|
We use a specialist broker called Campbell Irvine* for all of our travel insurance. If you would like to do the same you can Apply for Travel Insurance Online direct with Campbell Irvine.
There are lots of good travel insurers and brokers out there. This article will hopefully give you some ideas of what to look out for. If you've got any questions you can always give us a ring and ask.
Medical and health insurance is vital in remote areas:
Some countries may provide some health care for you when you are overseas but even then it won't cover things like the cost of relatives flying out, accommodation for relatives, bringing you back to the UK etc.
In most cases you may receive no medical treatment at all unless you have good travel insurance in place. Without it you might find yourself with thousands of pounds of medical costs or worse still not be able to get the treatment you need at all.
What should I look out for:
- How much? As a guide at least £1m medical cover for Europe and £2m for the rest of the world.
- Make sure you are covered for what you are doing and where you are going. Some areas or some activities may be specifically excluded from the policy - and remember that what may seem a safe destination or an everyday activity to you - may not seem so to the insurance company - particularly if they don't understand the nature of your fieldwork or where you are working.
- How things will work in reality? Even if the insurance company is able to cover costs you are likely to need cash at the time to get vehicles, helicopters and even the hospital treatment itself. You may be able to claim this back later with receipts but in the first instance local providers may want to see cold, hard cash.
- What can they do? Many insurance companies will have, or subcontract to, an emergency assistance company. Find out what they can do and what they can't. All sorts of options are available but it depends on the company and your level of cover. So don't just assume that if you phone that number that they'll be able to arrange everything for you - insurance and special assistance companies are normally good at the higher levels, major city hospitals, international flights etc - they can rarely access local services which you may need in the first instance. So phone them in advance and check what they can do - good companies should be able to tell you what they can, and importantly what they can't do.
- Declare any medical conditions you think might affect the cover. You may not be covered by your policy if you don't.
- Also think about... personal liability cover in case you're sued for causing injury or damaging property, lost and stolen possessions cover, cancellation and curtailment cover…
If you'd like to learn more about expedition planning issues wuch as insurance, risk assessment and dealing with emergencies whilst overseas our expedition planning and leading course might suit you. This course is really popular as part of our fieldwork safety training for Universities.
Lots more good insurance info is available on the fco website.
You can find a list of further specialist insurance brokers.
You can find out more about what free or reduced-cost cover you can get by country at The Department of Health website.
*Fieldskills is an Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which may be checked on the FSA’s register
| 
