Under The Sun Travel Insurance

Ensure passports, visa and travel documents are in order. Have you had the required vaccinations/inoculations.
If you are travelling to Europe, you should pick up an E111 from your Post Office. If used, it will mean any excess on your insurance will be waived and entitle you to benefit from the reciprocal health agreement between EEC Countries.

Cancel all deliveries of newspapers and milk etc. Arrange for a neighbour to keep an eye on your house while you are away. Try to avoid taking expensive jewellery and other valuables away with you. Allow sufficient time to reach the airport or departure point. Make additional allowances for the unexpected.

Remember to ensure that your home contents and house policies are up to date. If you are leaving during the winter months, it is recommended that you leave your heating on low 24 hours a day to ensure that your water system is not damaged.
Ask a friend to perhaps call in occasionally so that if an emergency occurs, it can be detected and the damage can be kept to a minimum.

Don't risk over exposure to the sun, especially for children and babies who should have sun hats. Ensure that you have plenty of sun-block cream with the appropriate factor. The sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm. Be careful with unfamiliar food and drink. Check that local water is safe to drink. If in doubt, always buy bottled water. Observe warning signs and local laws, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. Don't leave your luggage or valuables unattended at any time, especially at airports and hotels. Don't carry more money around with you, particularly cash, than you have to.
Avoid keeping your passports, cheque books and credit cards together unless in a hotel safe. Think before you dive. Check the depth of the swimming pools and sea, and only dive if you are sure the water is deep enough.

Keep your travel insurance documents to hand with the emergency numbers. Always retain all receipts for medical expenses. Report losses/theft to the Police immediately and obtain a copy of the report. Losses not discovered until return MUST be reported to the Airline within 7 days. If your flight is delayed, you must obtain written confirmation from the carrier giving the reason for the delay and duration. This will enable you to claim for delayed departure benefit.

If you are going to engage in any activities which may be hazardous, ensure that your travel insurance will cover you. Most activities are insurable and it is better to be safe than sorry, as it will be too late to sort out the problem if you have broken your leg whilst skiing in some remote part of the world without the correct insurance cover. Your dream vacation will turn into a nightmare. Hundreds of uninsured people finally return home after being held in a foreign country until the medical bills are paid, often running into thousands of pounds.