Why do I need Business Travel Insurance?
Business travel insurance is progressively becoming more significant to organisations large and small as the need for international relations increases. Companies must protect their employee’s welfare whilst on business travel or face being prosecuted by the Corporate Manslaughter or Duty of Care laws. Insufficient cover can lead to numerous problems if such an illness or political problem arises whilst a member of staff is on business travel.
What is Business Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance covers you for the cost of unexpected events that can occur while you are abroad, such as a lost laptop, additional expenses due to missed connections, reimbursed for cancelled flights etc
The main purpose of which, is to cover you for the potentially high cost of medical treatment and repatriation if you are injured or fall ill abroad, particularly in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)*.
If you need medical treatment while travelling within the EEA, your European Health Insurance Card(EHIC) allows you to receive treatment on the same basis (for example, free or at a reduced cost) as people who live in that country.
The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance – you should still take out travel insurance if you are travelling to a country within the EEA.
Making a Claim
Medical treatment and repatriation
Policies vary from insurer to insurer, but most travel insurance policies should include:
- emergency medical treatment costs, including hospital charges and ambulance fees
- returning you home following medical treatment abroad if you cannot use your original ticket
- reasonable additional transport and/or accommodation expenses for a close relative or friend to stay with you or travel from the UK to escort you if required
- temporary emergency dental treatment for the relief of immediate pain
- 24 hour assistance helplines to offer support and advice about appropriate treatment
It is important to answer any questions from your insurer about your medical history fully and honestly, including any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. Withholding details of your medical history may mean you are not fully covered.
Additional covers
Some policies will also include or offer the following additional cover for you to consider:
- personal liability cover if you accidentally cause an injury to someone or damage their property and they choose to sue you
- personal accident cover that pays a lump sum to you or your estate if you suffer a severe accident during your trip that results in permanent disability, or death
- lost and stolen possession cover
- legal expenses cover helps you to pursue compensation or damages following personal injury while you’re abroad – is important in countries without a legal aid system
- cover for cancellation and curtailment (cutting your trip short) in certain circumstances
- hazardous sports or leisure activities such as skiing or bungee jumping – you may need to extend your policy or buy a specialist policy to get cover for these
Travel to volatile destinations
Your insurance may not cover you if the FCO, or the government of the country of your destination, advises against travel to that country.
To find out which countries the FCO advises against travelling to, see the FCO website.
