Travel Insurance

ironman1

Hello,

As we are going to Egypt in a few weeks we was wondering if anyone could advise us on travel insurance. Are there any extra policies that need to be taken out or anything?

This is the first time I've gone somewhere outside of Europe for a long time.

What with there being so many online insurance companies there is alot to choose form.

I hope this is in the right forum, if not please feel free to move it!

Cheers

lisyloo

We never did anything extra.

Have you been to your doctors?
There are jabs you should yet beforehand.
Our nurse also advised us to take certain vitamins and yoghurt drinks beforehand, so it might be worth booking a "travel appointment" before you go.
My GP needs about 4 weeks notice for jabs.

One years (just after 9/11) we left it too late (because we were unsure if we were travelling).
We had to pay over £100 for jabs privately.
It as better than getting nasty diseases but don't leave it too late if you want free/low cost jabs. A lot of GPS surgeries need notice to order the jabs.

ironman1

We haven't got or booked jabs? I've spoken to a few people I know who have been Egypt and they said they didn't have them. Maybe we should just to be on the safe side...

Im not good to be honest, I only ever go to the doctors if its for something like having stitches out or a broken bone! I haven't actually had a 'check up' for about 15 years.

lisyloo

Well its up to you.
Personally I would definitely get the jabs.
There is probably only a small chance of getting a disease like Cholera, Typhoid, Polio or Hepatitus (or whatever the advice is at the moment), but these are quite serious diseases which could make you very ill for quite some time.

You may find you are too late anyway to get them on the NHS.

ironman1

Yeah we are, it says they are not compulsory but if you get them on the NHS you need to give at least four weeks notice. I should have thought about this really. I know I've had a tetanus in the last couple of years but not the rest... We aren't planning on really leaving the resort. I'll have to see what can be done.

Thanks for your advice!

lisyloo

Your only option would be to pay privately.
Some jabs are cheap, others are more expensive, but I would think it would be 3 figures each to get all of them.

Quite annoying the way the NHS works.
They want 4 weeks notice, but when we were paying, we could practically be fitted in the same/next day.

ironman1

Yeah, well I'll probably get them done. The GF is all up to date with them anyway.

Anyone know of the best value travel insurance going at the moment? there are so many with cashback this and discount that.

Obviously we don't want to cut corners though. It's not worth it just to save a couple of quid

SandC

I went to Egypt in November and didn't get any jabs. For insurance purposes, Egypt is classed as Europe so don't go getting worldwide insurance when it's not necessary.

I used insureandgo but have never (touch wood) had to make a claim - but their website clearly indicates what sports/activities you are or are not covered for. You never know how good insurance is until you have to make a claim.

And remember as Martin himself says on here - don't go getting some sort of gold or premium insurance thinking it will be 'better' as they basically just give bigger payouts and most policies already have very adequate medical cover. So you might think choosing a gold policy is 'the best' but but you don't need to be insured for £5k cancellation if the holiday only cost you £700.

ironman1

Oh right. So we dont need a different travel insurance to what we usually get?

The holiday cost us around £990 by the way.

SandC

Click on the Travel Insurance link which you should see above - it's very useful.

ironman1

Thanks, good little article.

Does anyone know the best travel insurance to get that doesn't have a policy where they don't pay out if you don't have the recommended but not compulsory vaccinations please?