1. Check the latest travel advice for your destination at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office web site and subscribe to receive free e-mail notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated.
2. Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate
3. If you have a pre-existing medical condition research the local area you will be staying in for the most appropriate hospital/health care facility and put the telephone number into your mobile phone for emergencies.
4. Before travelling overseas register your travel and contact details online at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office web site. This makes it easy to contact you in an emergency.
5. What if something goes seriously wrong, make sure you take the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office telephone number with you. They can be reached on 0207 7008 1500 or from abroad +44207 7008 1500, the number operates 24hrs a day.
6. Obey the law. Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by UK standards.
7. Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry. l Insurancewith:.com: doing more than just insurance
8. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home.
9. Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines.
10. Check your passport is in good condition and valid and you have all necessary visas. Some countries will insist that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to UK. Some countries will refuse entry on arrival and some airlines will not allow passengers to board flights if their passport does not meet this requirement.
11. Before travelling, you should contact the Embassy or High Commission of each country you intend to visit to confirm the entry requirements.
12. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas.
To get a pre existing medical condition travel insurance quote, or for more information please click here or give our UK customer service centre a call on 0333 005 1066.
