Posts Tagged ‘comprehensive travel insurance’

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Have you got the BBQ Blues?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Ok, so the UK weather has been typically temperamental so far this year. We have had some lovely, long hot days, but also more than our fair share of rain. With the school summer holidays now upon us, the question is, will there be lots more sunshine to enjoy?

 Given the ups and downs of the weather then, it is quite surprising then that many Brits are postponing their summer holidays until the Autumn, because they don’t want to miss sunny weather at home, according to this travel agents survey. (although to be fair, I think at the time this survey was done, we had been having a very hot and sunny spell!)

So why this change? It seems we want to make the best of the UK weather and enjoy those British BBQs, beaches and beer gardens! A lot of the time, this does seem like a good plan. After all, there has been numerous instances over the last few months when  the UK weather has been better than in the Mediterranean. Going abroad in the Autumn or winter means you can avoid those peak periods, high prices,  and stifling heat, that can occur in July and August.

travelling with medical conditions

Do you have a holiday abroad booked over the summer, or are you waiting until the Autumn?

So what are the main reasons for saving that holiday until the Autumn, according to the survey of 1092 people? Well, the site asked respondents ‘Are you holidaying later than normal this year, for example in autumn or winter, instead of summer?’ Some 56% of respondents said they were.

The reasons broke down as follows:

  • Cheaper holidays later in the year: 42%
  • Expecting UK summer to be hot: 37%
  • Due to work (e.g. holiday availability): 21%
  • No particular reason: 19%
  • Have longer to save up money: 8%
  • Other: 5%

So have you booked a holiday yet? Are you hoping to make the most of the good weather in the UK (and have more time to save up) and going away in the Autumn instead? This can make particular sense if you have a medical condition, like Arthritis – you can benefit from the milder weather here over the summer, and then when it starts to get colder in the UK, enjoy a holiday abroad (Remember, if you do have a medical condition like Arthritis, you will need to make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers your conditions.)

So for those who have a holiday booked in the Autumn, let’s hope the British weather is not too disappointing for the rest of the summer. And for those who DO have a holiday abroad booked over the summer, I hope you don’t get too jealous if we have lovely weather at home too!

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Feeling inspired by the Tour de France?

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

You have probably all heard of the Tour de France, and the ubiquitous yellow jersey which runs throughout the month of July. But in the same way Wimbledon can get you in the mood for playing tennis, and the Marathon can tempt you to take up running, how are you feeling about cycling right now?

cycling holiday travel insurance

Have you ever considered a cycling holiday?

 

The Tour de France runs from Saturday July 2rd to Sunday July 24th and will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,430.5 kilometres. The race is designed to cover a range of different terrains, from downhill to very steep (the race is in the Pyrenees), to a final stretch facing the sea, exposed to the wind! The route of the 2011 Tour has been determined with two objectives in mind: to set the pace from the beginning of the race and maintain suspense right up until the very end.

So has the race got you feeling inspired to take up cycling again?  Do you have dreams of wearing that yellow jersey? Well, if you plan on incorporating a little cycling or some other type of biking activity into your holiday, here are our thoughts…

  1. Cycling is good for you – but you knew that already. However, we are all so busy that it can sometime be hard to find the time to cycle. This is why you might want to consider a cycling holiday to get you back into the swing of things and then you can try to keep it up when you get home. So what are the fitness benefits? Well, cycling strengthens the cardiovascular system and burns off the calories, so your  stamina and fitness will increase. It also improves breathing quality. A strong pair of lungs is essential in pumping oxygen round the blood and, in turn, energising leg muscles over a lengthy period when cycling. With constant bike exercise, your lung capacity will improve. Cycling also builds leg muscle strength –  your quad, calf and glut muscles will all tone up
  2. Enjoying the great outdoors. We know how much better we feel when we have been outside in the fresh air, and what better way to do this than on a bike? It can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety and promote psychological well-being
  3. Reduced risk of injury. Cycling, like swimming, is not a weight bearing form of exercise, meaning it does not require the whole body to be supported while you do it. With the pressure being taken off your joints, it reduces the risk of injury.

Ok so cycling is good for fitness, and good for your psychological well being – it’s a no brainer really. So how could you incorporate cycling into your holiday?

  • Consider what kind of cycling holiday you might enjoy – would you fancy cycling along the beach, in a forest, or be really hard-core and head up the mountains? What about a mountain biking holiday, in the Alps or the Pyrenees, for example. If you like the idea of a cycling holiday, but not all the ‘uphill part’, then you can also go on a holiday somewhere a little flatter like Holland. Either way, cycling can be a lovely way to get fit while enjoying the stunning scenery of your chosen destination. For family holidays, there are lots of different options to carry the little ones.
  • Consider whether you will want to cycle the holiday or whether you would want some time out to relax on a beach as well and plan your trip accordingly
  • Would you want to transport your own bikes, or just rent out bikes while you are away?
  • Make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you just in case of any problems, and check the details of your insurance cover to make sure that you are covered for cycling or any sporting activities you have planned. If you are not sure, check with your travel insurance provider and they should be able to help you

 Do let us know of any cycling holiday experiences in the comments box below.

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5 Popular misconceptions about travel insurance

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Insurance of any kind can be quite a complicated thing – there are often lots of jargon terms used and understanding the levels of cover, and excesses etc, can be quite tricky. The AllClear Jargon Buster could help you here, but to help you even more, we wanted to put to rest some of the popular misconceptions about travel insurance.

Misconception 1: “If I don’t tell my insurers about my medical conditions they won’t find out”

Reality: If you do not tell your travel insurance provider about a pre-existing medical condition, then you will not be covered for any claim arising from or related to the condition. If you then need medical treatment abroad, this could work out very expensive. Make sure you get comprehensive travel insurance that includes your existing medical conditions.

Misconception 2:  “You don’t need travel insurance in Europe if you have an EHIC card”

Reality: Even if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you’re not fully covered and should still take out travel insurance. This is based on official guidance from the FCO.

Why is that? An EHIC does not mean you are insured. Basically there are restrictions on the treatment available with an EHIC:

  • Few EU countries pay the full cost of medical treatment, even under the European Union’s healthcare arrangements. You still need sufficient travel insurance to cover healthcare costs.
  • In some countries, like Greece, the health service only covers medical treatment, and will not extend to feeding and personal care. But if you have travel insurance, this part of your healthcare will be covered by your travel insurance.
  • If you need an air ambulance home or you can’t travel home on your booked ticket, you could still face a bill of thousands. Just a simple broken ankle, for example, will often mean a medical escort home (usually required by the airline in case of complications in flight) and a first class seat for extra leg room.
  • You will not be covered if you  need extra accommodation to stay with a sick relative

    • 

Misconception 3: “I’ve got annual insurance so I’m covered for everything”

Reality: This is just not true. For example, even if you have annual travel insurance, you will only have winter sports cover if you have added it separately. This blog explains more.

You also need to check two things. First, does your policy have a limit on the number of days you can ski a year? Second, does your policy cover you for where you want to ski?

Misconception 4: “My travel insurance will cover all my costs”

Reality: Make sure you check your policy limits before you buy, as there will be maximum limits on payouts. Also, you will often need to pay an excess (The portion of a claim which must be paid by you, the policy holder). Remember to check the excesses in the policy booklet before you actually buy the policy.

Medical treatment abroad can be very expensive (particularly in certain countries like the USA) so make sure you have sufficient medical expenses cover – many will cover you for millions.

In the same way, check the maximum payout value for cancellation cover. If you are going on a luxury holiday, you may find that the cost of your holiday is more expensive than the standard payout offered in your policy, so make sure you check if you are covered. Some travel insurance providers may offer additional cancellation cover for these circumstances, like AllClear Cruise.

 Misconception 5: “I need to allow an extra few days for my travel insurance, just in case the return flight is delayed”

 Reality:  This is incorrect, you are normally covered by your travel insurance if your flight is delayed. You just need to use the actual dates of your holiday.

Remember, if you are in any doubt about what you are covered for, find out before you go from your travel insurance provider. Also, you can ask any questions below, and we will do our very best to help…

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Stay healthy on your hols!

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

We are approaching the summer school holidays, the busiest time of the year for us Brits to go on holiday. Time for lots of sun, sea, and sand.

But today, I wanted to talk to you a little more about travelling to these exotic destinations. How many times have you noticed that you get off the plane at your destination, or return home, with a little case of the sniffles. Well, that’s because, aircraft cabins are a breeding ground for cold viruses and other germs (the Times article)

So given that many of us will be jetting abroad over the next few weeks, I thought now would be a good time to let you know how to keep these germs at bay.

Unfortunately, the cabin of an aircraft is the perfect environment for lots of different bacteria and viruses that cause the common cold. Hundreds of passengers in a relatively confined space, with restricted ventilation, means it is inevitable that you end up breathing in air that has recently been exhaled by your travelling companions. Modern airliners recycle as much as 50% of the cabin air to improve engine efficiency and save fuel.

The half that is recycled passes through microfilters designed to remove airborne particles.  But viruses are tiny and some inevitably slip through even when the filters are working at peak efficiency. Older airliners may circulate fresh air, but these means bigger costs, and more fuel usage, to condition this air. However, research doesn’t seem to back the widely held belief that the cost-cutting behind air recirculation in modern planes is putting passengers at greater risk of infections. One study compared infection rates in people flying on planes that use recycled air compared with those using only fresh air. Researchers from the University of California followed more than 1,500 travellers on the two different types of aircraft and found similar reported rates of colds in the week after the trip — 19% on the planes that recirculated air; 21% on those that didn’t.

So catching a cold on a plane doesn’t seem to be a risk of air conditioning. However, regardless of the mechanism behind catching a cold on a plane, it appears to be an unavoidable complication of sitting in a confined space with hundreds of other people.

So what can you do to try and protect yourself from catching these colds?

There is very little that you can do about picking up airborne viruses. You could try using nasal sprays containing zinc, but trials suggest that, if they do help, the protective effect against colds is likely to be very small.  

However, while you be able to do little about air-borne viruses, good basic hygiene can reduce the risk of picking viruses or bacteria up from contaminated surfaces such as armrests, door handles, taps and flushes. Wash your hands carefully after using the toilet and before eating, and pack alcohol-based hand sanitisers in your hand baggage. You can also carry antibacterial wipes and use these to clean the plastic armrests and tray-table.

So before you go jetting off on your holidays, just remember these few tips that may help (and some more here), and make sure you have travel insurance to cover you, just in case of a more serious illness than a cold.

But the important thing to remember is that, once that plane journey is finished, you then have that lovely holiday to look forward to! So all that remains to say is, if you do have a holiday booked over the summer holidays, I hope you have a fantastic time.

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Dealing with the VAT increase

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
VAT increase travel insurance

What does the VAT increase mean for Travel insurance?

Ok so we could be forgiven for thinking that we have settled in now to the New Year, it is mid-January after all. We are coping with the miserable weather, and the long dark days back at work. But there is one thing that we still all have to moan about, and that is VAT.

Since 4th Jan the increase has been in force, and unfortunately this applies to travel insurance too where the particular tax (insurance premium tax IPT) has increased to 20%.

But even though the price has increased, it is still as important as ever to make sure that you have adequate cover, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions. The tax may be high but remember if you don’t have comprehensive travel insurance, it could work out very expensive should you need medical treatment while abroad. So in fact, it can be a false economy, if you don’t buy travel insurance and then need medical treatment, or even lose your luggage, for example, while you are away. Having that comprehensive travel insurance allows you to travel with complete peace of mind.

 I don’t normally like writing  blog posts that are a bit gloomy, but unfortunately this one is a  bit! Still, the important thing is that if you have a holiday booked, at least you have that to look forward to!

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Holidays and Stress

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

As you may have heard, today is National Stress Awareness Day. So I wanted to talk about holidays…Now I know that might sound a  little weird putting holidays and stress into the same sentence. But actually the preparation for a holiday can be pretty stressful, and so I thought I would put a few tips together so that you can get on with unwinding and enjoying your holiday.

Now, I have actually spoken about this topic before, but I thought it was so important that I will talk about it again! The key really is preparing for your holiday in advance, so it is not all a last minute rush but I know that it is easier said than done!

Insurance: Buy your travel insurance well in advance so you can travel with compete peace of mind, especially if you have existing medical conditions. Don’t forget a European Health Insurance Card if you are travelling in Europe as well.

Work: Make sure you let everyone know when you are going to be away a long time in advance so that you don’t get left with loads of work to do on the day before you go. Write a detailed handover email and fill this is over the week before you go away, so you have less chance of forgetting stuff.

Packing: Make a list, again to avoid forgetting stuff. Put everything on there, no matter how silly it sounds, because otherwise you know that is the one thing that you won’t have.

House: Consider investing in those timer lights to put into your house and make it look ‘lived in’ while you are away. If you have a friend or relative dropping in while you are away, ask them to open and close curtains etc for the same reason. Here is a useful list of electronics you might want to take with you

Camera: Make sure you download old pictures onto your computer well before you go away so that you know you have lots of space for your lovely new pictures. Take a spare memory card with you so that you don’t need to worry about downloading while you are away

Ok well there are probably loads more hints and tips, but here are a few to start off with. Please do add in other tips and hints below to avoid stress and just get on with enjoying that holiday you deserve!

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A tale of travel traumas and travel insurance

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
Comprehensive travel insurance

What happens if something goes wrong on your relaxing holiday and you dont have adequate travel insurance?

Unfortunately, I am talking today about a familiar story. We have all heard of people travelling without adequate travel insurance and then the horror stories if they then fall ill abroad. It really makes you stop and think… This time a British woman from Liverpool had a heart attack while on an American cruise and is now stuck in Mexico with escalating hospital costs. The couple were not covered by their HSBC travel insurance as Valerie already had angina.

The 67-year-old grandmother may be able to travel by air ambulance to a UK hospital soon,  if her health improves, but the cost has been estimated at £62,000.  The hospital bill currently stands in excess of $126,000 and is rising daily by a minimum of $3,500. HSBC say they have advised Mrs King that she would not be covered under her travel insurance policy for her pre-existing illness, and confirmed this with her.

That story makes this next article all the more worrying – The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has presented new research, polling over 2000 people, which shows that around one in five holidaymakers is taking a risk by going abroad without any travel insurance. Other worrying statistics were also revealed by the travel organisation, including the fact that 16 per cent of respondents believe the UK government would cover the cost of medical expenses incurred abroad.

Lynda St Cooke, part of the UK Foreign Office’s Know Before You Go campaign, which is aimed at educating travellers, also said she see many cases where holidaymakers are faced with bills of tens of thousands of pounds for medical treatment and repatriation.

So what if you do have adequate travel insurance? Well hopefully you would not need to use it, but at least you know you have peace of mind if you do need to make a claim. ABTA’s survey also found that in the past five years, 12 per cent of respondents had made a claim on their travel insurance policy, with three per cent claiming over £500.

We would agree with the Foreign Office – it is so important that you get comprehensive travel insurance that includes your medical conditions, because otherwise medical treatment could work out so expensive, and can turn a holiday, that you have planned and looked forward to for ages, into a nightmare. We know it is said many a time, but it is really important that you make sure that you read the small print to check that your medical conditions are included in your insurance, and if you are not sure don’t be afraid to grill your insurance provider – that is what they are there for! And make sure that you don’t just rely on an European Health Insurance Card, it is not enough and won’t cover certain things, like travelling home in an air ambulance etc…

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Recession Busting Travel Insurance with AllClear’s 20% Online Discounts

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

It is a financially difficult time of the year, particularly with the Government spending review on the 20th October, and Christmas just around the corner, and we are still tightening our belts. We are all looking for new and easy ways to save money, and that includes our well-deserved holidays. AllClear Travel, the specialist travel insurance providers for people with medical conditions, want to help you out. That is why for the first time ever, we are offering our biggest ever recession-buster discount. We are offering 20% discounts for a limited period on the AllClear Travel Insurance policy.

How do you get this great money-saving offer? Just visit www.allcleartravel.co.uk and get an online quote. The discount of 20% will be automatically applied when you get your online quote (see our website for further information www.allcleartravel.co.uk). The offer is only for a limited period of time so make sure you get a quote now!

Have medical conditions? Over 65? Remember that AllClear Travel is a specialist travel insurance provider with no age limits for single trips, and we cover all pre-existing medical conditions. If you require medical treatment while abroad, without comprehensive cover, it can be very expensive. With AllClear Travel you get comprehensive travel insurance that will cover your medical conditions, leaving you to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. If you are planning a skiing holiday, we also offer additional winter sports cover.

Also, with every AllClear Travel policy, you also get free traceable luggage tags, to ensure that if your luggage does go missing you can locate it easily.

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Protect your valuables when on holiday

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

Ok, so your case is packed. And you have purchased all of the suncream that you would ever need. So now it is just time to enjoy your holiday right? Travel insurance for valuables

Um, not neccesarily. A survey has revealed that 11% of adults have been victims of theft while overseas, with men more likely to be robbed than women.

Thieves have stolen an estimated £1.7bn of possessions from Britons holidaying abroad in the last five years. Yet only 51% of those who had something stolen reported the incident to local police, the poll of 2,000 British adults showed. The average value of the stolen items was £326 per person, with 5% of victims being robbed of valuables worth more than £1,000. The most common form of theft is pickpocketing (21%), followed by theft from a car (17%) and bag snatching (16%). Also, 15% of victims had items stolen from their hotel room or villa. As many as 35% of victims had cash stolen, while 15% lost their camera to thieves and 14% had their mobile phone taken.

Ok so what can you do about this? Obviously losing your possessions is rubbish at any time, but particularly when you are on holiday – it could ruin your entire break. But here are a few things that you can do about it.

  • When you are packing think about what you really need to take. Is it worth taking that designer jacket if you are never going to wear it? Do you need to take both your mobile phones? Maybe leave the newer windows 7 phone or iphone at home to keep it safe! And how much of your jewllery will you actually wear on that walking holiday!
  • Be particularly careful with sentimental possessions. For example, if you can, download your pictures each night or change the memory card, in case your camera is stolen
  • Check your travel insurance and what belongings it covers you for, so that you are prepared in case the worse should happen. Make sure you read the small print, and your travel insurer should be able to help you if you are still not clear. A previous blog explained that up to £1.6bn gadgets are uninsured when people go on holiday.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but these tips should help a bit, so that you can just get on with enjoying your well-deserved holiday!

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What can you do about flight delays?

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but here you go. Basically, according to this article in Insurance Daily, UK air passengers can no longer claim compensation from airlines for long flight delays.

According to a BBC report, the right has been suspended by the High Court. In November 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the damage sustained by air passengers in cases of long delay is comparable with that of cancellation, unless the delay is caused by “extraordinary circumstances” beyond the control of the airline. However, the High Court has referred the matter back to the ECJ for a further hearing and has put a stay on new rulings in the UK, until the ECJ has time to reconsider.

This new judgment from the ECJ could be delayed until the first half of 2012 so that leaves a while to wait for a decision.

Oh dear! Now we all know how annoying it is when you are at an airport and your flight is delayed. All you want is to get to your holiday destination  (or get home) and start relaxing. It is especially problematic when you have a short break and then a large proportion of your holiday might be lost. So what can you do about this?

Well unfortunately, not much. We all know that some airlines seem to be worst offenders for delays than others, so you might want to be a bit choosy with the flights you book. Alternatively, you could always consider a cruise as a least if there are any delays (although this is unlikely) you are still enjoying your holiday at the same time!

One other big consideration should be your travel insurance. If you opt for a comprehensive travel insurance, then you can still claim for travel delays. For example, AllClear offer up to £100 benefit if you experience delays (depending on the length of delay). This is the case if your trip is delayed by industrial action (provided industrial action wasn’t expected when the policy was taken out); adverse weather or technical fault.

So what do you need to do if the worst should happen and you are delayed? Well first of all stay calm, and try and not let the delays spoil your holiday! And then secondly make sure you obtain written confirmation from the airline stating the period of delay and the reason for it.

If you have any other questions about travel delay, or claiming for it, please do ask them below and we will try to help…

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