We hear our fair share of travel insurance horror stories. Yet sometimes the worst examples aren’t from happy-go-lucky holidaymakers who ignore the importance of travel insurance, but from those who thought they had adequate cover only to be caught out when they tried to claim. If you have a travel insurance deal bolted onto a banking package, there’s a chance you could be next.

Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen…

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Here’s a holiday tip: when you take out travel insurance you really should tell your insurer about any ongoing medical conditions you have. If you don’t you could invalidate your policy. No one needs that.

Trouble is, many insurers seem to favour medical screening that is complex, cumbersome and intrusive. Even worse, you could end up paying through the nose for cover you simply don’t need. No thanks. Our new medical screening makes it faster, easier and cheaper to get travel cover that fits. And yes, your search begins in the kitchen cupboard – or wherever you keep your medication. (more…)

Most people don’t spend much time researching their travel insurance purchase. But by failing to do one simple thing, millions of holidaymakers are putting themselves at risk of losing thousands of pounds every time they take out a policy. Don’t be one of them. (more…)

Phew. That’s January out of the way. From here on in, the rest of 2013 should be a doddle. But as you breathe a sigh of relief at January’s departure, February’s arrival is a reminder to spare a thought for those who won’t be breathing so easily this year. February is National Heart Month. Liberate your favourite red clothes from the wardrobe and get involved in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the UK’s biggest killer. (more…)

Question: What’s the best way to travel to your holiday destination?

Answer: Ask Rome2rio.

Rome2rio.com is a new website designed to show you the best way to travel anywhere in the world. Input your start and end point and, quick as a flash, Rome2rio will fetch a bundle of different travel options, whether you want to fly, sail, drive or catch a train – or a combination of the whole lot.

Your available travel options are neatly arranged by travel time and ticket cost, linking you to online ticket vendors when possible. Ecologically minded? Rome2rio gives you a breakdown of your share of the CO2 that will be emitted for your planned itinerary, so you can explore the world without it costing the earth. (more…)

New policies offer even more travel cover to World First customers.

Travel insurance with World First just got even better. We’ve updated our policies and can now offer faster, smarter and more affordable cover to more people than ever before. We’re excited about these changes. Here’s a breakdown of what you get out of it.  (more…)

Senior travellers swap travel agents for web browsers to plan their getaways.

Ten years ago, some would have it that most seniors’ understanding of the digital revolution bordered on the luddite. Fast forward a decade and the internet is as much a part of seniors’ lives as it is those of teenagers. And new figures are released every day to back it up.

Findings from a new study into travel planning have revealed that an overwhelming majority of over 55s (87% to be precise) are choosing to go online via a laptop or desktop computer to conduct their holiday research. By comparison, just one in five are taking the traditional route of visiting the travel agents. (more…)

After a certain age, every man learns that prevention is preferable to cure.

You start to pay attention to warranties. You get your car serviced regularly to avoid shelling out on expensive repairs. You leave yourself little reminders to record EastEnders so you don’t have to grovel to your partner when they find out you’ve forgotten.

Gentlemen, the same law applies to your health. And your choice of travel insurance has a part to play too. (more…)

“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”

It’s a famous proverb with many meanings attached to it – mostly concerned with people’s refusal to accept problems.

However, the ancient proverb is now being used to help spearhead a campaign arranged by the World Hepatitis Alliance to raise awareness of World Hepatitis Day, which takes place on Saturday 28th July.

On that day, the World Hepatitis Alliance is hoping to set the Guinness World Record for having the most people performing the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” actions in 24 hours at multiple venues around the world. (The link is the fear that hepatitis is being ignored around the world.)

Barmy? Quirky? Fun? It’s up to you to decide. But one thing’s for sure: there’s a crucial need to raise awareness of hepatitis. Shockingly, one in 12 people worldwide is living with either chronic hepatitis B or C – that’s far higher than the prevalence of HIV or any cancer. Yet – in the words of the World Hepatitis Alliance – awareness is ‘inexplicably low’.

• Find out more about World Hepatitis Day

• Find out how viral hepatitis is contracted and what the symptoms are

Hepatitis and travel insurance

Living with hepatitis is no reason to miss out on a happy holiday. But it does give you some extra things to consider when you’re choosing travel insurance. For starters, you’ll need to find an insurer that is happy to cover your condition. Sadly, that can be tricky sometimes. And if you do find cover, the premium is often prohibitively expensive.

It doesn’t have to be that way. (more…)

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?

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