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Tips for seeking out the best medical travel insurance

Tips for seeking out the best medical travel insurance

Travel insurance is a travel necessity as medical costs abroad can be very high indeed, and in the case of an emergency, you want access to the best treatment possible. Here we look at some tips to follow when you are looking for health cover for a trip abroad.

It is not just the cost of medical treatment itself that you may have to pay for. Many travellers fail to include the possible costs of repatriation, or for the accommodation and travel needs of visiting relatives.

You will also need to calculate what is a reasonable amount of cover to expect for your given destination. Many countries now have healthcare agreements with the UK entitling you to free or subsidised healthcare costs there, but many do not.

An exclusion to look for when searching for travel insurance is that some insurance providers will not provide cover for emergencies that occur outwith official working hours. Once you have secured a policy you should make sure to take a note of your insurers telephone contact and your policy reference number and carry it with you. It is also important to let your travel insurer know if you have any existing healthcare needs as this can affect your policy. If you are having trouble finding insurance due to your existing medical condition then you will find specialist insurers and brokers that cater for this type of specialist insurance.

The UK has mutual medical care agreements with many countries, especially within the EEA. However, these agreements do not mean that all of your expenses will be covered and so additional travel insurance cover is always recommended.

Those who have any current medical conditions should also always let their insurer know about this before purchasing a policy. If you do not declare an existing condition, then your cover may be null and void when you come to need it.

Before purchasing any travel insurance, it is advisable to check any existing medical policies or credit card policies, as both can include some level of travel health insurance too.

Where to go in London

Where to go in London?

Are you in the mood for love this Christmas? Do you fancy taking your sweetheart for a romantic break to London?  Maybe your thinking of popping that all important question? There is no better place to spend the day and to propose than in the London. You will be spoilt for places to visit, restaurants to eat in. If your lady friend is a shopaholic then what better way to sweeten her up by taking her shopping in London.  She will be in her element and be spoilt for choices of where to go.

You could head straight for the famous Oxford street which stretches about one and a half miles.  Apparently it is said to be the busiest shopping street in Europe.  You will find most of the big departments stores like Selfridges and John Lewis.

Regent street has a wide range of shops on offer including Lacoste, Jaeger, French connection and burberry to name a few.  You will also find plenty of coffee shops eateries for when you need to recharge.

Just behind Regent Street in the area of north Soho is the hip Carnaby Street which has undergone some changes in recent years. With lots of new independent stores, signature boutiques the place is buzzing with style.

If shoes are her thing, you will want to head to Convent Garden. She will be spoilt for choice with a great selection of shoe shops and fashion outlets, plus you could also watch some of the famous  street entertainment.

If shopping doesn’t tickle her fancy why not take her to visit some of London’s famous attractions like Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey or maybe some of numerous museums such as the natural history museum.

Staying in London isn’t a problem and you will also be spoilt for choice.  Whether you want a top 5 star hotel or a basic B & B there are plenty to chose from. If you fancy splashing the cash you could stay in The Crowne Plaza London St James. It is a luxurious hotel with its own tranquil courtyard, and is only five minutes from Buckingham Palace. It is a four-star deluxe hotel which combines the best central London location with supremely comfortable accommodation. Prices start from ?199 per night.

You might like to stay somewhere less pricey like the The Mabledon court hotel. Prices start from ?45 per room. The hotel is a comfortable and friendly and you will be met with a smile. The hotel is located in the heart of London’s Bloomsbury district. Kings cross St Pancreas, Euston, Russell Square and Euston Square are all located only a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel offers comfortable single and double bedded accommodation. All rooms have en suite facilities, colour television, direct dial telephones, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities and free wireless internet facilities. There is a pretty lounge for the exclusive use of guests and friends.

Kensington is a great location and has a great selection of budget hotels which are all in easy walking distance of many great London attractions.

Whatever you choose to visit in London you are bound to have a great time.  And if you do propose to the love of your life and she says yes, remember a wife isn’t just for Christmas it’s for life.

Why it Pays to Take Care Abroad – Reducing the Risk to Yourselves

Why it Pays to Take Care Abroad – Reducing the Risk to Yourselves

Although the following tips, aimed primarily towards women travellers, should help to ensure a hassle free and safe trip abroad, many are just common sense suggestions that equally apply to male travellers and also for travelling in the UK.

When travelling around, the key is to act confidently. For women travellers, wearing dark glasses can boost confidence and think about how your clothing will fit in with local customs and attitudes. If travelling alone, you may attract unwelcome attention and you may receive unwanted propositions or remarks. It is best just to ignore them. Never accept car rides from strangers or hitchhike and if possible try and double up with someone you know when travelling by taxi. Always pack your own baggage and never leave it unattended. Never carry packages or anything else through customs for other people. In your accommodation abroad, never leave a key where someone can note your room number. Don’t leave your window open if your room is on the ground floor and use a door wedge on the inside of your hotel room door for extra security. Again women travellers need to take extra care when checking into hotels and hostels such as, don’t use a title such as Ms, Mrs or Miss, use only a first initial and be careful about opening your door to anyone – if in doubt check with reception.

Try and stay in touch. Keep your family and friends aware of your plans and leave a copy of your itinerary, passport, travel insurance documents and credit cards with someone at home. It is worthwhile taking a copy of these with you when travelling and keep separate from the originals. Once abroad, e-mail or telephone home regularly. Carry a list of British Consular offices in the countries you plan to visit.

Don’t forget to check out the latest travel advice from the FCO before you go and find out about the culture and customs of the countries you will be visiting. And why not take a look at the travel advice section on the Travel & Insure website which contains easy to read advice on the support you can expect from embassies and consulates worldwide should you get into difficulty.

Caution: Scammers On Board

Caution: Scammers On Board!

When one plans this year’s vacation with family and friends, or simply business travel – the last thing wished for would be a great travel scam .

The season for vacations and holidays is upon us and scam artists, looking for great pigeons, are everywhere.

Oftentimes, the victims recognize that they have been scammed too late to do anything about the situation, and are left with no options to recover. They simply end up paying for the non-existent services.

Scammers wait for this opportune time of the year. Here are some tips to avoid them:

1. Most all bulk email travel deals (or free vacations) are scams. If you are offered a travel deal by email, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Also, be very skeptical if offered a travel deal by phone. If you’re unfamiliar with the company, get its name, address, and local telephone number. Check them out. Unless they have a legitimate local or regional office, it’s probably bogus.

2. If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. Listen for the details — or read the fine print.

In many travel scams, your airfare may be free, but you agree to stay in particular accommodations that are outrageously expensive.

Another type of too-good-to-be-true pitch is winning a contest or lottery. If you’ve won a contest, get more details. Public contests and lotteries have rules and regulations — and you normally have to enter to win.

If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win anything. You’ll be asked to pay fees. If you’ve won a legitimate contest or lottery, it shouldn’t cost you anything to get your winnings or prize.

3. Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you made the phone call and you know that you’re dealing with a reputable company. Never disclose any other personal details, like your checking account or social security number.

4. Be cautious of travel deals in which the availability is more than 60 days away. You can only dispute credit card charges within 60 days.

5. If you think you are interested in the offer, always ask what’s isn’t included. Service charges, processing fees, and taxes are typically added on after the fact — and you’ll be expected to pay for them.

Ask for specific details, too. Many travel scams are based on really vague information — for example, they’ll use phrases like major airline without naming it.

6. Ask for references — and contact them. But be wary of references simply parroting everything.

These tips should keep you from being taken by future travel scams. If you feel you have been scammed, your state Consumer Dept. or Attorney General may be able to help.

7. Get copies of everything — for example, your receipts, your itinerary, and the company’s cancellation and refund policies.

8. Don’t give in to high pressure tactics that push you into making rash decisions. Scammers use lines like, “This is the last day that we’ll be making this offer” or “This offer expires at midnight.”

If it’s great deal, why should they pressure you to decide without checking it out?

9. Don’t ever make a payment before you receive all the information. If you’re required to pay to get the information – it’s a scam.

10. Never dial a 900 number to reach a travel agency or club. No legitimate company requires you to pay for a 900 call to phone their customer service desk.

Also, beware of calling numbers with 664, 758, or 809 area codes. Those seem ordinary, but are actually like unregulated 900 numbers located in the Caribbean charging jacked-up rates.

Have a great vacation this summer!

Vacation/Travel Fraud

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