It’s heartbreaking watching the news today. As we stare open mouthed at our televisions it’s hard to imagine the magnitude of what has happened in Japan and what is about to happen in the rest of the Pacific. Tidal wave alerts are in force in Russia, Hawaii, The Philippines, Indonesia, Alaska, Central America and even South America. The Tsunami that resulted from the largest earthquake to hit the country since records began over a hundred years ago has already hit the north east coast of Japan. Its magnitude has been put at 8.8 on the Richter scale with some reports putting the wave height of the tsunami at 10 metres. To give it some scale the earthquake that hit Christchurch last month was 6.3.

As I write this the latest warning has been for the California coast. The situation is changing all the time but of course it’s hard to know what is really happening on the ground and it’s even harder for us to know what to do. All we can hope for is the best that the warnings that have been issued will make a big difference.

Advice for those caught up in the quake

The Japanese government has issued statements and warnings of aftershocks and advised the population to stay away from coastal areas. Naturally travel advice will change as the situation develops but the message from World First Travel Insurance  for anyone caught up in the quake, tsunami and its aftermath is that help will be available for those who need it. Whilst there is nothing that World First can do to keep people safe as events unfold, their 24 hour advice lines (the number is on all policy documents) will remain open. They say: “We will of course assist anyone who is stuck out there and needs to return home on a case by case basis, as referred and authorised by our underwriters, professional Travel Insurance Company Ltd (as per requirements of the policy) or anyone injured will obviously be covered under Medical Expenses and repatriation sections of their travel insurance policy.”

For those with travel plans to the Pacific

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to Japan. As carriers they will be obliged to rebook any cancelled passengers on another flight when appropriate. For people booked on to other airlines it is best to check before you travel whether or not the airline will fly. Like wise they will have an obligation to your ticket to get you where you are going or to refund you if you are delayed for more than 5 hours and you are flying from within the EU. We wrote about extreme circumstances, known as Force Majeure, in a previous post. You can read it here.

For World First Travel Insurance Policy Holders

At the time of writing those policy holders with flights booked to the Pacific region should note that cancellation will not be covered. It would be classed as a “disinclination to travel” by the insurers.

Policy holders should also note that Travel Delay or Abandonment will not be covered as the situation does not come under Adverse Weather, Mechanical Breakdown or Strike.

Also, a Missed Departure will only be covered if the policy holder was travelling on public transport and this is delayed, making them too late catch your flight and covering for additional costs incurred in reaching destination up to the policy limit.

 Our advice though is to check with the Foreign Office and the airline to find out what the travel situation is like at your destination. If you are heading to the airport, be prepared for a wait.

What can we do?

At the moment it’s hard to know what to do. We know that charities like Shelterbox, who have worked so hard in places like Haiti, have said they are monitoring the situation and are ready to act. You can find out more by following them on Twitter ( @shelterbox ) or by following the founder, Tom Henderson ( @shelterboxTomH). Alternatively, keep an eye on the media for Tsunami relief. And please be prepared to put your hands in your pockets.

Related posts:

1. FCO update advice for travel to Kenya following another deadly attack. Where do travellers stand?
2. Foreign Office revises its travel advice for Japan
3. The World First Weekly Wander

Aftershock. World First advice for travellers in Pacific region following earthquake in Japan. | World First Travel Insurance Blog

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.

Related posts:

1. Aftershock. World First advice for travellers in Pacific region following earthquake in Japan.
2. Post-quake travel advice for Murcia, Spain.
3. Summer indecision? Solve it with a holiday on wheels.

New Zealand Quake Reassurance | World First Travel Insurance Blog

In recent months Thailand has been embroiled in political turmoil opposing the red-shirted supporters of former Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra and government forces backed by the military. The six-party coalition is under pressure from its supporters in the upper classes and from royalists to crack down on the mainly poor red shirts.

Thailand has a constitutional monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej who has been on the throne since June 1946, making him the world’s longest reigning king. The government is freely-elected with a Prime Minister at its head. However, the military has had a tendency to intervene from time to time when it doesn’t like the government or it does something it doesn’t to upset it. The last time was in 2006 to remove the previously mentioned Taksin Shinawatra. Perhaps they didn’t like him buying Manchester City?

So why is the situation getting bad?

The political unrest started at the beginning of March with protesters demanding fresh and free elections. Portrayed by the media as simple country folk who were deluded in their allegiance, they were compared to water buffalo. Apparently that’s quite an insult in Thailand.

In mid-March things took a turn for the worse. The protesters moved into the more swanky areas of Bangkok and their daily rallies took on a more confrontational tone. Things came to a head on April 10th when the army and riot police tried to remove the protesters by force. Gunmen clad in black appeared on the protesters’ side and the army had to retreat. Not before 25 people were killed, including a Reuters’ cameraman.

There is now something of a face off with both sides making claims and counter-claims and rumours that a new crackdown is imminent. It’s quite a dangerous place to go, especially if you don’t need to be there.

What does the Foreign Office say?

To quote the their statement directly:

• We advise against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok, in light of ongoing political demonstrations and outbreaks of violence within the city. This advice does not apply to passengers transiting Bangkok airport on their way to other destinations in Thailand or internationally.
• British Nationals should exercise extreme caution throughout the country and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, some of which have recently turned violent.
• The line of the international border in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai) is the subject of dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Fighting broke out on 15th October 2008, between Thai and Cambodian troops along the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple (Khao Pra Viharn in Thai). We advise against all travel to this region. The appointment of ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as Economic Adviser by the Cambodian government in November has raised tensions between the two countries further.  You should remain alert to the local situation when travelling in other border regions and at land crossings between the two countries.
• If violence breaks out again British nationals are advised to remain indoors and to monitor the media and this website. Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal. The route to the airport from Bangkok city remains open.

What does that mean for my travel insurance?

As a general rule, when the Foreign Office says “We advise against all travel to this region”, it means that you will not be covered by your travel insurance. In a nutshell, “you were warned”. When however it advises against “all but essential travel”, that’s when things get complicated. What actually is “essential travel”?

If you are in transit, on the way to Australia for example, you have nothing to worry about as you won’t ever see any trouble remaining at all times air side. If during your transit you take a trip into Bangkok for whatever reason, you need to be careful. If you are travelling for business, the official line currently is that your travel is essential and you will be covered. However, given the powder keg situation at the moment, you might be advised to put it off if you possibly can. If you are going on holiday however, you won’t be covered and you go their on your own back. Other personal matters such is visiting a sick relative or attending a funeral are considered essential.

In addition to all that of course, at the time of writing, almost 3,000 British travellers are stranded at the airport. That’s the subject of another post.

Related posts:

1. All but essential travel to Bangkok – update
2. All but essential travel to Bangkok – update 2
3. How to make your journey easier with Essential Holiday Extras

All but essential travel to Bangkok | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Because if you get a problem, the Embassy or Consulate or whatever it’s called will be around to help you. Won’t they?

Well, they won’t. There is a limited amount of things the Foreign Office can do for you, but getting you home isn’t one of them. Our friend Danny went away recently. It has to be said that he was particularly unlucky, but any one of the things that happened to him could happen to you. Have a look at this video to see what happened.

Then again, whilst you might not get into trouble, there’s all kinds of things that could go wrong

Related posts:

1. No tax increases for World First travel insurance customers.
2. Foreign Office issues insurance warning over shark attacks in Egypt
3. Must you take the insurance your travel agent tries to sell you?

Travel insurance isn’t worth it | World First Travel Insurance Blog

Many years ago when I was a teenager, I set off with a mate from school on a train (well, a few trains) across Europe with a final destination of Istanbul. We both went away with backpacks, tickets and passports, our wits and not much else. We had the transit visas for Yugoslavia and Bulgaria that we needed in those days when the Berlin Wall was still very much in still standing, but that was about all the planning we did. We had a couple of scrapes, particularly losing each other in Belgrade when the coaches were shunted off to a different platform.

A bit of planning is never a bad thing because just thinking a bit in advance may save you a lot of pain when a problem occurs.Your check list will obviously depend on your destination. A driving trip through the Amazonian Rain Forest will obviously present more potential perils than a weekend getaway to Paris, but in a way the principle’s the same.

If you are travelling independently without the protection of a tour operator

There is a lot of information on the Foreign Office travel advice web site, particularly for “sensitive” countries. A travel guide will also be a good investment to help you get that little bit more from your trip as well as being a better read than the platitudes in the literature from the local tourist office

If you’re travelling within the European Union

Get a free European Health Insurance Card for free or reduced emergency care. It replaces the old E111 form. It won’t replace your travel insurance though.

Make sure your travel insurance covers everything you are likely to want to do

Are you going to play in a chess tournament? run a marathon? or jump off Niagara Falls in a barrel?* Even swimming in the Med has its dangers, you don’t want to meet to many jellyfish.

Make photocopies of your passport and other important documents

Keep them in a separate place just in case you mislay the originals or get them stolen. Even better, you could keep electronic copies on an online secure data storage site.

Talking of passports

If you haven’t already got one, you’ll have to go for an interview so the Passport Office can check you actually are who you say you are. Allow six weeks to get one.

For many countries outside the EU

Your passport must be valid for six months after you travel so check its expiry date.

Make sure you fill in the emergency contact details

It will make it much easier to contact someone should the need arise.

Tell people where you’re going and if possible

Give them an emergency contact number.

Take enough money with you

It’s always best to keep a mix of cash and travellers’ cheques. For many countries it’s an idea to have some US dollars, even these days.

If you’re planning to take significant amounts out of your own bank account

when you’re on the other side of the world, tell your bank before you go. There’s been a number of cases recently of well-intentioned but perhaps over-zealous banks blocking bank accounts because perfectly legitimate transactions were thought of as fraudulent.

If you’re planning to drive abroad

Make sure your licence is valid for that country and find out about the driving laws for where you’re going. It’s not just about driving on the other side of the road.

Drugs

Don’t go there. Watch Midnight Express to remind you why.

* Thinking about it, your travel insurer and the local constabulary might take a dim view of you jumping off Niagara Falls in a barrel. Best not do it.

Related posts:

1. World First Travel Insurance Check List
2. Travelling with a medical condition? Be prepared for delays.
3. Things to do when travelling abroad when pregnant

Have a check list – the sensible guide to travelling | World First Travel Insurance Blog