In this guest post, Dilys Morgan, founder of GrandparentsNow.com, shares a few holiday tips for those travelling with three generations of family.

We all look forward to the summer holidays – and it’s becoming increasingly common for three generations to holiday together, often with grandparents footing the bill and hiring a villa, or holiday home for the duration.

Holidays like this can work out brilliantly:  the parents have a chance for some respite from their children while grandparents step up to the plate and entertain them.  Grandparents get a lot of good quality time with their beloved grandchildren.  And the children get spoiled!

But we all know that living at close quarters isn’t always easy – and it can be hard for both grandparents and parents to adjust to sharing the same space, working out how to divide the labour, ensuring that no one feels either put-upon or left out.  So here are some of our top tips – gleaned from our own experience and those of people we’ve met and talked to through GrandparentsNow.com.

• Book the biggest place that you can afford.  It’s always good to have additional rooms/garden nooks for people to disappear to so that everyone isn’t always forced to be together.

• Set down some ground rules in advance around who’s going to do what.  If grandparents are happy to get up early to give parents a lie-in, that’s fine but parents shouldn’t expect it, and grandparents have every right to  own up to being tired and asking for  the next morning off!

• Same goes for baby-sitting in the evenings – it can be a real treat for the parents to be freed up to go out for some quality time together, but grandparents won’t want to miss the opportunity to sample local culinary delights , so take turns.

• Don’t assume that you’re all going to want to do the same things all the time.  Some time for each of the generations to be apart can be restorative and useful in maintaining good relations.

• It can often work really well if the catering is shared – but again draw up your guidelines in advance so that everyone knows what’s expected of them – and when.

• If holidaying in the UK, take lots of toys and board games to amuse the grandchildren in case of bad weather and take advantage of online shopping to have an order ready for your arrival.

• Control freaks need to let go!  No one wants to be on holiday with a martyr, so it’s really important that no one person takes on all the chores – and then moans about it.

• Both generations may occasionally need to bite their tongues!  Living at close quarters can expose some habits and foibles that others may not agree with or approve of – but now is not the time to bring those things up.

• All age groups need to be able to speak up for themselves courteously and pleasantly so that you can all decline certain activities or responsibilities politely and calmly.

• Never forget that this is everyone’s holiday – so even the grandchildren need to be aware that give and take is involved so that everyone returns home rested.

For cost-effective family travel insurance, visit www.world-first.co.uk.

Related posts:

1. GUEST POST: Be Bold in Blue this MS Awareness Week!
2. GUEST POST: Mrs. O Around the World’s travel tips
3. GUEST POST: Travel is one of my favourite things

Guest post: Holidays for three generations – Increase the pleasure and avoid the pitfalls | World First Travel Insurance Blog

World First Managing Partner, Martin Rothwell, has been voted one of the top business people in the south west.

Each year, Insider Media publish their snappily titled 42 under 42, where they identify 42 of the south west’s finest entrepreneurs and business leaders under the age of – you guessed it – 42, based on nominations from senior industrialists and professionals. It’s a great achievement.

“It’s a great honour to be selected,” reflected Martin. “But it’s not just about me, it’s also down to the support I get from the entire team at World First – particularly the Customer Service team, who are on the frontline handling calls every day and giving our customers the very best experience possible.”

Martin was singled-out for his twenty years of experience in the travel insurance industry and for the hands-on role he takes with the business. The breadth of cover provided by World First was recognised too, along with the fact that we are one of the few travel insurers to offer comprehensive policies to travel-lovers with medical conditions, right up to the age of 100.

Nice to know you’re in safe hands, isn’t it?

Be part of our success story and visit www.world-first.co.uk for your travel insurance.

Related posts:

1. World First Travel Insurance review: 9 out of 10 for January
2. World First Travel Insurance review: 9 out 10 for December 2011!

World First boss among south west’s best in business awards | World First Travel Insurance Blog

UK border staff are due to strike this Thursday (10th May). Find out what your rights are if the disruption affects your travel plans as well as what World First customers are covered for by their travel insurance.  

When is the strike?

Border staff across the UK are due to strike on Thursday (10th May).

Which areas will the strike affect?

Much of the commentary on the forthcoming industrial action has focused on Heathrow. While it’s true that Heathrow looks set to face the most airport disruption, it’s worth remembering that this is a national strike. The union staging the action represents around 4,500 border staff, so other airports – and ports with international entry – will be affected.

There’s also a small chance that the strikes will cause disruption beyond the UK. Major delays processing inbound passengers would lead to arrival terminals swelling to capacity, forcing airlines to hold arriving passengers on their planes. That would in turn cause airport gridlock, with cancellations of departing aircraft and diversions or cancellations for inbound flights.

How disruptive will the strike be?

It’s difficult to say how disruptive the border strikes will be. Heathrow coped well during a similar border staff strike last November, with minimal delays to both inbound and outbound travellers. However, there’s no guarantee that the same will happen again. Especially as the airport has received increasing criticism recently for the length of time it is taking to process inbound travellers, particularly those from outside the EU.

What if your flight is delayed?

Compensation rules generally apply after a delay of between two and four hours. At that point, passengers are entitled to compensation for meals and refreshments in relation to waiting time as well as two free telephone calls, emails, telexes or faxes. However, if you are flying between non-EU airports on a non-EU airline, these rules do not apply. Most airlines will offer you refreshments and hotel accommodation if required, but not cash compensation.

If you are a World First Travel Insurance policyholder you can claim compensation whether you are delayed in arrivals or the departure lounge. We’ll give you a cash benefit for any delay of twelve hours or more – usually £20 for the first 12 hours and £10 per 12 hours thereafter. You can find out more about our policy benefits at www.world-first.co.uk.

What if your flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled because of the strike, your airline is legally obliged to give you the choice of accepting either a refund or an alternative flight. If you decide to wait for an alternative flight, your airline is required to pay for your meals and refreshments in relation to your waiting time as well as overnight hotel accommodation and transfers as necessary.

However, airlines are not required to reimburse you for money you lose on other parts of your holiday, such as accommodation or hire car bookings. That’s where we come in. If the border staff strike causes you to be delayed by 24 hours or more, you can cancel your holiday and claim up to £3,000 worth of unrecoverable costs on your World First insurance policy.

What if a flight delay causes you to miss a connecting flight?

If your flight into or out of the UK is a connecting flight, a delay at the airport could cause you to miss the next part of your journey – whether it’s by air, land or sea. All World First policies come with cover for missed departure of pre-booked travel. This entitles you to compensation for any unexpected hotel costs and alternative travel costs incurred in reaching your final destination.

Can you change your flight to avoid the strikes?

If you have a flexible ticket, then you can change your flight times without penalty. This is usually not the case with standard tickets. However, in the past some airlines have allowed passengers to make alterations to their flight plans to avoid industrial action.

Want to know more?

Contact your airline to see if they have specific advice relating to the strike. Or if you have any questions about travel insurance, please call us on 0845 90 80 161 or email info@world-first.co.uk.

Related posts:

1. Are you booked on a BA flight on the strike days?
2. Where you stand if the UK Border Agency walkout affects your travel plans
3. Aftershock. World First advice for travellers in Pacific region following earthquake in Japan.

Travel advice on the UK border strike | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Following our recent post about MS Week 2012, Jo Sopala from the MS Trust writes a guest post about the ins and outs of MS and reveals some creative ways you can get involved.

More than 100,000 people have multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK and 57 more people are diagnosed each week. It is a lifelong, debilitating condition which is extremely variable and unpredictable. MS is usually diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 20 and 30, just as people are making life choices about careers, family and relationships.

For many people living with MS it is the unpredictability that they find most difficult to deal with; when no two days are the same, how can you plan for the future? No one can take away that uncertainty, but the MS Trust can provide the facts and help people better understand their MS.

The MS Trust is a national charity  dedicated to making life better for people living with MS by providing them with free information and by training the health professionals who work with them.  We run a personalised enquiry service, with someone at the end of the phone to answer people’s questions about their MS. We also provide information via our website, publications and newsletters. In 2011, we sent out 65,357 books, factsheets and DVDs to help people manage their MS.

We rely on our supporters who fundraise for us and make donations. The help we provide for people with MS depends on their efforts and generosity. This MS Awareness Week, why not help us make life better for the 100,000 people living with MS in the UK by taking part in our Be Bold In Blue campaign www.mstrust.org.uk/blue. Last year lots of people supported us by Being Bold In Blue in a variety of ways: some held blue quizzes or blue themed dinner parties and one supporter even made blue spaghetti! Many people dressed up in blue outfits and lots of people held cake stalls, with a blue theme, of course. If blue is not your colour, visit www.msawarenessweek.org.uk to see how else you can get involved in raising awareness of MS.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you’ll be inspired to take part and look forward to seeing some brilliant Be Bold In Blue photos!

Jo Sopala, MS Trust
fundraising@mstrust.org.uk
www.mstrust.org.uk
01462 476700

Living with MS? Don’t forget to take a look at multiple sclerosis travel insurance with World First before your next holiday.

Related posts:

1. Guest post: Holidays for three generations – Increase the pleasure and avoid the pitfalls
2. GUEST POST: Travel is one of my favourite things
3. GUEST POST: Mrs. O Around the World’s travel tips

GUEST POST: Be Bold in Blue this MS Awareness Week! | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Poland and Ukraine aren’t known for their indigenous population of wild dogs. It’s perhaps just as well for Roy Hodgson, given that one poor result in the Euros this summer will have the football media queuing up to throw him to the wolves. 

Yes, against most expectations in the football community, West Brom’s Roy Hodgson will be the man to lead the Three Lions in the Euros this summer. It’s a surprise appointment. And one that some might call managerial suicide given that the England job has been such a poisoned chalice over the years. But whatever happens to Hodgson, we’ve got the travel insurance that will give you the peace of mind to concentrate on nothing but football if you’re heading out to Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Here’s a breakdown of what we can give you. Strength in depth? You bet.

Cancellation cover: Think it’s all over? Don’t worry.

Unsurprisingly, you’ll be paying more for the privilege of flying to Poland/Ukraine during the Euros. But flight operators’ price hikes are nothing compared to those of some hotels. Talk about milking the cash cow. Some hotels in Donetsk, where England play their first match against France on 11th June, are raking in as much as £460 per room. Yes, for one night. And it gets worse. One hotel in Ukraine, with just one star, has been reported as charging football fans close to £1,000 a night.

So if you’re forced to cancel your trip you could lose a fortune. And it’s not unimaginable, is it? Your home might flood. You could get called up for jury service. Your best friend could become seriously ill. Anything could happen. But if you take out travel insurance with World First you’ll be covered for up to £3,000 of unrecoverable travel and accommodation costs. The same applies if you have to cut your holiday short. So when you think it’s all over, we’ll be there to help pick up the pieces.

Theft and loss: We were robbed!

There’s a risk of losing your belongings on any holiday. But that’s especially true when there are large groups of excited people in a concentrated space; a major international football tournament, for example. With travel insurance from World First you’re covered. You can insure up to £1,600 worth of baggage, £250 worth of valuables and we’ll cover the loss or theft of cash, medication and travel documents.

Medical cover: Injuries are part of the game

Any football fan knows that injuries are part of the game. Unfortunately they’re occasionally part of being on holiday too. That means you need the right medical cover in place should you have an accident or become unexpectedly ill.

Firstly, you’ll need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which you can get for free at www.ehic.org.uk. It’s the replacement for the old E111 and entitles you to the same level of free medical care as is received by the locals of the country you are visiting. However, there are some treatments that you will still have to pay for. And foreign medical bills can be expensive. That’s where we come in.

Insure with World First and we’ll pay for up to £5 million worth of emergency medical costs. We’re also backed by one of the best international emergency medical assistance providers in the world and you’ll get 24 hour access to medical expertise. So you can expect immediate care, wherever you are, whatever the problem is. Even if you succumb to the dreaded broken metatarsal.

Low policy excess: financial fair play

At World First we’re all about giving travellers a fairer deal on travel insurance. But we don’t just talk the talk. Our policies are some of the most cost-effective on the market. And our super-low policy excess of just £60 means you’ll never have to pay over the odds if you need to make a claim for cancellation, missed departure or the theft/loss of your possessions. So you’ll have more left over for your holiday spending budget.

Game on.

Snap up your low-priced travel insurance policy for Euro 2012 now at www.world-first.co.uk.

Related posts:

1. Summer indecision? Solve it with a holiday on wheels.
2. Strike threatens summer holiday plans
3. Spanish airport staff plan summer of strikes

Roy Hodgson is the new England manager. Will you be with him this summer? | World First Travel Insurance Blog

There are 100,000 people in the UK who could tell you first hand. Yet multiple sclerosis remains a condition that most know little about. That’s why the MS Trust is keen to raise awareness of the condition, which affects the nervous system.

MS Week runs from 30th April to 6th May and aims to help everyone understand a little more about multiple sclerosis. What better time for us to share the good news that we can give travel-lovers with MS the holiday cover they need at a price that’s fair?

What is MS Week?

MS Week is organised and run by the MS Trust, a national charity  who work hard to make life better for people living with MS by providing them with free information and by training the health professionals who work with them. A series of events are taking place throughout the week, including art exhibitions, skydives and information events – all of which are aimed at helping more people understand the impacts of multiple sclerosis while providing a platform to discuss ways in which MS services can be improved.

>> Find out more about MS Week 2012 

How can you get involved?

You don’t have to be living with MS to get involved with MS Week. One of the more popular – and fun – campaign initiatives is Be Bold In Blue. And it’s perfect if you’re sartorially-minded. Simply wear as much blue as you possibly can. Or host a blue-themed dinner party. Last year, one culinary maverick even cooked-up blue spaghetti. The rule is simple: the more blue, the better!

>> Find out more about Be Bold In Blue at www.mstrust.org.uk/blue

MS and travel insurance

MS is unpredictable. However, we know that in most cases MS is no reason not to enjoy a happy holiday. And we know that a little sunshine can go a long way in helping to manage some of the symptoms. That’s why, unlike some travel insurers, we give travel-lovers with MS the same great cover as we give to every other policyholder. And we’ll do it at a price that’s fair. No exorbitant quotes. No travelling under-insured. Perfect.

Our MS travel insurance comes with great medical benefit too, like £5 million worth of cover for medical costs. That could prove invaluable if something unexpected happens and you need medical treatment in an unfamiliar country. We’ll also give you cancellation cover for your holiday as well as protection for your baggage and valuables. And with our low policy excesses, you’ll never be left out of pocket if you need to make a claim. So if you’re living with MS and fancy getting away, let us give you a little extra peace of mind before you leave.

Take a look at our multiple sclerosis travel insurance at www.world-first.co.uk.

Related posts:

1. GUEST POST: Be Bold in Blue this MS Awareness Week!

What does it mean to have MS? | World First Travel Insurance Blog

March brought another exciting instalment of our monthly travel writing competition, My World First. Anna Mochnacka from Barcelona made us hope we never have to visit the Doctor in Laos. Barnaby Davies got more than he bargained for when he visited an Austrian salt mine. And Beverley Keenan from Blackpool reminded us of the frustrations of lost baggage.

That’s not all. In what will no doubt surprise plenty of male readers, 1,000 camels weren’t enough to lure Charmaine Brown’s husband into selling his other half during the Essex couple’s holiday in Morocco. Eleanor Bransden from Littlehampton added to her self-proclaimed ‘extensive’ repertoire of embarrassing gaffes while travelling in Greece. And we were as perplexed as Bryan Poynton from Surrey when we read about his Nepalese meal of apple pie…and chips

While Jonathan Wallen from Newport pushed his stamina to the limit 2,000 ft above sea level in Southern Peru, Kate Daniel found her paradise when she swapped Grimsby for the Maldives. And last month’s winner, Mandy Huggins, had a close encounter with a deadly snake in The Gambia.

We’d like to say a big, big thank you to everyone who entered. But there could only be one winner. The judges’ decisions are in. March’s winner was a writer who had a very memorable train journey through Russia. And that’s putting it lightly. Congratulations to Paul Bingley from Suffolk. Here’s his Kindle-winning entry…

You might want to cross your legs.

///

Short description:

Escaping Russia after my first visit, a scream has cut me dead in my tracks. Glared at through the darkness, I realise I’m caught short – in more ways than one.

Long description:

For two weeks, I’d been flung across Russia in varying degrees of pain. Now I could finally relax. There’d be no more folding myself into those oil-streaked airborne contraptions that whiffed of mildew and cabbage. The next five hundred miles of my journey home would be spent stretched-out on an overnight train to Moscow. This was to be a first class, sleep-filled slide back to familiarity.

I’d had some pleasant enough moments in Ulyanovsk. Only the day before, I’d floated along the Volga River which slithers through the city like a fat snake. I’d lolled on its grassy banks eating shashlik in the company of beautiful women. I’d then tiptoed through the childhood home of its famous son, Vladimir Lenin, before heading west. At Ulyanovsk Station, I’d breezily sidestepped scores of plump women selling apples and hopped aboard the Firmenny express bound for Moscow.

Things had taken a turn for the worst, though. Dozing fitfully, I’d slipped unceremoniously off my bunk as the train crossed some points. Then I’d been woken by an old woman barging noisily into my compartment. She’d grumbled and then heaved herself onto the bunk above me. Scared, I’d briefly considered offering her assistance, but didn’t. Grabbing her ample backside and giving it an undignified shove didn’t seem right. I’d remained furtively asleep instead.

Any sweet dreams were shattered once and for all by a screech and hammer-like thud. I’d rolled off my bunk, grappled with the door and strode purposefully into the corridor. I’d then fumbled for the toilet door and found it locked. Making my way through to the next carriage, I was jolted by a scream. Glaring at me from the tracks below was a female guard who seemed far from happy.

“Tyalet zakrit!”

I shrugged my shoulders and feigned ignorance. I was, after all, an Englishman in need of the toilet. She barked again and I realised two things. Firstly, the train had stopped and all the toilets had been locked. Secondly, I’d slept walked through the entire carriage wearing only my underpants. I was now faced with a dilemma. Do I return to the compartment and wake the old woman, or do I stand in the corridor in my y-fronts? I wanted only one thing – for Russia to swallow me up.

///

Got your own travel tale and a way with words? Then you should definitely enter our travel writing competition. You could win yourself a Kindle!

>> Find out how to enter now

Related posts:

1. February’s My World First winner…
2. Announcing January’s travel writing competition winner!
3. Congratulations to our World First Wednesday winner!

March’s My World First winner… | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Ready for a shocking statistic? 75% of people around the world living with a bleeding disorder do not receive the treatment they need. That’s just one of the messages that the World Federation of Haemophilia is hoping to share on World Haemophilia Day. April 17th will see events take place across the globe to raise awareness of haemophilia and other bleeding conditions. And while medical standards are very good here in the UK, general awareness of the condition is patchy. Perhaps that’s why it remains difficult for haemophiliacs to get good, affordable travel insurance. World First can help.

What is haemophilia?

Haemophilia is a genetic condition that affects the blood’s ability to clot. Normally, if you cut yourself, clotting factors combine with blood cells to make the blood sticky and clot. But in haemophilia there are not as many clotting factors in the blood as there should be, which causes patients to bleed for longer than usual. Many people associate the condition with external bleeding. However, painful internal bleeding around the joints and muscles is more common.

How common is haemophilia?

More common than you might have thought. It’s estimated that one person in every 1,000 has haemophilia or a similar type of bleeding disorder. Yet the World Federation of Haemophilia (the organisation behind World Haemophilia Day) argues that most people do not receive adequate diagnosis, treatment and management for their conditions. Thankfully, here in the UK haemophilia is well managed. But it remains a condition that few outside the medical profession really know about. This lack of awareness could be responsible for how difficult it can be for people living with haemophilia and other blood disorders to get good travel insurance at an affordable price.

>> Find out more about World Haemophilia Day

Haemophilia travel insurance with World First

Living with haemophilia is no reason not to enjoy a great holiday. But the unpredictable nature of the condition makes it crucial to take out the right kind of medical travel insurance before you head for the runway. The problem is that many insurers refuse to cover haemophilia. And others massively inflate their premiums when you declare the condition. At World First we’re different. We can give you comprehensive travel insurance at a price that’s fair. So you can jet off with the peace of mind you need for a happy holiday.

Our haemophilia travel insurance comes with £5 million worth of cover for medical costs and 24/7 access to emergency assistance, anywhere in the world. And if something really unexpected happens and you’re involved in a medical emergency, we’ll fly a paramedic out from the UK to make sure you receive the best medical care possible. We cover both haemophilia A and haemophilia B. And we also cover acquired haemophilia and similar blood conditions such as von Willebrand’s Disease.

>> Read what else is covered by our haemophilia travel insurance

We’re the travel insurance specialists. Visit www.world-first.co.uk to find out why.

Related posts:

1. World Kidney Day | When, why and what’s happening near you?
2. April awareness: making life easier for bowel cancer patients
3. What medical conditions can we offer travel insurance to cover?

World Haemophilia Day | Are patients getting the care they need? | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Following last week’s post on Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign’s creators, Bowel Cancer UK, write a guest post about the signs and symptoms of the condition and tell us why the campaign is so important.

Bowel Cancer UK is encouraging men and women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month – April 2012.

Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal or colon cancer) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, affecting both men and women. Every year over 40,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and more than 16,000 people die of the disease. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Bowel cancer is very treatable, especially if it’s caught early. That’s why awareness of the symptoms is so important.

The bowel

The bowel is part of the digestive system. When we chew food, our salivary glands break it down for absorption and it enters the stomach via the oesophagus. Stomach acid helps to break it down further and it then enters the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed. The digested food enters the large bowel where water is absorbed, and the muscles of the bowel move the waste towards the rectum and anus where it leaves the body. This process takes around 24 to 72 hours.

Many bowel cancer cases start from polyps, which are small mushroom-like growths which are usually benign (harmless) and very common in people over the age of 50. Most polyps will remain harmless but some can become cancerous. A healthy diet and lifestyle may help stop polyps becoming cancerous.

The symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer, and visiting your doctor if you have concerns is crucial to the successful treatment of bowel cancer.

Symptoms of bowel cancer include:

•    Bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in your poo
•    A change in your normal bowel habit lasting three weeks or more
•    Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
•    Unexplained weight loss
•    A pain or lump in your tummy

Remember, most symptoms will not be bowel cancer. If you are worried about any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor or speak to one of our specialist nurses on 0800 8 40 35 40 or email support@bowelcanceruk.org.uk.

More information on bowel cancer and Bowel Cancer UK can be found on our website: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk.

At World First we offer cost-effective bowel cancer travel insurance, whether you have been recently diagnosed or have been given the all clear. Visit our website for more details.

Related posts:

1. April awareness: making life easier for bowel cancer patients
2. “79,000 UK cancer cases could be prevented each year” | World Cancer Day
3. New figures reveal urgent need for research into lung cancer in the UK

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2012 | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Off on your travels this Easter? Great! Here are a few things you should make sure are ticked off your holiday checklist before you get cracking…

European Health Insurance Card

If you’re travelling in Europe you’ll want to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Don’t worry, it’s free. The EHIC is the replacement of the old E111 and it entitles you to the same level of free medical care as the residents of the country you are visiting receive. So if you slip on the slopes or bump your head in the bar, you won’t – in most cases – have to pay for your treatment. However, wielding your EHIC does not necessarily mean that any medical care you receive will automatically be without cost. Not all European countries offer completely free health services…

You can pick up an EHIC, or renew an expired card, for free at www.ehic.org.uk.

Get wise on the FCO website

So you’re in Greece minding your own business before, all of a sudden, the car you’ve parked behind bursts into flames. What’s worse is that this quickly-combusting banger is right next to a timeless historic artefact. Clearly this is time to call the emergency services. But…what’s the number?

If you’d have spent five minutes visiting the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office website before you left, you’d know that dialling 999 from a British mobile in Greece will automatically redirect you to the local emergency services.

In fact, the FCO website offers a wealth of useful local information for destinations across the world. Is the water safe to drink? Are there any bizarre local customs you should be aware of? Do you need any vaccinations before hitting the runway? The FCO website will tell you.

Don’t forget the travel insurance…

Travel insurance is essential. As travel insurers ourselves, we know all too well that holiday thrills can easily be accompanied by holiday spills. And there are few things worse than getting caught out on your travels. Without doubt, the most important part of any policy is the medical section. Medical costs can easily spiral into thousands of pounds, particularly if something really unexpected goes wrong and you need emergency treatment.

Now, we’re all in favour of going on holiday and leaving your worries behind. But it’s essential to be prepared – unless you plan on packing trousers that have very deep pockets, if you know what we mean. A good travel insurance policy will also keep you financially protected against trip cancellation and curtailment, the loss of baggage or valuables and travel delay.

Take a look at cost-effective travel insurance with World First.

Travelling with a medical condition? Tell your insurer.

Good medical cover is extra important if you’re travelling with a medical condition. And if you do have pre-existing medical conditions, it’s essential to declare them to your travel insurer before you purchase your policy. If you don’t, you risk invalidating your entire policy. Which could be an expensive mistake.

Unfortunately, many insurers inflate their premiums for some conditions. They may even refuse to cover you if your condition is seen as ‘high risk’. Is that fair? At World First we don’t think so. That’s why we offer cost-effective cover and 24/7 emergency assistance for thousands of conditions.

So what do you do if you’ve taken out a policy without realising you need to declare your medical conditions(s)? We’d recommend contacting your insurer by phone or email to talk through your situation. Email is preferable because it means you’ll have written records of your communication. Your insurer will be within their rights to inflate your premium, but if you feel they’re being unreasonable and you think you can find a better deal elsewhere you can get a 100% refund on your policy if you’ve taken it out within the last 14 days.

Take a look at medical travel insurance with World First.

Related posts:

1. Getting married abroad? Read this.
2. Travel Insurance News and Easter Holidays

Going abroad this Easter? Here’s a last-minute checklist… | World First Travel Insurance Blog