| If you're traveling in Europe, make sure you | | | | EU country, under the same terms as citizens |
| have the right insurance and health cover, | | | | of that country. In practice, this means |
| and have access to money. | | | | either free or at reduced cost. In the UK, |
| | | | this is called the EHIC (European Health |
| Travel Insurance | | | | Insurance Card), but each EC country uses its |
| | | | own name. Further information can be found at |
| It is advisable to purchase vacation travel | | | | |
| insurance before you leave, because you are | | | | |
| particularly vulnerable when you travel | | | | However, you should remember that the card is |
| internationally. First check that your credit | | | | not a substitute for proper travel health |
| or charge card provides cover automatically - | | | | insurance - you may want cover that includes |
| usually when you purchase a return air ticket | | | | repatriation to your home or a hospital in |
| with the card - or if your home contents | | | | your own country, so you should talk to your |
| insurance takes care of some of your | | | | travel or health insurer. |
| possessions under 'all-risks' or similar | | | | |
| cover. But be aware that 'free' insurance is | | | | Credit Cards and Cash |
| unlikely to give you all the cover you'll | | | | |
| need, so read the small print carefully or | | | | Take a mixture of cash, credit cards and |
| seek advice. | | | | other plastic. You can easily withdraw money |
| | | | from cash machines in most of the |
| Have a clear idea of what and who you need | | | | frequently-visited locations. But be sure to |
| covered, and consider what you're planning to | | | | use safe boxes, where provided, to keep your |
| do on your vacation - any extreme sports, for | | | | money and expensive items safe. |
| example. Look at the policy exclusions and | | | | |
| make sure you declare any medical conditions | | | | Most Visa and Mastercard schemes offer |
| you have. People suffering from asthma, for | | | | consumer protection under their own country's |
| example, may be unable to claim if they do | | | | own consumer credit laws, no matter where in |
| not declare the problem beforehand. | | | | the world the purchase has been made. You |
| | | | normally need to spend between £100 and |
| Consider annual travel cover if you go away | | | | £30,000 (or equivalent in the currency of |
| two or three times a year; otherwise just get | | | | your card's country of origin) for each |
| cover for the duration of your trip. | | | | purchase. You should check with your card |
| Insurance bought through a travel agent is | | | | issuer about consumer protection before you |
| usually very expensive. It's best avoided, | | | | travel, however. |
| particularly if you have time to buy cover on | | | | |
| the internet (we recommend you look at the | | | | Tell your credit-card issuer if you are going |
| Essential Travel Insurance website) or from a | | | | abroad. Otherwise, the firms' anti-fraud |
| broker or bank. | | | | teams may spot transactions that seem out of |
| | | | your usual pattern (buying a gourmet meal in |
| Take your policy documents with you so you | | | | Paris, perhaps, or a painting in Spain) and |
| know exactly what to do if you need to make a | | | | you may not be able to use your card. Be |
| claim. Some people lose out because, for | | | | careful when using cards abroad, as |
| instance, they do not report details of a | | | | unfamiliar procedures may leave you open to |
| theft to the local police within a day of the | | | | fraud. |
| crime. | | | | |
| | | | Don't get too concerned with things that can |
| Health cover | | | | go wrong and ruin your trip, though. With a |
| | | | little careful preparation before you leave |
| If you're traveling within the EU (European | | | | and keeping your wits about you when dealing |
| Union) and you're an EU citizen, make sure | | | | with credit card transactions, you'll have a |
| you have the documentation that entitles you | | | | great vacation wherever you go in Europe. |
| to medical treatment when visiting any other | | | | |