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