Following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that has killed at least 65 people and injured scores of others in Christchurch, New Zealand, the underwriters of World First travel insurance policies have stressed that they will offer 24 hour assistance and aid – and of course medical cover –  to any insured caught up in the disaster.

In 24 hours that New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key has described as being possibly ‘New Zealand’s darkest day’ the South Island city of Christchurch suffered major damage to buildings in what is proving to be the country’s deadliest disaster. Over 120 people are reported to have been rescued from collapsed buildings.

Anyone who is insured by World First and has been caught up in the disaster is advised to get in touch. Emergency repatriation to the UK and  will be assessed on a case by case basis, say Professional Travel Insurance Company Limited.

They have also stated that delayed departure will be covered on World First policies for anyone who has been delayed on public transport in the aftermath of the disaster although they will not accept claims for trip cancellation. Anyone who is due to fly to Christchurch or have a holiday in Christchurch is advised to get in touch with their tour operator or travel agent to arrange for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.

The Foreign Office has issued the following travel advice for New Zealand:

“Christchurch Airport is closed except for emergency aircraft. The Ferrymead bridge is reported to be impassable because of rising water. Christchurch hospital is in operation. A Crisis Response Centre has been established at Christchurch Art Gallery.

For advice and assistance in relation to the Christchurch earthquake British nationals in New Zealand should call 04 9242898.” 

For more information please see the Foreign Office website here.

Why late season boarding can play havoc with your snow style

It’s half term for many schools next week. And that means a mass exodus for a spot of late season snow. But, as the European ski season comes to a close and the numbers start to drop, the number of skiers coming home in plaster rises significantly. According to World First Travel Insurance, the end of the ski season is the time when injury claims go up. The reason for this is quite simple: the pistes have had months of regular use and will have deteriorated since the beginning of the season, there is less snowfall and the temperatures begin to rise. This often leads to more ice, which, in case you hadn’t noticed, is very, very slippery.

(more…)

Martin Dorey

If you’ve been anywhere near BBC2 this week you might have caught a brand new series that’s been running every night at 6.30. It’s called ‘One Man and His Campervan’ and it’s all about a chap who travels around the UK in his classic camper cooking and eating as he goes.

(more…)

Egypt has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. Yet the reported unrest doesn’t mean you should give up on dreams of Egyptian escape just yet. Many of Egypt’s top destinations are located many miles from the civil disturbances and returning travellers are reporting no signs of trouble. And with many agents currently offering incredible deals, it would be silly to shun the sun, sea and sand of Egypt’s finest hotspots.

(more…)

BA announces further price rises to fuel surcharges.

Once again the cost of flying is set to go up according to today’s news story from the BBC. In response to the recent rise in oil prices and aviation fuel, BA has decided to pass those increased costs to its customers by increasing the fuel surcharge on long haul, World Traveller and World Traveller Plus tickets by £12 per journey sector. The increase will come into effect from Tuesday 8^th February. There will be no fuel surcharge increase to any British Airways’ short haul services but First and Club World tickets will increase by £17 per sector.

(more…)