When planning any luxurious trip, one of the first things that should be on your to-do list is to select, or ensure you already have, the correct type of travel insurance. Though not on top of everyone’s priorities, it is indeed a vital ingredient for any travel experience, promising peace of mind no matter what happens whilst you are far away from home.
Though we board planes with excitement and optimism for any holiday, accidents do happen whether you are at home or away. Should you be involved in an incident, or even if you simply need to see a doctor, dentist or visit the hospital whilst in a foreign country, it is paramount that you have the right cover in place.
When investing in your insurance policy, it’s essential to portray the truth and declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying. If this part of an application has mistakes or discrepancies with your official medical record, your insurance policy could be invalidated just in the moment you need it the most.
And what if you do have a pre-existing condition, or a serious illness? Some avid travellers are stopped in their tracks when it comes to exploring the globe after the discovery of an illness – but this needn’t be the case.
There are insurance providers who might be unwilling to cover you because of an illness, and this is usually due to the higher probability you will make a claim. For example, if you need to cancel your holiday at short notice due to ill health, or if you require a serious treatment whilst away.
However, many companies now pride themselves on their ability to offer travel insurance which can cover a range of serious illnesses, ensuring you can enjoy your time away in comfort, safe in the knowledge that, should you need medical assistance, your insurance company will be able to cover any unexpected costs.
If you are planning on taking a holiday, and you do have a serious or long-term illness, here are a few ways you can prepare for and enjoy your trip.
Research local hospitals
When booking a beautiful villa, or perhaps a luxury hotel, you may wish to consider the health services in the local area such as doctors surgeries and hospitals. With modern developments in all areas of the luxury travel industry, more and more resorts have adequate services on site.
If your accommodation has already been booked, make sure you research the distance between your home-base and the closest hospital, and save this information for later. In the moments of an emergency, this can easily be shown to any local or other tourist if you need to visit the hospital urgently.
Of course, if you are planning to take a multi-centre holiday, it would be wise to do this for each destination on your itinerary. It goes without saying that when travelling with a serious or chronic illness, taking a record of your medical history and a list of prescriptions is crucial in case you need to be treated.
Travel with someone where possible
Another way to ensure your safety whilst away, is to plan a trip travelling with your partner or friend. Of course, there is someone on hand to help at all time, but it may also put your family and friends’ minds at ease too. Perhaps you are taking your first trip in a while following finding out about a long-term illness, so it is very possible one might feel anxious about travelling alone.
In these circumstances, travelling with a companion may help you feel more comfortable about the harder parts of the holiday, such as navigating the airport and reaching your hotel. Not everyone likes having a travel companion, and might prefer to take a trip alone as a ‘solo traveller’. If that’s the case, staying in touch with family and friends at home will help to ease any preoccupations, even if there is nothing to worry about.
Listen to your body
Lastly, but maybe most importantly – you should always listen to your body. If you feel fatigued, then do make sure to take a nap. If you are feeling dehydrated, take the time to sit down and have a drink. And of course, it goes without saying on any travels, that if you are hungry you should definitely enjoy some of the local cuisine.
Though holidays are geared to be relaxing and people hope to restore themselves whilst away, spending time away from home can actually be more exhausting than it seems. Only you know your own body, so it is important to take note of when you are pushing yourself, and know what you need to do to ensure you will feel okay after a trying day.
Travel is one of the grandest, most enlightening experiences available in the modern day world, but health is always the priority. If it takes a day, or a few days, out of your planned itinerary in order to nurse yourself back to full health, then so be it.
Travelling with a serious illness or long-term condition may seem daunting, however, with the right insurance it is entirely manageable. Good preparation, listening to your needs whilst away, and having solid travel insurance in place should you need medical assistance is all it takes to truly enjoy any travel experience without compromise.
