At World First we take the medical benefits of our travel insurance very seriously. Every single one of our customers receives £5 million worth of cover for medical costs. That covers treatment, replacing medication and repatriation to the UK if you need to be treated here.

You might think £5 million sounds like a lot.

It is. But we don’t want to risk our customers getting caught out. The cost of foreign medical care can very rapidly get out of control. Way out of control. And if you haven’t got travel insurance cover, you’ll have to find a way to pay the costs yourself. Not having a policy is not an excuse.

Take a look at this short viral from the Foreign Office. Could you afford to lose out in the same position?

To see what other policy benefits you get with World First, or to get a quick online quote visit www.world-first.co.uk.

Want to comment on this post? Got something to say? Get in touch.

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£5 million medical cover with every policy. Here’s why. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

We love a guest post here at World First and we’re delighted to hand you over to surfing fanatic Josh Aggars from Flip Flops City. If you know your thick right barrels from your frontside cutbacks, you’ll be delighted too. Josh combines his love of surfing with a flair for writing. So even when that perfect wave is just out of reach, the perfect words to describe his adventures are never far away. Here, we join him on a journey to Costa Rica…

Costa Rica is one of those places that every surfer should head to at least once. Not only is it a beautiful country but it offers some incredible surf spots that leave your local break in the shade.

As such it was little surprise that I found myself with my regular crew of Jonny, Dan and Tim en route to this Central American paradise a couple of years back with dreams in our heads and excitement in our guts. But, at first, it wasn’t quite what we expected. Here’s how we got on.

The first place we headed to on our surf odyssey was Puerto Viejo. We’d heard the main spot, Salsa Brava, can be a random wave but on its day is one of Costa Rica’s best. It’s a thick right barrel, which breaks on a sharp reef bed. We’d seen videos of the waves in action that would make you rub your hands in excitement. Sadly, we were greeted with nothing but useless flotsam beach breaks. And despite staying put for a couple of days to give the place a chance, we never experienced anything close to what we’d envisaged.

Disappointed, we took our cue to move on and booked tickets for a bus heading further down the coast to Pavones to follow a path recommended by some Australian surfers we’d read about online. Pavones was great and pulsing when we arrived. The swell has thousands of miles to travel to reach the break and the first morning we were there we immediately got out to the line up.

With beautiful sun kissed skies and great friends all around it was time to test this long, consistent wave. And after a few frontside cutbacks the wave was still pumping. No wonder some claim it to be one of the longest in the world.  This was what we had come all this way for.  You could surf it for close to a mile without letting up.

As the day wore on we enjoyed some great sets before the approach of mid-morning. Feeling the pull of the beach bar we made our way in and sat with our backs to the sun sipping on a cold local brew.  Can life get any better?

Yes it can.

As good as Pavones was that first day, the swell just got bigger and better on the subsequent days. In fact, it was so good that we had to extend our stay in the rented house we’d taken.  When you travel this far for great waves and initially compare them to those at home, a few extra pounds out of your pocket are of little consequence. Even if it means forsaking a few meals!

It seemed only right to stay and soak up what was on offer.  The great thing was that the majority of the crowd – mainly Americans but also some Ozzies and locals – were up for it. So whilst we had a great time in the water, we also got to know quite a few fellow surfers in the bar each night.

Alas, all good things must end.

I always find a surf holiday far harder to leave than a regular one. When you enjoy great surf and know how long you may go without it, the loss seems to take on an added weight.  As such, it was with regret that we left Pavones after twelve days to catch our flight home. Knowing that we’d left the likes of Punta Dominical untouched almost brought a tear to the eye. But still, you can’t complain when you’ve had a fortnight of double overhead barrels.

Sometimes life is good. And sometimes life is really, really, really good!

www.twitter.com/joshaggars
www.flipflopscity.com
www.world-first.co.uk

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Guest post: Coast of riches? The pleasures and pains of a surf trip to Costa Rica. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

The Rugby World Cup kicks off tomorrow. If you’re joining the scrum of rugby fans from the UK who are heading out to New Zealand to get involved, you’ll want to spend a couple of minutes reading the travel advice that the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office have put together especially for rugby revellers.

Alcohol-free zones are strongly enforced, amber means STOP and under no circumstances should you pack honey in your luggage. And if it’s in a crocodile-skin bag, well, forget what’s happening on the pitch – it might be you that’s in for the shock of the tournament.

As ever, the FCO’s advice is bang on the money. A few of the key points they have raised are listed below. But it’s seriously worth taking two minutes to read their full advice. New Zealand has some quirky local laws and customs and knowing about them could potentially save you a lot of hassle.

Read the FCO’s advice here: www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/your-trip/rugby-world-cup

Natural disasters

While they might be rare, when natural disasters strike they are normally very destructive. New Zealand is susceptible to earthquakes and extreme weather that can very quickly make conditions extremely hazardous. Take out your travel insurance with us over at www.world-first.co.uk and you’ll be covered for trip curtailment, trip delay, trip abandonment, baggage loss as well as any medical costs that are the result of such freak event.

Health

There are two good reasons for wrapping up in New Zealand. The fact that the temperature generally falls somewhere between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius at this time of year can make it feel a little chilly at times. But the ozone layer is thinner above New Zealand, which also means many people catch sunburn more easily than in the UK. This thin ozone layer can make asthma sufferers more susceptible to an attack. Rest assured if you declare your condition when you insure with us, you’ll be fully covered for any medical treatment you need as a result of your asthma. See our asthma travel insurance page for more.

Travel insurance (and extreme sports)

Finally, make sure you’ve got your travel insurance sorted. Missing a game because of a delayed flight would be bad enough. But if the unexpected happens and you have an accident out in New Zealand you could be left with life-changing bills. Also, because New Zealand is renowned for its extreme sports, the FCO recommend checking your policy to make sure there are no exclusions for things like bungee jumping or white water rafting. Let us tell you right now that you’ve got the green light from us to go ahead and enjoy yourself. With our policies you’re covered for over 75 sports and activities, including extreme sports. Take a look at our policy wording page for more details.

You can read the FCO’s full advice at www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/your-trip/rugby-world-cup. It’s two minutes well spent as it could save you a lot of hassle. There’s a free guide to all the matches too as well that you can download too.

From all of us at World First, have a great time.

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The Rugby World Cup is almost here! Here’s what you need to know. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

There’s an exciting endurance opportunity coming up that’s perfect for those that like a challenge. The London to Paris Bike Ride gives you the chance to take on a calf-crunching 234 mile route through two countries over the course of three days. And you might just be able to do your bit to help fight breast cancer too.

Ready to saddle up?

The challenge begins in London, where you and hundreds of others will set off on the journey to one of Europe’s most famous cities. Once you and the rest of the peloton have cycled past Hampton Court, the route snakes along the quiet country roads of the North and South Downs to Portsmouth, where you’ll board a ferry for a well-earned rest.

The second day begins in France. You’ll cycle through delightful French hamlets and through stunning French countryside until you reach the town of Evreux. Then, the following day, it’s time for the final leg of the journey to Paris. Your stamina will be stretched and your endurance tested as your 73 mile cycle takes you through over 1,000 metres of ascent. It’s tough. But it will have all been worth it as you roll up to the finish line underneath the Arc de Triomphe, where you’ll be greeted with smiles, cheers and a richly deserved glass of Champagne.

Find out more at www.charitychallenge.com.

The event raises money for a range of charities, including Breast Cancer Campaign. Their mission is to beat breast cancer by funding world class research into how breast cancer develops. They aim to move towards improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of breast cancer, which sees 45,500 new diagnoses every year in the UK alone. That’s 125 new diagnoses a day. Since 1988, Breast Cancer Campaign have funded over 330 separate breast cancer research projects, donating a total of £35 million. Now that’s got to be worth some extra pedal power.

When it comes to travel insurance, at World First we believe in a fairer deal for those with breast cancer. In fact, our cancer travel insurance has allowed thousands of travel-lovers affected by cancer to see more of the world, whether they have been newly diagnosed or are recovering from the condition. And, unlike some other insurers, we provide the cover at a price that won’t put the brakes on your holiday ambitions.

If you’d like to find out a little more about our cancer travel insurance, visit World First. And if you’re taking part in the ride to Paris, don’t forget to come to us for a quick quote for your cover.

www.charitychallenge.com
www.breastcancercampaign.org
www.world-first.co.uk

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Got the power to pedal to Paris? | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Some might say there’s often little cause to celebrate Wednesdays. But tomorrow is different. It marks the beginning of the one year countdown to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, which we seem to be racing towards with a pace not dissimilar to Usain Bolt’s.

So how will you be enjoying the Games? Even if you weren’t lucky enough to land tickets for one of the events in the ballot, lots of people are planning to visit London and the various other hosting towns and cities to soak up some of the Olympics spirit. And why not? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have the Olympic Games in our own back yard.

But with an additional 700,000 journeys forecasted to take place in London alone, it’s clear that planning your Olympic adventure is key if you’re to scoop gold. That means making sure everything for your trip away is arranged as early as possible, from your transport requirements to a convenient and comfortable place to stay. Thankfully, whether you’re a UK citizen or someone visiting the UK from abroad, there’s one simple little thing you can do to help make sure you glide over any planning hurdles like a true pro.

For UK citizens

When you’re visiting somewhere in the UK, it’s easy to think you don’t need any kind of travel insurance. It’s a mistake lots of people make. But travelling without insurance can be costly. What happens if an internal flight is cancelled or delayed? Or what if you’re forced to cancel your holiday at the last minute and lose the deposit on your accommodation?

We have two policies created especially for travel in the UK that can help.

Guest First is the most thorough policy and offers comprehensive cover should you have to cancel or cut short your Olympic getaway. You’ll also receive compensation for public transport delays of twelve hours or more, whether those delays are caused by industrial action, weather conditions or mechanical breakdown. On top of that, you’ll have access to our 24/7 emergency assistance service should something unexpected happen. For more details visit www.guestfirst.co.uk.

Looking for something a little lighter? Try Hotelsure. It provides cover for all accommodation and pre-booked travel costs as well as the loss of baggage, cash and personal documents. It’s an essential addition to the holiday checklist. For more information head to www.hotelsure-insurance.co.uk.

For B&B owners and hoteliers

If you work in the tourist accommodation trade, we won’t need to tell you that it’s not uncommon for guests to cancel their bookings. Sometimes at the last minute. It’s frustrating. And if you can’t replace their room then you could be left out of pocket. Visitorsure is a policy made especially for those in the trade that protects against the money lost from cancelled bookings. For more information call us on 0845 90 80 171.

For foreign travellers visiting the UK

Visiting the UK from abroad next summer? Don’t forget to pack the travel insurance! We consider it essential for any trip abroad. That’s why we’ve teamed up with some of the world’s leading insurance brands to offer comprehensive cover to non-UK residents from over 150 countries. Our partners have been handpicked based on their commitment to providing the same high levels of quality and service as us. And, just like us, they provide thorough medical travel insurance too. To find out more visit www.world-first.co.uk.

Here’s to London 2012!

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Going for gold? The countdown to the Olympics begins! | World First Travel Insurance Blog

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.

And that’s where you’d rather be doing the swoosh than the FOOSH, especially if you haven’t sorted out your snowboarding travel insurance before you go.  FOOSH or Falling On Out Stretched Hand is a term used by doctors in the mountains to describe the most common cause of injury seen among snowboarders. It happens because the first reaction you’ll have as you fall is to put your arm out to save yourself. It’s an instinctive reaction. However, if you look at the following stats from http://www.ski-injury.com you might want to think about how you approach your trip to the mountains!

• Over 25% of all injuries to boarders are wrist related
• 43% of all snowboard injuries are attributable to first time riders
• 30% of injuries seen by professionals are fractures

So. Still thinking about it? Good. But read this first.

 Preparation is everything

Wrist guards, which will provide vital strength and support if you fall, are de rigeur for the first time boarder. They range from simple protectors available from chemists to expensive gloves with inbuilt shock absorbers. In line skaters use a simple wrist guard that can easily be worn under gloves.

Before you go, also think about the process of falling, and how you can protect your wrists. You need to roll as much as possible, if you are falling on your front use the forearm, falling backwards means rolling with your bottom and back, have a practice at keeping your hands out of the way. Unless you have a weak wrist you might be able to leave the wrist protectors at your accommodation after a few days but trust me, they are very helpful for beginners.

You are going to spend a long time on your behind. Make sure you have adequate clothing to keep you warm and dry. Sitting on cold snow quickly gets uncomfortable. Good underclothes and proper snowboard pants are a must. The slacker look of low slung pants and tight jackets often means that when sitting down your midriff is exposed, that soon gets to be a drag every time you sit down to buckle in.

Many modern sports shops will stock lower torso protectors that can be worn under your snowboard pants. These lightweight, plastic and breathable slip-ons are affordable and available all over the place. The protection they give to the bottom and coccyx can be extremely useful for the beginner.

The next most common injury seen by doctors is to the head or face. Beginners often catch the wrong edge in the transition between turns or on long schusses. So there’s no shame in wearing a helmet. You will be very glad you bought your after your first slam!

And last but not least…

Winter sports travel insurance is a must for any snowboarding trip so please make sure you are adequately covered. Every week in every resort in every bar you’ll hear the same old tale of the incredible costs accrued by an unlucky accident. So don’t forget that the insurance that’s offered with your lift pass is only enough to get you to the bottom of the mountain. After that, without proper insurance, you’re on your own.

So what’s it to be? Swoosh or Foosh?

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Make sure it’s more swoosh, less FOOSH this half term | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Sharm El Sheikh beaches re-open

Following the spate of shark attacks in Sharm El Sheikh, which saw the death of one tourist and four others injured, the Egyptian authorities have re-opened all of the resort’s beaches.

For holiday makers looking for the unique thrill of diving in clear Egyptian waters this will come as good news. And, with restrictions in place to keep holiday makers safe, the Egyptian authorities are confident that no more attacks will occur.

Swimmers and divers will only be allowed to dive, snorkel and swim is areas that have been designated  by the authorities and that are patrolled by divers and spotter boats. Hotels along the beaches will also be required to man watch towers to scan the seas for possible intruders.

What this means for UK travellers who are heading for Sharm El Sheikh is that it’s business as usual. However, here at World First we have to remind all travellers that, whilst their scuba diving travel insurance will cover them automatically up to 30 metres, it excludes diving outside the designated areas. Likewise with swimming and snorkelling. Should anything happen when you are outside of the patrolled areas then you could face hefty bills for medical care and repatriation. As usual, the word from our insurers is caution.

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Now that it’s safe to go back in the water… | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Jaws is back. It’s like Amity all over again. Only this time it’s for real. And it really is very frightening. Whilst shark attacks are rare in the Red Sea the last week has seen one death and three injuries involving divers and snorkelers. It’s making headlines all over the world.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism 1,346,724 British Nationals visited Egypt in 2009. Many of them visited Sharm El Sheikh.

The recent attacks have prompted the UK Foreign Office to issue a warning to travellers to check that their travel insurance covers them for scuba diving and snorkelling. They say: “If you are considering diving or snorkelling in any of the Red Sea resorts be aware that safety standards of diving operators can vary considerably. A basic rule is never to dive or snorkel unaccompanied. Where possible make any bookings through your tour representative. Unusually cheap operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards. Ensure that your travel insurance covers you fully before you dive. Diving beyond the depth limit of your insurance policy will invalidate your cover.”

Despite the fact that you’d be bonkers to slip on the flippers in Egypt right now (never mind the fact that diving and water sport activities in the Sharm El Sheikh area are suspended) a World First Scuba Diving Travel Insurance policy will automatically cover you for diving to 30 metres as long as you are qualified and with a qualified guide. Should the unimaginable happen then hospital treatment and repatriation can prove very costly – especially if your insurance company refuses to cover the cost because you were diving beyond your ability – and policy.

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Foreign Office issues insurance warning over shark attacks in Egypt | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month. And that means it’s a legitimate time to start thinking about Christmas. But before we all head off to get merry, here’s a final word on skiing travel insurance. It’s short and to the point. After reading a report in Saturday’s Daily Telegraph about drunken skiing invalidating claims, we thought we should clarify where we stand with drinking and skiing holidays and travel insurance.

For many, après ski is an important part of the whole experience. And alcohol is very much a part of ski culture. Why wouldn’t it be? But the days of drinking and skiing may be coming to an end. The Telegraph article cites American resorts imposing fines on drunken and dangerous skiers, whilst insurers can refuse to pay out if a skiing accident (or even falling over and injuring yourself on the way back from the pub) is deemed to have been the result of excessive alcohol consumption. This policy exclusion is to protect them against the increased risk of injuries following alcohol consumption.

But what happens if you have been drinking, perfectly legally, and are involved in an accident? Or what about if you are hit by someone else whilst having consumed alcohol? Clarity needed!

So, here’s what World First Winter Sports Travel Insurance’s underwriters had to say:

1. If the accident is as a result of intoxication / alcohol consumption the claim would not be covered. If the incident has been caused by any external factor / event not related to the consumption of alcohol then the claim may be considered on its own merits taking into consideration any contributing factors. If however it is evident that the claim has been caused as a direct consequence of alcohol ingestion clearly this is strictly excluded as per the policy exclusion.
2. Clearly the onus is on the client as to whether they want to want to consume alcohol. It goes without saying that we would expect our clients to be mindful and conscious of their alcohol intake. No guarantee can be given of whether any claim is covered until all facts/circumstances are obtained.

 The message here is that, whilst there’s nothing to stop you drinking on your skiing holiday, moderation and good sense could save you from a hefty medical bill if you are injured on the slopes. And that includes skiing with a hangover, just as it does with driving the next day after drinking. So, as always, moderation is required. If you’re going on the piste, don’t do it on the slopes. And don’t forget your World First Travel Insurance.

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On the piste? Have fun, but don’t ski. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Going wild? Read the small print first.

It seems that you won’t have to go too far to get snow this week. Winter has well and truly arrived. It’s enough to turn our thoughts to winter sports isn’t it? Funny that, especially when we’ve been talking about it all this month in the World First blog. Perhaps we should have saved it until December and had a little punt on it being a white Christmas this year?

Nevertheless, this is a good time to start thinking about winter sports holidays. There’s nothing like a dusting of the white stuff to get us searching the attic for our sliding gear and salopettes. But before you go mad, jump on the ski train, book a flight to Geneva and pack up the car for the Cairngorms, make sure that you spend just five minutes reading the small print of your holiday insurance before you go. At least that’s what Simon Jack from BBC Breakfast was urging us to do this morning. He’s right too. When you’re half way up a mountain and fancy going wild among the trees I doubt you’ll have your policy documents with you will you? Probably not.

The reason we say this is because many policies simply won’t cover you if you go off piste. So if you leave the safety of the runs and fall down a tree hole (and I sincerely hope you don’t) you’ll soon find out that the bill for your medical expenses and even repatriation could land on your doorstep. With a very loud thud I shouldn’t wonder.

The important thing to do is check before you go. Or buy your winter sports travel insurance from someone who’ll cover you for most eventualities, like skiing off-piste! World First ski travel insurance policies will cover you for skiing or snowboarding off-piste – as long as you remain within resort boundaries or go with a qualified guide. That means that you’ll need to plan a little if you want to go for the srious stuff. But at least you’ll be able to do it without worrying.

And, as for all the other unexpected eventualities on your ski holiday, World First winter sports travel insurance will cover most things such as piste closure, loss of equipment, loss of luggage, being unable to ski. They will even cover you if you decide to take up ice skating while you’re there. But if you plan on trying out the ski jump, better take another look at the small print. Just in case.

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Snow joke if you get caught off-piste! | World First Travel Insurance Blog