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.
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.
Medical treatment and repatriation
Policies vary from insurer to insurer, but most travel insurance policies should include:
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.
Some policies will also include or offer the following additional cover for you to consider:
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.