Travel warning to families planning a half-term trip abroad this October
Foreign Office urges families to 'make sure' they have a vital measure in place ahead of any travel in coming weeks
by Kate Lally, Barbara Hodgson · ChronicleLiveWith the autumn chill in the air and prospect of colder winter weather to come, it's no surprise that many families will be hoping to make the most of the upcoming October half-term by jetting off on a trip abroad, finances permitting, so they can take advantage of sunnier climes.
But the lucky ones who manage to book an overseas break can find, in the midst of preparing and packing, that it's easy to forget some basics. So a message this week from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office comes as a timely reminder.
The FCDO is the UK's ministry of foreign affairs and, among other duties, it regularly keeps Brits informed of all things travel-related, as The Mirror reports. Ahead of the school holidays, it has issued a warning to all families planning to travel abroad, about the importance of insurance.
In a post on X it said: "Got some family fun planned for this half-term? Make sure it’s not a wild ride! Get travel insurance that covers all your planned activities."
It then advised parents and care-givers to visit Gov.uk website for full information. Further Foreign Office advice says: "Travel insurance is important. It provides protection and coverage for unexpected events that can happen on holiday.
"Travel insurance can cover a range of scenarios, such as medical emergencies and repatriation, lost or stolen baggage, trip cancellations or interruptions, and-or natural disasters." It adds: "You must purchase cover that is appropriate for your travel plans.
"Travelling without the right cover can be very expensive if things do go wrong while you are abroad. If you buy a basic policy that does not provide enough medical coverage, you may get a big bill if you have an unexpected health issue on holiday."
According to the Association of British Insurers, travel insurance claims are on the rise. Reported past incidents include a traveller to Thailand whose medical bills for a serious blood infection amounted to a whopping £250,000, which was paid by their travel insurance provider, and a holidaymaker who needed private medical treatment in Spain for a kidney infection which resulted in a £15,000 bill.
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