Travel Tips

You may find the following useful to help ensure you are fully prepared for your journey.

Check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccinations, anti-malarial treatment etc. If you take any regular medication for an ongoing medical condition, ensure you have an ample supply for the entire duration of your trip and that essential medication is carried in your hand luggage.

If you are travelling within the EU make sure you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This will entitle you to free or low-cost treatment for medical problems. Details of how to apply for this can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

Have you had a dental check-up before your trip? Dental cover is for emergency relief of pain only.

Be aware of local issues – visit the Pre-Travel Advice section of the UMAL web site for information about the country and area that you are intending to visit.

Medical

Have you had all the necessary vaccinations? Where countries require vaccinations, take proof that you have been inoculated.

If you are taking personal medication with you, check that these drugs are ok to take into the country being visited and whether you need further paperwork?

Paperwork

Is your passport in date? Some countries require at least 6 months on your passport before it runs out.

If necessary, do you have a visa and is it the correct one for the country you’re visiting?

Is there any other paperwork you need to carry with you?

Are you included under your institution’s travel cover and, if not, have you arranged your own cover?

Practical

Ensure you have suitable clothing for the country you’re travelling to, including in your hand luggage.

Have you taken steps to prevent a DVT (especially for long haul flights), such as compression socks?

If you are planning on using debit or credit cards abroad, have you notified your bank? It is important to keep credit and debit cards separate.

Have you made yourself aware of important political and cultural information for your destination?

Ensure your next of kin, family and friends know your destination.

Ensure you have emergency numbers saved in your phone and held elsewhere.

Are you travelling alone? If so, a lone working risk assessment may be required.

Are you taking a mobile phone adaptor and, if so, is it the appropriate one for the country you’re travelling to?

Are you aware of what to do in a terrorist/natural disaster situation?

Ensure you know the location of your nearest embassy and hospital while abroad.

Do you know the location of your nearest embassy and hospital while abroad?

Travel Items (necessary)

Are you carrying a first aid kit with you?

Do you have spare glasses?

Do you have a power bank for your mobile phone?

Do you have water purifying tablets?

For flights to the US – do you have a TSA approved padlock for your suitcase?  https://www.tsa.gov/

Communication

Ensure you have all necessary contact phone numbers, including emergency numbers (police, medical etc) with you and at home.

Ensure people at home and your department have the contact details for where you are going.

When at a hotel

Have you made yourself aware of the nearest fire exit?

Have you placed your valuables in the room safe?

Do you have a door wedge with you in case the hotel door has no lock?

The most common problems encountered are minor accidents/illnesses and losses/thefts. You will find below some useful information that may help you in the event of you becoming the victim of a theft or if you require medical assistance.

For serious injuries remember that UMAL’s chosen emergency assistance provider IMG are there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They must be contacted in the event of injury/illness. Medical costs can rise quickly, particularly in the USA and Canada. IMG can take care of these for you, providing guarantees of payment to hospitals, doctors etc.

Never attempt to arrange your own repatriation. Quite apart from the expense and difficulty of booking travel arrangements in a foreign country, there may be medical implications of which you are not aware. Certain conditions can be complicated seriously, even fatally, by air travel. IMG can ensure that you are returned home safely and quickly if you need repatriation and at no expense to you.

For minor ailments remember that the local pharmacy will often be able to assist without the inconvenience of having to see a doctor. Of course, if the pharmacy cannot help or the problem persists, then you should consult the local doctor immediately or contact IMG for advice.

Tel: +44 (0) 203 859 1492

Email: UMAL@global-response.co.uk

Never leave your possessions unattended, even for a moment. Opportunist thieves thrive on such situations. It only takes a second to steal your property on the beach when you go into the water for a quick dip, or leave something on a table in a club or restaurant when you go to the bar. Ensure laptops and bags are protected as they have been particular targets for ‘snatch’ type thefts.

Never pack money or valuables (cameras, watches, jewellery etc) in your checked-in suitcase when travelling; it is much safer to carry these on your person or in hand luggage. Airlines do not accept any responsibility (and have no legal liability) for these items in your checked in luggage. Remember your luggage is in their control and out of your sight for the entire duration of your flight.

If your accommodation has a safe, deposit box or similar, always use it to protect your passport, travel documents, cash and valuables. A burglar is usually looking for money and small, valuable items. The average burglar will be unable or unwilling to take the time and effort needed to break into a safe.

If you’re unfortunate enough to suffer a loss or a theft always report it to the local police or other appropriate authority. Make sure you get a written report; you will need to produce this to support your claim. If the police will not issue a report, obtain the full postal address and telephone number of the police station, the name of the officer and the crime reference number allocated to the incident. In the event of the loss or theft of your passport, you must contact the local police and appropriate embassy/consulate. They will be able to assist you in obtaining the necessary documentation to enable you to return home.

If you are responsible for injury to a third party or damage on a third party’s property you must not admit any liability whatsoever without our prior written consent. If you do admit liability, we may not be able to provide any cover for the expenses incurred.

If you are asked for a payment by the third party, do not agree to the payment. This could constitute admission of liability and might mean that you end up paying much more. If you are under pressure to make a payment, contact us immediately.

If you are injured during the journey and it’s someone else’s fault, the legal expenses section of the cover may provide for the cost of pursuing a claim against the responsible party to a fixed amount of costs. Please note however that this cover does not apply in the USA or Canada.

We are all aware that sometimes events occur that have a widespread effect, often reaching beyond those that are directly involved in the incident: tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanic ash clouds, terrorist attacks, etc.

If you are directly involved in such an event or if your trip is indirectly affected by it, you should contact IMG immediately. See the emergency assistance section of the website.

https://umal.co.uk/travel-hub/emergency-assistance/

For any queries or further information regarding our Group Travel Scheme please contact: