What if something goes badly wrong while you’re abroad? What if you’re the victim of a crime, or fall ill? What if someone close to you dies abroad, or suffers other serious misfortune? In this section we explain how we can help. Call Consular Assistance if you need assistance abroad: The Consular Assistance team in London can be reached on: 020 7008 1500 (+44 020 7008 1500 from abroad) This number operates 24 hours a day ‘Exceptional Assistance Measures for Victims of Terrorist Incidents Overseas’ A ministerial statement (Word doc) on... 

Take out a policy with a 24-hour emergency service. Serious accidents or illness will all be managed by the assistance company. They will make any necessary arrangements and provide help and advice throughout the ordeal.  Read More →

Arranging medical and health insurance is your responsibility! If you don’t have it, you may have to pay thousands of pounds in medical costs if you fall ill or have an accident outside the UK. Always arrange travel insurance with health cover that is adequate for your destination. Do this before you go. The medical cover of your policy should be at least: £1m for Europe £2m for the rest of the world Always examine the policy’s conditions and exclusions and talk to your insurer if in any doubt.  Read More →

Many people deeply regret not taking out travel insurance. They think their credit card accident cover, home insurance, or private health cover is sufficient. The real cost when things go wrong An emergency abroad can be extremely expensive. If you need to be returned to the UK it could cost you thousands of pounds, unless you are adequately insured: £35-45,000 – air ambulance from USA’s East coast £12-16,000 – air ambulance from the Canary Islands £15-20,000 – scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort from Australia Figures supplied...