Macclesfield Insurance Travel Services.

Our Travel Advice:

For your own protection try to make sure the company you book your trip through belongs to a trade organisation such as ABTA or IATA.

Get adequate travel insurance

• Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover
• Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year)
• Make sure it covers you for all activities, including hazardous sports
• Disclose pre-existing medical conditions
• Take your policy number and 24 hour medical emergency number with you
• If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer

Take enough money for your trip

• Where possible use travellers cheques rather than cash and note the numbers separately
• Check your credit card is valid and check the expiry date
• Make sure you have a source of back-up cash
• Have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one

Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas

• Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date
• Take a photocopy with you and leave a copy at home
• Write the full details of your next of kin in your passport
• Make sure you have valid visas
• Take another form of ID with you (preferable with a photograph)

Plan to stay healthy

• Check what vaccinations you need with your GP in good time before you travel
• Check your medication is legal in the country you are visiting
• Pack your medication in your hand luggage
• If taking medication with you, also take the prescription and a GP's letter
• If travelling within the EEA (European Economic Area) get an E11 from the Post Office
• Check to see if extra health precautions are needed for the country you are visiting (e.g. malaria zones)

Know about where you are going

• Make sure you know about local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs
• Make sure you know about local culture especially relating to dress codes
• Check relevant guides and the FCO country fact sheets
• Take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies

Plan to avoid trouble

• Check the FCO up-to-date advice and travellers' tips
• Tell friends and family where you are going

Leave copies of important information with family and friends

• A copy of your passport and details of your next of kin
• A copy of your insurance document plus the 24 hour medical emergency number
• A copy of your ticket details
• A copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail

Links:

Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice online at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or contact the FCO on 0870 606 0290