Latest news with #travelinsurance
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Travel expert issues warning over simple passport mistakes that will stop you from flying
Holidaymakers jetting off this summer should be aware of some simple issues with their passports that could prevent them from flying. When going on a trip, tourists often have to juggle many different things including travel insurance, transfers and their luggage. But one important factor to consider is your passport – and issues with it could cause problems when arriving at your destination or returning to the UK. Chris Harrington, managing director at transfer company Hoppa, shared his advice for those going away this summer. The travel expert emphasised the importance of making sure your passport isn't too damaged. He explained: 'If your passport is damaged to the extent that it impacts its ability to function or verify who you are, this can lead to it being declared invalid.' Chris advises checking the condition of your passport after booking a trip to avoid problems. He added: 'Once you have booked your holiday, ensure your passport is in good condition and it doesn't have any water damage, tears, rips, stains or any pages are missing. One important factor to consider is your passport and problems with it that could cause problems when arriving at your destination or returning to the UK 'In most cases, minor wear and tear is acceptable, but for anything more severe, you will need to apply for a new passport.' Though life can become busy, it is important to ensure documents such as passports are up to date – including reflecting any changes to personal information – in order to ensure they are still accurate and valid. Chris said: 'Your passport needs to have all of your correct details on. Including name and date of birth, which means if this isn't the case, it could be invalid. 'When making your travel booking, it's important that the details you enter reflect those that are on your passport. 'For example, if you get married and you make the booking with your new surname, the passport needs to also have the same details. 'If you need to apply for a new passport due to getting married, this can be done before or after the ceremony.' Another point to look out for is the expiry date on your passport. Even if it hasn't expired, it's important to note that some countries require the passport to be valid for three months from the departure date. Chris explained: 'One of the common mistakes people make is not being aware of when a passport has expired. 'When you are going abroad, you need to make sure that your passport was issued within the last 10 years of the date you enter the country. 'It's important to remember that this is counted from the date of issue and not the expiry date. 'Alongside the 10-year rule, Brits travelling to the EU and Schengen countries also need to be aware that their passport needs to be valid for at least three months beyond their departure date. 'It's also worth noting that for some destinations, there needs to be 6 months remaining on the passport, so it's important to check the regulations for the country you're travelling to.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'For frequent travelers, the costs add up'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. 'I'm taking a stand against jacked-up airline fees by taking the middle seat' Blake Fontenay at USA Today Ordering a "plane ticket now is like buying a car — after you've made your purchasing decision and are ready to get on with the rest of your life, you're bombarded with decisions about add-on fees," says Blake Fontenay. Choices "must be made about how many bags you want to check, whether you want 'priority seating' and whether to add" insurance. Shouldn't "everybody get refunds if flights are cancelled, regardless of whether they've made an impulse buy for travel insurance?" Read more 'Remember the real victims of Jeffrey Epstein' Renée Graham at The Boston Globe President Donald Trump is "not a victim of a vast left-wing conspiracy. He's not a victim at all," says Renée Graham. Those "who most deserve empathy and answers are the girls — now women — victimized by Epstein and others. Trump is "getting what he deserves." The "focus shouldn't be on the president's latest attempt to use victimhood and lies as a shield from responsibility, but in inching closer to some small justice for the victims and survivors." Read more 'It's okay to go no-contact with your MAGA relatives' Sarah Jones at Intelligencer Young adults are "going no-contact with parents and other relatives, often because of politics," says Sarah Jones. The "usual narrative pits liberals against MAGA elders." Sometimes the "act of knowing a person leaves you with no choice but to move on without them." Though "shunning won't work as a political strategy, there are still natural consequences for the way we speak and behave." Politics "never stopped at the family front door. Why pretend otherwise?" Read more 'Ivy leaguers aren't auto workers' Dominic Pino at the National Review Why "do graduate students at private universities get to pretend they're auto workers or electrical workers?" says Dominic Pino. Thousands of "U.S. grad students at elite universities" are "now members of traditionally blue-collar unions." Graduate "students at public universities are sometimes allowed to unionize depending on state laws." Ivy Leaguers "can be transformed into auto workers and unions can coerce graduate students into paying them, as long as three out of five unelected lawyers agree." Read more Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
6 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
How to 'weatherproof' your next holiday
Beyond extreme weather or medical emergencies: some insurers now offer payouts for rain, heatwaves or "inconveniences" that spoil your trip. The 18 hikers who flew into Nepal in September 2024 were prepared for the trek of a lifetime: a journey to Everest Base Camp. But just a day before their flight to Lukla, heavy rain began falling across the Kathmandu Valley. "Within 24 hours, the capital recorded its heaviest rainfall since 1970," said Balaram Thapa, CEO of Nepal Hiking Team, who was leading the trek. "Roads were submerged, bridges damaged, and all Lukla flights were grounded for a full week. We were never in immediate danger, but the trip became impossible."Though some of the hikers had travel insurance that reimbursed them for expenses like cancelled flights or additional hotel nights in Kathmandu, none of their policies would have covered the full cost of a completely rained-out bucket list trip. That might soon change. As extreme weather events grow more frequent – from torrential rain in India to scorching heatwaves in Europe – a new type of travel insurance is emerging. These protections go beyond covering catastrophes, offering compensation for milder but still trip-ruining weather events like extreme rain or heat. "The thing that people really worry about in most cases is their trip being rained out," said Daniel Price, co-founder of WeatherPromise, a company that offers their global customers payouts if it rains more than a set number of hours during a booked stay. "The number one factor that causes someone to come back and say 'that wasn't a great trip' is if it pours and you didn't get to sit on the beach [like you'd planned.]" The company, which also recently partnered with Marriott's Home and Villas brand to offer rain protection, is now exploring coverage for extreme heat, spurred by recent heatwaves across Europe and the US. "What [we're] about is really giving people the confidence, the comfort and the ability to travel all over at different times of the year," said Price. It's all part of a wider shift in the travel insurance industry. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, travellers have increasingly opted to take out coverage. And while traditional policies remain geared towards covering big, unexpected disruptions like hospitalisation or cancelled flights, new products are catering to travellers who want more flexibility – and more peace of mind. These new offerings can range from flat-rate payments for "travel inconvenience," such as missing a scheduled port on a cruise ship through no fault of your own, to coverage that allows cancellations for any reason at all; an add on service which has become increasingly popular post-Covid-19. "For example, a traveller may be accustomed to certain conditions like having air conditioning in their hotel," explained Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations for travel insurance comparison site SquareMouth. "So, it may come as a surprise when they check into their hotel in Europe [and] the air conditioning is not working, or there is no air conditioning. [But] there are benefits that would allow them to interrupt their [trip] because they're just not comfortable where they're staying." More like this:• Will you be going on holiday to… Greenland next year?• Four countries that are actively welcoming travellers• Are you really helping when you join an 'expedition tour'? Still, not all expanded policies are equal. What is covered and what is required to file a claim varies by provider. Therefore, it's still important for travellers to check the fine print, including confirming things like what weather qualifies, how much rain counts and what documentation is needed to make a claim. Valdez also warned that as unexpected weather becomes the norm, some insurers may tighten their coverage definitions. "There are underwriters looking at the definition of 'extreme' weather or 'inclement' weather," she said. "I can't say for certain if this is going to benefit the consumer or if they're going to look at it as a higher risk and possibly define those things even stricter than what they do today." With unpredictable shifts in weather patterns only expected to continue, these new insurance products may offer at least some protection against the frustration of a ruined trip. "As a Himalayan trek leader with over 20 years of experience, I'm seeing this type of disruption happen more often," said Thapa. "[It seems that] travel insurance is still catching up to what 'disruption' really means." --
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
One in six Brits are ‘dishonest' when filling out their travel insurance forms, research reveals
ONE in six Brits confess to being less than truthful about their health when taking out travel insurance, a new study reveals. The research, based on a survey of 2,000 adults across the UK, found many are cutting corners to save cash – with 25 per cent believing it's fine to leave out minor health conditions to get a cheaper deal. Travel insurer Staysure, which commissioned the study, says this kind of dishonesty can have serious consequences, including claims being rejected or travellers being left with sky-high medical bills abroad. A spokesperson from the company said: 'This survey paints a worrying picture. 'When buying a travel insurance policy, you want to know you'll be in safe hands if the worst should happen so be as honest and detailed as possible about your current health. 'Many people don't realise that their NHS medical records are checked when they make a medical claim to verify their policy against their current health. 'Meaning any undeclared medical conditions, or recent GP and hospital visits that are not covered on their policy could invalidate their cover – leaving them high and dry to foot a medical bill alone.' Despite this, nearly one in four (23 per cent) felt it was fine to omit medical info if they only wanted basic cover for cancellations or lost luggage, while 18 per cent didn't think they needed to mention conditions managed with medication. Worryingly, 14 per cent knew someone who had a claim rejected for not disclosing a health problem, and 70 per cent believed insurers were likely to find out if someone had been dishonest. The survey also uncovered confusion over what should be declared – with 67 per cent unaware weight loss medication must be mentioned, and 75 per cent not realising HRT for menopause needs to be listed. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) didn't think it was necessary to disclose high blood pressure or recent surgery, and 17 per cent believed they could skip declaring a past heart attack or serious organ issue. One in six Brits are 'dishonest' when filling out their travel insurance forms, research reveals Although most people (71 per cent) feared having a claim declined and 69 per cent were worried about facing medical bills abroad, a surprising 27 per cent admitted they don't always buy travel insurance. Even among those who do, 22 per cent have travelled knowing they weren't fully covered. Still, 81 per cent agreed the cover is worth the cost, with 26 per cent having claimed in the past. The Staysure spokesperson added: 'Declaring all your medical conditions ensures you are financially protected if you need medical treatment abroad or repatriating home – last year the average cost of an air ambulance from Spain alone was £45,136. 'We urge people to tell their insurer if they've recently seen a medical professional as not all health changes will increase the price of their policy but may just save them thousands of pounds in unexpected medical costs.' 2
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
NZ travellers urged to prioritise insurance as dengue outbreaks surge across the Pacific
By Elenoa Turagaiviu , PMN Kiwi travellers are strongly advised to secure comprehensive health insurance prior to travel to pacific islands. , given the escalating incidence of dengue fever across the Pacific region. Photo: 123RF Travellers from New Zealand planning a getaway to tropical destinations are being urged to grab comprehensive travel insurance, as dengue fever cases continue to climb in certain Pacific countries. Fiji has been particularly hit hard, reporting the highest number of dengue cases and related deaths. Health officials are advising anyone venturing to areas where mosquitoes can spread diseases to take extra precautions. This includes using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and staying in places with screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Travellers are also reminded that medical services in these locations can be limited, so it is important to continue taking steps to avoid mosquito bites throughout the day. Should anyone feel unwell during their trip or within three weeks after returning home, they should seek medical attention right away and inform their doctor about their recent travels. As of 16 July, several Pacific island nations, including Fiji, Sāmoa, and Tonga, have reported a surge in confirmed dengue cases. Sāmoa's Ministry of Health has reported a total of 945 confirmed dengue fever cases this year alone. Newsline Samoa reports that the latest data indicates that 237 new cases have been recorded in one week. A concerning trend is that a large percentage of those affected are under 20 years old. The country has also confirmed two dengue-related deaths, with about 10 per cent of patients needing hospitalisation. Nine dengue fever deaths have been recorded in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Photo: Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga in May, with 50 cases reported since February. Most patients have recovered, but some required hospital care. Kiribati followed suit in late April, identifying a dengue outbreak with a total of 96 confirmed cases and 383 more suspected cases as early as June. The age range of affected individuals spans from infants to seniors, but children aged three to nine have been most affected. Tonga has also seen a rise in dengue cases, reporting five new cases as of 4 July, which brings its total to 889 since declaring an outbreak in February. Three dengue-related deaths have been noted, but no patients are currently hospitalised. Tonga's Ministry of Health is carrying out mosquito spraying in areas mostly affected. Photo: Tonga Ministry of Health Fiji's health officials reported a major outbreak earlier in the year, with 8708 confirmed cases and four deaths recorded from January to early May. The Western Division was hardest-hit, accounting for most of the cases. Despite these alarming statistics, Fiji's Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, has reassured travellers that Fiji remains a safe destination. Gavoka says key tourist spots haven't been directly affected and encouraged visitors to follow standard health precautions. "It is important to note that dengue fever is not uncommon in tropical regions and is a year-round risk in many such destinations," he says. "Fiji has successfully managed dengue outbreaks in the past through swift and coordinated public health responses. "The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention currently maintains a Level 1 travel notice for Fiji, advising travellers to follow routine precautions to prevent mosquito bites." Travel advisories from various countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, which are advising their citizens to take typical precautions to avoid mosquito bites while visiting Fiji and other affected areas. To reduce the risk of infection, Fiji's health officials recommend visitors use insect repellant, wear long-sleeved clothing to cover their skin, and choose accommodations that are equipped to keep mosquitoes out. -This article was first published by PMN .
