Be financially secure when you travel

If you are travelling on business, you may already be covered by your employment insurance. However, it is certainly a good idea to check how comprehensive such insurance is, and - indeed - if it even applies in your case.

Your own household insurance policy may apply in cases of lost baggage or other items overseas (always check!). Similarly, you can occasionally receive some (small) protection if you purchased your holiday with a credit card. However, our feeling is that the health coverage alone (see the next few paragraphs) makes travel insurance a necessary purchase.

You may have heard that health care is "free" in certain countries, making the purchase of travel insurance a waste of money, if you're not travelling with luggage of any value.  It is true that some countries (under 60) do have reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the UK, mainly related to emergency health treatments. This is essentially a "You treat our guys for little or nothing, and we'll treat yours" approach to international healthcare.

If  you are travelling within the European Union, then form E111 - easily obtained from the Post Office in the UK - will enable you to receive such treatment within the EU. Australia and New Zealand are also countries where UK citizens receive free emergency treatment. However, despite the apparent comfort of "free" emergency care in these countries, we should point out that you could easily still end up with a hefty bill if you fall ill or have an emergency. In Australia, for example, treatment in casualty is free - but you will nevertheless be charged for the ambulance ride to get there. Doctors fees are also not fully reimbursed. Also, remember the costs of returning you to the UK (repatriation costs - you could possibly require a private aircraft) are never included in local arrangements - so the cash will come either from your bank account, or the insurers.

The advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is that adequate travel insurance is necessary even if you are travelling in a country where UK citizens receive reduced cost healthcare.

Be also aware that the USA has NO special health care arrangements for UK citizens. Indeed, getting ill without travel insurance is one of the fastest ways to get bankrupt in many countries. Don't risk it, not for a weekend, not even for a day - cautionary tales abound everywhere - the traveller staying in the US 1 day past the expiry of their insurance - involved in a car accident - and becoming financially ruined for life.