The first thing to decide before booking your holiday will be choosing your destination. For many, finding inspiration is the most difficult thing to do in the holiday process. With a huge variety of places to visit, and more places being advertised, every destination tends to look more appealing than the last.
First of all, decide what you want:
Are you more the type of person who wants a holiday to relax in the sun, or someone who wants every other day to hold a different adventure in store? Someone who prefers soaking up the local culture or spending your time out focusing on you, your health and wellness? Decide what you want from your holiday from the list below, which will hopefully allow you to focus more on a destination able to provide you with what you want:
Websites such as TripAdvisor have generators which allow you to narrow down destinations through types of holiday, month of travel, region alongside their user-rated experiences. If you’re feeling particularly spontaneous, whichplacetogo generates a random destination – a virtual way of spinning a globe and putting a pin down. ABTA offer a great way of showing where is great to go, when, incase you know when you want to go, but have no idea about where would be best to make memories at that time of year.
Where can I find a travel insurance provider who will cover me?
The thought of finding travel insurance when you have a medical condition can be a daunting one, but you’d be surprised at just how many options you have. In fact, providers like Insurancewith specialise in offering bespoke travel cover to those with medical conditions like diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
Finding your provider
The best place to start is by speaking to or visiting the website of a charity that supports people with your medical condition – it may be one that you’ve had contact with before. They should be able to offer advice, and may even have recommendations as to which provider is best.
A quick internet search might help too. There will likely be forums full of people who have been in similar situations – they could offer advice and suggestions.
What medical information do I need to provide?
You’ll need to give your insurance provider details of your condition, and the more information you can offer, the better. We advise that you tell them everything so they can decide what is and isn’t relevant – you won’t necessarily be charged more, it just means you’ll have the right level of cover should anything happen. Holding details back could cause the policy to be void when you need it most.
Why do I need a specialist policy?
Having a specialist travel insurance policy can make a world of difference if you have a medical condition, especially in an emergency situation. With the right knowledge and a wealth of experience, a good provider will be able to offer invaluable help in a foreign country, assisting with things like translation and the transferring of important medical records.
They can speak to your treating doctor in the UK and liaise with the doctors in the foreign hospital, ensuring you have the appropriate treatment when you need it most. Arranging such care without the help and support of a trusted insurer could be both difficult and costly.
What about insurance for other people in my party?
We would always recommend that your whole travelling party is included on the same policy, so if something does happen that causes you to cancel the whole trip, nobody is left battling with their provider for a pay-out. If everyone’s together, you should all be protected, even if the medical condition only affects one person.
When you’re looking for travel insurance, it’s important to remember that it’s not all about having millions of pounds worth of medical cover; your priority should be the level of support you receive from your provider. This is especially true if you have a medical condition, as this can make problems more complex.
Be sure to do your research and choose carefully – knowing you did will provide invaluable peace of mind on your upcoming trip.
Travelling with a medical condition can be really daunting, but we cover 1000 of people like this every year.
When I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, I found planning our first holiday abroad made me feel really anxious, the cancer and the treatment had really knocked my confidence, but after chatting to my Doctor I realised all I had to do was plan. So if you are planning to travel abroad and either you or a member of your family has a medical condition, your first port of call should always be your treating doctor.
Leave yourself lots of time and it’s really important to have a check list. Some of the things you will find really useful are to learn some key phrases in the language of the country you are travelling to:
Your condition
Your medication
How to ask for help in an emergency
And a letter from your Doctor could really get you out of trouble at the airport, it will explain your condition and why you are carrying certain prescription medication.
I really can’t emphasize enough the key to a stress free holiday is planning.
So if you want more information about travelling with a medical condition go to our web site Insurancewith.com.
Travelling can be a daunting experience when you have a medical condition – you’re venturing into the unexpected. The truth is, though, we provide specialist cover for thousands of holidaymakers every year.
Ensuring your trip goes without any hassle need not be difficult; you just need to plan ahead properly. Preparation is the key wherever you are going, but it’s particularly important if you’re visiting somewhere with a hot climate, as there are a few things you will need to address. These hot climate travel tips can help you prepare more effectively and stay safe while away.
Read moreIf you’re living with a medical condition, the prospect of flying can seem scary, as there are a number of issues that could occur. Don’t let that stop you from getting on that plane, though. We insure thousands of people every year who jet around the world with no problems at all – so long as you prepare and look after yourself, you too should have an enjoyable flight.
Here are some of the problems you may run into and what to do to avoid or cope with them.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a real risk when flying, especially if you’re on a long-haul flight, or have a long-term health condition such as diabetes. Not only can dehydration lead to serious health problems, it also worsens jet lag, so make sure you drink enough before and during your flight. You don’t want to feel awful on the first day of your holiday!
We recommend sticking to water, squash and juice, as they will hydrate you the most. Avoid drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, and be sure to keep an eye on the colour of your urine. If it’s dark, then you’re probably dehydrated.
Confined space
If you suffer with claustrophobia, flying can be a nerve-wracking experience. Planes are a common trigger of anxiety attacks, due to the lack of space and number of people on board. If you do experience a panic attack on the plane, here’s what you can do to help it pass:
Disabled access
Unless you’re travelling to a very small airport, you’ll likely have to do quite a bit a walking between the check in desk and departure gate. Therefore, if you have mobility issues, it’s a good idea to book at wheelchair before your visit. This is easy to do – just inform your travel agent or airline of your requirements at least 48 hours before your flight.
For more information about travelling with a medical condition, visit our Travel Tips & Advice page
