The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has urged travellers to reassess their priorities when visiting family and friends abroad, they have found packing items such as teabags are considered before taking out travel insurance.
According to new research published today by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), over 12 million British nationals are planning to visit friends and family abroad this year, and the research shows:
Nearly half of young people did not take out travel insurance the last time they stayed with family and friends
39% of people visiting friends and relatives in Africa did not take out travel insurance on their last trip
When staying with friends and family in South Asia, less than half (48%) took out travel insurance
Being familiar with a destination, it may be where you spent your childhood, doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter the same problems as a tourist visiting the destination for the first time.
You should always make the same preparations visiting friends and family abroad as you would for a normal holiday. For example, don’t assume you are immune to diseases prevalent in the area you are visiting because you have spent a lot of time there, you must still get the correct inoculations or take preventative measures such as taking malaria tablets.
More importantly, the research by FCDO shows that young people are more likely to buy a present for their host than take out travel insurance. Travel insurance is not the exciting part of booking a trip abroad, but it is important, even losing your baggage could leave you out of pocket unless you are covered, and a medical emergency could bankrupt you and your host.
When purchasing travel insurance make sure you are purchasing the correct policy for your needs, if you have a medical condition you will need to buy travel insurance for existing medical conditions, and fully declare all your medical conditions and any prescription medication.
Anyone travelling within the European Union should also be aware that from 1st January 2021 rules around travel to Europe have changed, anyone travelling within the European Union should visit the Government website for up to date information on passports, EHIC, healthcare and more. We’ll update this page with more information as and when the Government release it.
Another consideration for travel insurance is if you are going to be taking part in particular activities or sports whilst on holiday, check if your travel insurance policy will cover you. Some of the very cheap policies will exclude cover for all but the most sedate activities.
Insurancewith is a pre-existing medical condition travel insurance provider, specialising in cancer travel insurance, breast cancer travel insurance and travel insurance for diabetics.
