Being abroad when turmoil has broken out can be a frightening and lonely place. But, being prepared can help if the worst happens – as can having a quality travel insurance policy.
The news has been dominated by the revolutionary changes taking place across the Middle East, including Egypt, a popular holiday destination. Meanwhile, in recent years, Thailand has seen civil unrest, with clashes between the authorities and anti-government protesters.
If you are caught up in a potentially dangerous situation abroad, the first port of call should be your tour operator or airline. The British Government may also charter planes.
But, everyone should make investigations before they book their trip – and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website is a good place to start. Visit www.fco.gov.uk, for information on specific countries. For example, if you were planning a beach holiday to Tunisia, guidance suggests that while it is possible to have a trouble-free visit, risks remain. Some tour operators cancelled departures, or suggested holidaymakers switched to another destination.
In Egypt, violent demonstrations took place recently in cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, and the pyramids were out of bounds to tourists because of proximity to protests. In contrast, the Red Sea resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh were relatively unaffected.
Once you’ve booked the holiday, make sure you have the relevant phone numbers to take with you. As for cover, many people choose to buy travel insurance online. Make sure you understand what you are buying – policies vary and when you get your travel insurance quote, the cheapest is not necessarily the best.
Check out what is and isn’t covered. The main reason for cover is to pay for medical expenses – if you become ill abroad or are injured, treatment may be expensive and you may need UK repatriation. This is important whether it is an annual travel insurance policy or single trip travel insurance. Likewise, a good policy should also cover for lost baggage and cancellation – for example if you are unable to travel because of illness.
There are always likely to be exclusions. If you choose to travel somewhere the Foreign Office advises against, insurance is unlikely to be valid for cancellation cover.
