Surviving Abroad
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How to Survive Abroad
| Holiday Insurance for Travellers | |
| What is it? | It is a special insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment in another country while you are away. Medical costs in another country can run into thousands of pounds, so get insured before you go. Holiday Insurance also insures your belongings against theft or loss. |
| How much does it cost? | Prices vary depending on where you are going and for how long. Travel agents can arrange holiday insurance, or you can do it privately. STA Travel (Student Travel) and Endsleigh Insurance have packages for young people (See Resources). You could also look out for the 'Travel Insurance' leaflet at the Post Office for details of their offers. |
| What does it cover? | This depends on the policy. Some will pay any doctors bills direct. Others may say that you have to pay 'on the spot' and then claim the money back when you get home. (Will you have the spare cash?) Some policies exclude 'dangerous activities', including scuba diving, motorcycling and even trekking. Make sure you policy covers ambulances or an emergency flight home. Some policies place a limit on how much you can claim for lost or damage goods. The amount you get may not cover what you lose! |
An example of a letter of application for an insurance quote is provided. Click here to open it as a word document.
It is a good idea to check your health before you travel. Visit dentists for a check-up, doctors for adequate supply of your regular medication and take a spare glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
An E111 form is needed if you intend to travel abroad.
| E111 | |
| What's an E111? | It's a form that entitles you to emergency healthcare free or at a reduced cost in some countries. |
| How do you get one? | From a Post Office. The application form and the form itself are at the back of the booklet 'Health Advice for Travellers'. Fill out both forms and hand them in at the counter. The E111 will be stamped and given back to you. |
| How much does it cost? | Nothing. |
| Where can you use it? | The countries and type of treatment you can get are listed in the booklet 'Health Advice for Travellers'. |
| Do you still need travel insurance if you have an E111? | Yes, it doesn't cover everything and it can only be used in certain countries. For example, you can use it in Italy but not in Switzerland. If you are driving through Switzerland to get to Italy, and are taken ill, you can't use it! |
| What do you need? | To complete the form you need to know your National Insurance Number or your NHS number. (If you are under 16. You can be included on your parents' form. |
First Aid Kit
Take some first aid kit with you - aspirin or paracetamol, plasters and bandages, antiseptic cream, calamine lotion or cream for bites/ stings, scissors and tweezers, water sterilisation tablets and something to treat severe diarrhoea!
Immunisations
| Passports | |
| Which jab? | 'Health Advice for Travellers', a leaflet available from all post offices, gives you a country-by-country disease and immunisation list. |
| Where to have it done? | You can arrange to have vaccinations at your local health centre. |
| When to have it done? | Make sure you have your vaccinations in plenty of time. Some take time to be effective. Immunisation against Hepatitis B for example can take six months to give full protection. |
Change your money into foreign currency and travellers cheques at a bank or branches of Thomas Cook. Both make a charge for the service. Thomas Cook give a 'CurrencyWise Guide' free to all customers.
Take enough cash with you for taxis, snacks, etc. when you arrive and to last you until you can cash a cheque. You can get cheques in your destination currency and those will normally be your best choice. Keep the receipt showing cheques numbers in a safe, separate place.
Abroad, you can cash travellers cheques in a bank and in some hotels. You will need to show your passport for identification. Always find out the opening times of the local bank!
How much do you get for your money? Check out this on-line currency converter http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic
| Match the country to the currency | |
| France | Drachma |
| Austria | Markka |
| Denmark | Deutsche Mark |
| Mexico | Baht |
| Finland | Escudo |
| Thailand | Krone |
| Germany | Punt |
| Netherlands | Schilling |
| Italy | Yen |
| Japan | Peseta |
| USA | Lira |
| Portugal | Dinar |
| Spain | Peso |
| Greece | Dollar |
| Ireland | Franc |
| Tunisia | Guilder |
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