Travel Insurance and Important Government Advice
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Tech-savvy travellers have no excuse for failing to research their holiday destination before booking a trip, after all there is plenty of advice available online. It is also easy to purchase travel insurance online. Okay, you say, but a holiday is about relaxing and having fun, not thinking about what might go wrong...
Travel insurance is important but it may not cover everything - especially if you get yourself into trouble with the law, or break your leg while doing something crazy like jumping into the pool from your hotel balcony!
If you think it is unnecessary to research your destination, have a look at the following examples:
In Barcelona it is against the law to go out in the street dressed in only swimming trunks or a bikini
In Greece you could be fined and/or arrested for indecent behaviour, which includes 'mooning' in public or wearing clothing considered offensive
Ignorance about something as basic as avoiding tap water and ice-cubes in drinks could cause days of sickness and misery
It is important to check official government travel sites for updated advice - especially to see if there are any advisories against travel. Many travellers are unaware that booking a trip to a destination where an advisory against travel is already in place is likely to invalidate any related claims on their travel insurance. This may seem unfair, but one basic rule that exists across all travel insurance policies is that you do not knowingly put yourself in harm's way. However, if the problem was unforeseen and occurred after you booked your holiday and purchased insurance you should be fine, but always read the small print of your particular policy.
Check your government's website for your holiday destination, such as the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland (DFA); Smartraveller (Australia); Safetravel (New Zealand); or U.S. Department of State.
The advice provided by various governments contains very useful information, including:
Laws and customs
Knowing the local laws and customs in advance could save you from inadvertently getting on the wrong side of the law. Advice could range from anything from dress code, to carrying ID with you, to smoking laws, to penalties for carrying illegal drugs, which in some countries (such as the popular Dubai/United Arab Emirates) may include products purchased over-the-counter at home.
Driving
You cannot assume that the rules are the same as at home. Driving in a foreign country comes with challenges, and there could be rules and requirements that result in on-the-spot fines if you do not comply. Drink driving laws are extremely harsh in some countries.
Natural disasters
A country might be prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. It is better to have awareness of potential problems and some idea of what to do if the worst should happen.
Safety and Security
This might cover anything from pick pocketing to lottery scams, outdoor activities, mountain rescue, how to stay safe on beaches, and ways to reach local emergency services or your consulate. Forest fires, hiking in mountains.
Entry requirements
Check for passport and visa information well in advance. Some countries require that you must have a certain amount of validity remaining on your passport, or a certain amount of available blank pages. Visitors to the United States are now required to register under the ESTA scheme.
Travel Health
Advice includes seeing your GP ahead of travel, vaccination advice, current health alerts, and links and sources for further information. If you are travelling to Australia it is important to understand their Medicare system. EU citizens should obtain the free European Health Insurance Card and also take out travel insurance.
Setting off on your holiday armed with knowledge about the country you are visiting, as well as a good travel insurance policy, should bring enormous peace of mind and a sense of well-being. Once you are there, with a basic knowledge of how things work in the country, you can relax and enjoy yourself. Remember to take loads of photos of yet another memorable trip to send to your friends and family and maybe they will follow in your footsteps.
Jean Andrews is an employee of Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd. She regularly contributes informative articles about travel insurance and travel related matters.To find out more and to obtain a quote for cheap travel insurance from this well-established company, visit their UK website at Travel Insurance Direct or Travel Insurance Direct-Ireland for residents of Ireland.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7294164
Travel insurance is important but it may not cover everything - especially if you get yourself into trouble with the law, or break your leg while doing something crazy like jumping into the pool from your hotel balcony!
If you think it is unnecessary to research your destination, have a look at the following examples:
In Barcelona it is against the law to go out in the street dressed in only swimming trunks or a bikini
In Greece you could be fined and/or arrested for indecent behaviour, which includes 'mooning' in public or wearing clothing considered offensive
Ignorance about something as basic as avoiding tap water and ice-cubes in drinks could cause days of sickness and misery
It is important to check official government travel sites for updated advice - especially to see if there are any advisories against travel. Many travellers are unaware that booking a trip to a destination where an advisory against travel is already in place is likely to invalidate any related claims on their travel insurance. This may seem unfair, but one basic rule that exists across all travel insurance policies is that you do not knowingly put yourself in harm's way. However, if the problem was unforeseen and occurred after you booked your holiday and purchased insurance you should be fine, but always read the small print of your particular policy.
Check your government's website for your holiday destination, such as the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO); Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland (DFA); Smartraveller (Australia); Safetravel (New Zealand); or U.S. Department of State.
The advice provided by various governments contains very useful information, including:
Laws and customs
Knowing the local laws and customs in advance could save you from inadvertently getting on the wrong side of the law. Advice could range from anything from dress code, to carrying ID with you, to smoking laws, to penalties for carrying illegal drugs, which in some countries (such as the popular Dubai/United Arab Emirates) may include products purchased over-the-counter at home.
Driving
You cannot assume that the rules are the same as at home. Driving in a foreign country comes with challenges, and there could be rules and requirements that result in on-the-spot fines if you do not comply. Drink driving laws are extremely harsh in some countries.
Natural disasters
A country might be prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. It is better to have awareness of potential problems and some idea of what to do if the worst should happen.
Safety and Security
This might cover anything from pick pocketing to lottery scams, outdoor activities, mountain rescue, how to stay safe on beaches, and ways to reach local emergency services or your consulate. Forest fires, hiking in mountains.
Entry requirements
Check for passport and visa information well in advance. Some countries require that you must have a certain amount of validity remaining on your passport, or a certain amount of available blank pages. Visitors to the United States are now required to register under the ESTA scheme.
Travel Health
Advice includes seeing your GP ahead of travel, vaccination advice, current health alerts, and links and sources for further information. If you are travelling to Australia it is important to understand their Medicare system. EU citizens should obtain the free European Health Insurance Card and also take out travel insurance.
Setting off on your holiday armed with knowledge about the country you are visiting, as well as a good travel insurance policy, should bring enormous peace of mind and a sense of well-being. Once you are there, with a basic knowledge of how things work in the country, you can relax and enjoy yourself. Remember to take loads of photos of yet another memorable trip to send to your friends and family and maybe they will follow in your footsteps.
Jean Andrews is an employee of Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd. She regularly contributes informative articles about travel insurance and travel related matters.To find out more and to obtain a quote for cheap travel insurance from this well-established company, visit their UK website at Travel Insurance Direct or Travel Insurance Direct-Ireland for residents of Ireland.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7294164
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Title : Travel Insurance and Important Government Advice
Written by om
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Hopefully this article useful to you. If you wish to quote, either part or all of the contents of this article please include a link to http://galleryoftravel.blogspot.com/2013/02/travel-insurance-and-important.html. Thank you stopped reading this article.Written by om
Blog Rating 5 of 5
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