Regulated by the Financial Services Authority Annual Travel Insurance TRAVEL TIPS

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Ensure passports, visa and travel documents are in order.
Have you had the vaccinations/inoculations required?
Cancel all deliveries of newspapers and milk etc.
Arrange for a neighbour to keep an eye on your house while you are away.
Try to avoid taking expensive jewellery with you and other valuables.
Allow sufficient time to reach the airport or departure point. Make additional allowances for the unexpected.
Remember to ensure that your home contents and house policies are up to date.
If you are leaving during the winter months, it is recommended that you leave your heating on low 24 hours a day, and ensure that your loft pipes and tank are adequately insulated so as to prevent returning to a burst pipe and flooded home.
Ask a friend to perhaps call in occasionally so that if an emergency occurs, it can be detected and the damage can be kept to a minimum.

E111's allow you to get free, or reduced cost, emergency medical treatment in some European countries, provided they have signed a reciprocal agreement with the UK for health services. They are not a replacement for travel insurance for travellers to Europe. Few countries pay the full cost of medical treatment, and extra travel and accommodation expenses and repatriation costs are not covered by the reciprocal healthcare arrangements. Nevertheless, carrying an E111 form is a good idea – for example, some insurers may waive medical excess if you use it.

If you are travelling to Europe, you should pick up an E111 from your Post Office. If used, it will mean any medical claim excess on your insurance will be waived. As a citizen of the European Union, it entitles you to benefit from the reciprocal health agreement between EU Countries. You may also wish to take a look at the Government's web page - Health Advice for Travellers where this form is covered in more detail. You may obtain a free copy of form E111 by calling Freephone 0800 555 777. It can be validated at no cost at any Post Office with your passport.

If you have an E111, now is the time to change it, as a new form has been introduced to replace the old one. The main difference is that the new form is issued on an individual, as opposed to a family, basis. However you will only need to complete one application form in order to receive E111's for everyone in your family. During the course of 2005, the UK will be adopting the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This will be automatically issued to those who apply for the new E111 form and tick the box to receive the new card.

Don't risk over exposure to the sun, especially for children and babies who should have sun hats. Ensure that you have plenty of sun-block cream with the appropriate Factor. The sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm.
Be careful with unfamiliar food and drink.
Check that local water is safe to drink. If in doubt, always buy bottled water.
Observe warning signs and local laws, particularly in the Middle East and Asia.
Don't leave your luggage or valuables unattended at any time, especially at airports and hotels.
Don't carry more money around with you, particularly cash, than you have to.
Avoid keeping your passports, cheque books and credit cards together unless in a hotel safe.
Think before you dive. Check the depth of the swimming pools and sea, and only dive if you are sure the water is deep enough.

Keep your travel insurance documents to hand with the emergency numbers.
Always retain all receipts for medical expenses.
Report losses/theft to the Police immediately and obtain a copy of the report.
Losses not discovered until return MUST be reported to the Airline within 7 days.
If your flight is delayed, you must obtain written confirmation from the carrier giving the reason for the delay and duration. This will enable you to claim for delayed departure benefit.

If you are going to engage in any activities which may be hazardous, ensure that your travel insurance will cover you. Most activities are insurable and it is better to be safe than sorry, as it will be too late to sort out the problem if you have broken your neck whilst skiing or in some remote parts of the world without the correct insurance cover.
Your dream vacation will turn into a nightmare.
Hundreds of uninsured people finally return home after being held in a foreign country until the medical bills are paid, often running into thousands of pounds.

Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office web site for country-specific warnings and information. If you travel against advice from the FCO, you may find that your insurance cover is invalid.
There are many other aspects of advice for the foreign traveller on this comprehensive site.

If you are one who travels with your laptop computer, you may wish to consider a policy on this equipment. Travel insurance policies are likely to have limits for single items which are below the value of this type of equipment so a specialised policy is the answer. Currently we have a policy to offer you which is a 12 month policy which is not confined to cover whilst in trips. Click on this graphic to learn more :-

Car Hire

If you intend to get around and see the sights at your holiday destination, you will invariably find that hiring a car will save you and your party a great deal of money compared to organised excursions from your tour operator. We have teamed up with Auto Europe to bring you Car Hire deals in Europe, the USA and in many worldwide countries. Click Here to check out the Deals and Specials on offer.

Relax and Enjoy your Holiday by Being Prepared.

SIMPLY THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY INSURANCE