to the holiday you should be having.

Remember: Insurance policies will not pay out unless they have to so make sure you follow any medical advice you are given and if your hotel has a safety deposit box or a safe then use it.

Here’s some general advice so that you can minimise stress and hassle and get on with enjoying your trip:

  • Don’t take anything irreplaceable with you
  • If your hotel has a safe or safety deposit box use it
  • Keep your room locked at all times
  • Take travellers cheques instead of cash
  • Don’t carry all your cash with you
  • Be aware of your safety, don’t take any unnecessary risks just because you are abroad
  • Protect against the sun properly, don’t skimp on sun cream to get a better tan
  • Make sure you know the risks of the area you’re travelling to
  • Avoid drinking tap water if possible
  • Don’t participate in any activities you aren’t covered for
  • Don’t do anything illegal as it’s pretty much guaranteed to void your policy
  • Declare any pre-existing conditions before you leave

And if you have to make a claim…

Should you need to claim on your policy it will go more smoothly if you do the following:

  • Report any loss or theft to the local authorities immediately
  • Keep an itemised list of the items that have been lost or stolen and their approximate value (hopefully you will have left receipts at home to confirm the value)
  • Keep a copy of any policy documents separate from the originals and leave a copy at home with a friend or family member
  • Obtain original bills, invoices and receipts for services and treatment you have received for medical care. Ask the doctor or staff to be as specific as possible about the treatment or medication you were given, date it, sign it and itemise it if possible.
  • Keep a record of all interactions you have with your provider during the claims process from start to finish – dates, times, who you spoke to, etc.

What should you do if you lose your passport?

  1. Report it immediately to the local authorities and obtain a “certificate of loss” or a police report.
  2. Fill out a Lost or Stolen Passport Notification (LS01) form.
  3. Take the completed LS01 form along with the completed police report to the nearest UK British Consulate to apply for a replacement passport – remember to take some identification with you as you will have to prove your identity before you will be issued with a replacement. This may take some time so do it as soon as possible.