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Hints
& Tips On Choosing Travellers Insurance
This page will convey useful
information and tips for Groups and Individual Travellers.
This is by no means exhaustive or presented in the form
of advice other than as general guidelines and hints.
GENERAL MEDICAL MATTERS
If you are taking regular
medication, it is wise to make a note of any pills or medicines
you are taking with you. Also note the dose that you take
and regularity with which you take the medicines. If you
suffer from an allergy, keep a note of this about you too.
If you have had any serious medical problems, it would be
prudent to carry a doctors letter detailing the problems
and any necessary precautions related to that history.
IMMUNISATIONS
To find out which immunisations
are recommended for your journey and destination, you can
contact your doctor. Common immunisations are for with tetanus
and polio. In some countries, Yellow Fever immunisation
is mandatory and a relevant certificate will be required
to gain entry. If you are travelling to an area where malaria
is a risk, you should take appropriate action to reduce
the risk of infection through antimalarial tablets and of
course, try to avoid mosquito bites! Medication using begins
before you embark on your journey, sometimes as much as
3 weeks prior and should continue for a specified period
after you have left the last malarial area visited.
E111 Form
The European Economic Area
(EEA) consists of the 15 member states of the European Community
plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. If you or any of
your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident
during a visit to any of these countries, free or reduced-cost
emergency treatment is available – in most cases on
production of a valid Form E111. Only state-provided emergency
treatment is covered, and you will receive treatment on
the same terms as nationals of the country you are visiting.
Private treatment is generally not covered, and state-provided
treatment may not cover all of the things that you would
expect to receive free of charge from the NHS.
Go to any main post office
or travel agent and ask for a leaflet "Health Advice
for Travellers". Fill in the application form at the
back of the booklet as well as form E111 itself, in accordance
with the instructions in the booklet. Hand over the completed
forms at the post office where the form E111 will be stamped
and signed and returned to you. The E111 is free; you will
not have to pay for its issue. Keep it safe, preferably
with your passport, and carry it with you when travelling
within the EEA.
Who will be covered on E111?
Form E111 covers you, your
spouse and your dependant children up to the age of 16,
or 19 if they are still in full time education. It will
also cover an unmarried partner if you have children together.
When your children pass these ages they can get an E111
in their own right and you should apply for another form
without the children included. Your children generally have
to be included as dependants on your E111, but will qualify
in their own right if they meet the eligibility conditions
but you do not. Foster parents can include foster children
on their own E111.
Always keep a photocopy of
your E111 form with the original. This is important if you
apply for treatment in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands
and Spain as a photocopy is required as well as your original
E111. You will be given back your E111 but the photocopy
will be kept. However, in some countries the original E111
may be kept by the authorities.
CHARGES FOR TREATMENT
Each of the EEA countries
has its own rules for state medical provision. In some,
treatment is free. In some, you have to pay part of the
cost. In others, you have to pay the full cost and then
claim a full or partial refund.
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 the 24-hour emergency number
with you.
PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
It is the responsibility of every Insured Traveller to obtain
either Verbal or Written confirmation from their normal
medical practioner that there is no reason why they should
not travel. If in doubt, a quick call to the Insurer for
advice is recommended for clarification.
If you have any doubts about
your cover, check with your insurer. 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 at least six
weeks before you travel.
Check the advice at http://www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice or
http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/
Check if 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
an E111 from the Post Office. (Countries in the EEA (European
Economic Area) are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden
and the 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.
Get a good guide book and look at the FCO country fact sheets.
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.
Take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies. Make
sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and, if flying,
make sure your holiday package is ATOL protected.
Plan ahead to avoid trouble.
Check the FCO up-to-date travel advice and travellers' tips.
Tell friends and family where you are going.
Contact family and friends if trouble flares up. Take enough
money for your trip.
Check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your
credit or debit card(s).
Make sure you have back-up funds such as travellers cheques,
sterling or US dollars.
Have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one. Leave
copies of important information with family and friends.
A copy of your passport and details of your next of kin
A copy of your insurance document plus the 24-hour emergency
number.
A copy of your ticket details.
A copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such
as e-mail.
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