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The Impact of FCO Travel Advice on Your Insurance

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Travelling these days can almost be described as a science. Where many used to romanticise about throwing caution to the wind and fearlessly embarking on an adventure to the unknown, now we must sprinkle those impulsive urges with a healthy dose of caution and common sense.
Thankfully you do not need to pack a crystal ball in your luggage to be ‘in the know’. The magic of modern technology will provide you with all the information you need. When travelling to some of the less-frequented, hidden gems of the world such as the Middle East, travel insurance is a must, and it is best to read all the fine print.

Play by the Rules

The world is still, most definitely, a beautiful oyster, filled with amazing experiences and curiosities. Many travellers feel drawn to less standard destinations in pursuit of a genuinely authentic experience. Since many of these places are not deemed ‘typical tourist/holiday destinations’ their landscapes, cultures and way of life have been all but untouched by the modern western world.

However, when visiting these countries it is even more important to research their laws, rules and customs prior to travelling to ensure your own safety and to be respectful towards your hosts. For example, when visiting the Middle East, travel insurance is an absolute must but so is recognising and respecting local traditions in regards to clothing, manners and behaviour.

Due Diligence

Once you have researched your proposed destination it is time to read all the fine print in regards to your travel insurance. It is best to frequently refer to the FCO’s (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) website for the most up-to-date reports on any world destinations’ physical and political status. Fortunately, these updates are easily accessed by computers and phones these days, so staying alert and vigilant before and during your visit can become second-nature.

Also, know that the travel insurance industry, with your best interest in mind, is also monitoring and following all of the FCO’s recommended travel guidelines. Thus, if the FCO says ‘don’t go’, you simply won’t be able to purchase decent and comprehensive travel insurance for that destination.

Hot Spots

If your destination is in the Middle East, travel insurance may very well be more expensive and may exclude certain geographical areas from your plan. For example, currently the FCO has advised ‘against all travel’ to Yemen. Despite Yemen’s paradise-like beaches and landscape, the country’s escalating civil conflicts and terrorist attacks have flagged them as an official ‘no-go’ zone. The FCO even goes so far as to advise all foreigners to leave as soon as possible. Consequently, no matter how determined you are to spend your Christmas on one of Yemen’s idyllic beaches, you will not be able to purchase travel insurance, and may struggle to find travel options to the country in the first place.

Other advisories from the FCO are more precise and detailed. If you are travelling to Jordan in the Middle East, travel insurance will probably be obtainable but may have geographical restrictions for coverage within the country. The FCO advises extreme caution while visiting Jordan in general, but elevates their warnings for the areas that are within 3km of the entire Syrian border. The potential for stray mortars, small gun fire and terrorist attacks have increased in the past few months and poses a significant risk to both residents and visitors.

Stay Vigilant

The FCO is an excellent source of up-to-date information on both the political and geographical status of any destination. Most travellers prefer not to put themselves at risk while travelling, especially when travelling for pleasure. The FCO monitors the pulse of the world’s conflicts so that travellers can make wise decisions regarding their safety. Sadly, until there is less political unrest and violence in the Middle East, travel insurance will remain high or possibly unobtainable. The beauty of these countries will have to wait to be discovered.

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Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning team of specialists in global single trip, family and annual travel insurance for those planning to travel for business or leisure. If you’re looking for the best deal on Middle East travel insurance or policies for Europe, Asia, USA, Australia and anywhere else in the world, InsureMore can help. Besides offering great deals on travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holidays.

Tech on the Open Road – Essentials for Your Next Road Trip

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Taking a wrong turn and ending up somewhere odd and unfamiliar is a feature of all good road trips. It’s not quite the same, after all, if you get from A to B without a bit on unscheduled excitement. However, some aspects of the road trip – such as cold hands and warm drinks – are things that, in 2018, you can certainly do without!
Luckily for you, technology companies around the world have come up with nifty gadgets ranging from essential companions to luxury indulgences, all designed to make the road trip more enjoyable without sacrificing its adventurous core.

Essentials

Reliable phone reception and plenty of battery are things you just can’t do without these days. It is fun getting lost on a road trip but less fun when you cannot contact anyone for directions. These two gadgets will help you to stay on track and keep your friends in the loop as you go.

• Mobile Router – Although sometimes leaving the internet behind can seem like an attractive proposition, it is less handy when looking for the best bars and attractions in wherever you end up. The Netgear Around Town router allows you to set up a hotspot for up to ten people, so everyone in the car can share the adventure with friends back home. • Power Pack – Whether it’s in the middle of a canyon or on the dancefloor, nothing is more frustrating than your phone battery dying on you. Bring plenty of good quality power packs with you so that your party can keep connected on the long drive.

Useful Additions

As well as essential gadgets, it’s also handy to bring along a few bits of tech that make the overall journey more pleasant and enjoyable without breaking the bank.

• USB Heated Gloves – The saying might go ‘cold hands, warm heart’, but try telling that to your mate after a winter walk and they won’t be happy. These clever gloves help to keep hands warm whatever the weather, plugging easily into any USB jack. • Light Diffuser – Small travel lamps are cheap and very useful. If the drive is a very long one, it’s unreasonable to think you will be talking and larking about all the way. With a few light diffusers, passengers can read or fiddle with maps when it gets dark without distracting the driver.

Luxury Items

Now you have all the boring stuff sorted out, why not indulge in a few travel gadgets to make the trip extra-comfy?

• Coolest Cooler with Speaker – The coolest gadget in any car boot has to be this speaker and drinks cooler. As if it wasn’t already useful enough, it also comes with a blender and a cutting board. Amazing right! • Travel Guitar – No road trip is complete without a good singalong. Make a fire, get out the marshmallows and bring a small Martin Steel String Backpacker guitar. With its small robust shape, this guitar doesn’t take up much room. Bring it along and you can be blasting out ‘Wonderwall’ in no time.

Of course, a very important component of any road trip is quality gadget travel insurance. With all the unexpected surprises and outdoor activities you’ll have planned, there are lots of potential risks for your phone and other gadgets while you are away. Focus on the road and the freedom of the trip by investing in some gadget travel insurance before you set off – you won’t regret it.

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Ethan Bailey is an experienced adventure traveller and insurance expert with the team at Let’s Go Insure. Ethan’s passion is to inspire his clients to go just that little bit further, deeper and higher on their travels and his expertise in providing the ideal insurance cover allows them to do just that. If you’re looking for the best gadget travel insurance Let’s Go works with the most experienced underwriters, intermediaries and insurers to offer a range of competitive insurance without compromising on cover.