Saturday, 1st March 2008 was the opening day of the Emigrate2 show at Sandown Park, Surrey.
I was interested to see the number of people who will attend after the recent media interest in emigration. Unsurprisingly the event was very well attended by many people interested in the big move abroad.
I met up with our old friends from Hifx and Kiwi-emigration. Since we introduced our ‘One-Way’ Cover, many companies in the emigration market have acknowledged that travel insurance is a vital part of the migration process. Although it is only taken up at the end of the migration process chain, instant cover is given for cancellation and allows you 3 weeks cover in your final destination giving you peace of mind while you arrange your Medicare, contents Insurances and the many other bits you have to arrange once you arrive.
Recent Stats I have been given indicates that 700 Brits a day are leaving to start a new life abroad. These are amazing figures. That is 4,900 a week, 19,600 a month. Why you might ask, well these are some of the reasons given to us: Weather, Schooling, and lifestyle. These are just a few.
I say good luck to anyone who decides to take the plunge and move abroad.
So, although we are at the end of the chain, I can’t emphasise enough the importance of taken out a travel insurance policy. Go Walkabout are specialist in this area. We would be more than happy to help you along the way and we can also put you in touch with other companies regarding your move.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Friday, 22 February 2008
Why is Insurance important?
“Why is Travel Insurance important?”
I pose this question only because over 30% of all travellers do not believe it is!
Do not take my word for it. This is the response given to a number of leading pollsters by members of the travelling public. Yes, even people like you and me, readers of ‘Travel Australia’.
Over the considerable number of years that I have been in the Insurance Industry, I have heard most of the reasons or, dare I say, excuses why Travel Insurance is not important.
“ There is too much small print and ‘they’ never pay claims!”
Yes there is a certain amount of small print in all precisely worded legal documents. However the majority of insurers are at great pains to explain ‘wordy’ insurance jargon in plain English. If the worthy attempts, in your opinion, still fall short, you can always consult your Insurance Advisor. He or she possesses the knowledge and skill to explain clearly to you what is covered by the policy, and equally as important what is not covered!
“ They never pay claims” What nonsense. The Insurance industry pays millions of pounds in claims every year to Travel Insurance policyholders. ‘Go Walkabout’ has handled a single claim this year which will be settled at a figure in excess of £30,000!
“I’ve never bothered with insurance – and nothing has ever happened to me”
Congratulations on your good fortune, but please do not spin that roulette wheel too many times!
“It’s not worth the hassle of claiming”
Of course it is, because insurers make it as hassle-free as possible. All insurers maintain a 24 hours response service for emergencies that happen anywhere in the world. Detailed advice is provided by insurers, in their documentation, on how to proceed in the event of a claim. Carry your policy with you at all times, read the ‘Claims Procedure’, apply a modicum of common sense, and I can guarantee that any hassle will be kept to a minimum.
“I’m ‘Backpacking’, I’m not taking anything of value”
Really? I happen to know that you are taking something more valuable to you than anything else in the world. Yourself!
Suffer an illness or have an accident in a ‘Third World’ country. Then you will realise how valuable you are, especially if you have no insurance cover.
If you lose your backpack you will realise just how important your belongings are as well!
“Why do I need medical insurance when there is a reciprocal arrangement in Australia and treatment will cost me nothing?”
Wrong thinking again, I’m afraid. You will pay for emergency dental treatment. You will pay for an ambulance. You will be charged for prescriptions. More importantly, if you have been seriously hurt in an accident or are seriously ill, how will you get home? Medicare will not pay for an air ambulance or nursing care on a return trip. Sadly, there are many examples of families being financially embarrassed and even bankrupted in their attempts to bring loved ones home.
“Excesses are so large it is not worth claiming”
A small contribution to a very large medical bill is hardly false economy. Any way the maximum excess payable on a ‘Go Walkabout’ policy is only £30.
“It’s too expensive – I’ve spent all my money on my trip, and I ‘d rather have spending money than wasting it on insurance premiums.”
A holiday can cost many hundreds of pounds. Even those who are on a tight budget are spending a lot of money on tickets alone. What if the trip has to be cancelled? Are you happy to give all that hard earned cash away to an airline or travel company with nothing in return? You can buy a year’s insurance to Australia and New Zealand for as little as £124. This amounts to less than 10% of your travel costs, and if you are unfortunate enough to have problems on the way, in real terms the cost of your cover is infinitesimal. How do you put a price on peace of mind? Where else other than in a travel insurance policy can you buy Medical Cover with Baggage, Liability, Cancellation and Curtailment, Loss to Passports and Money, etc.etc…. for less than £3 per week?
Why is Travel Insurance important?
If you can spare a little of your time, please call me at ‘Go Walkabout’.
I am always happy to have a chat and I’m sure that I can answer your question.
I pose this question only because over 30% of all travellers do not believe it is!
Do not take my word for it. This is the response given to a number of leading pollsters by members of the travelling public. Yes, even people like you and me, readers of ‘Travel Australia’.
Over the considerable number of years that I have been in the Insurance Industry, I have heard most of the reasons or, dare I say, excuses why Travel Insurance is not important.
“ There is too much small print and ‘they’ never pay claims!”
Yes there is a certain amount of small print in all precisely worded legal documents. However the majority of insurers are at great pains to explain ‘wordy’ insurance jargon in plain English. If the worthy attempts, in your opinion, still fall short, you can always consult your Insurance Advisor. He or she possesses the knowledge and skill to explain clearly to you what is covered by the policy, and equally as important what is not covered!
“ They never pay claims” What nonsense. The Insurance industry pays millions of pounds in claims every year to Travel Insurance policyholders. ‘Go Walkabout’ has handled a single claim this year which will be settled at a figure in excess of £30,000!
“I’ve never bothered with insurance – and nothing has ever happened to me”
Congratulations on your good fortune, but please do not spin that roulette wheel too many times!
“It’s not worth the hassle of claiming”
Of course it is, because insurers make it as hassle-free as possible. All insurers maintain a 24 hours response service for emergencies that happen anywhere in the world. Detailed advice is provided by insurers, in their documentation, on how to proceed in the event of a claim. Carry your policy with you at all times, read the ‘Claims Procedure’, apply a modicum of common sense, and I can guarantee that any hassle will be kept to a minimum.
“I’m ‘Backpacking’, I’m not taking anything of value”
Really? I happen to know that you are taking something more valuable to you than anything else in the world. Yourself!
Suffer an illness or have an accident in a ‘Third World’ country. Then you will realise how valuable you are, especially if you have no insurance cover.
If you lose your backpack you will realise just how important your belongings are as well!
“Why do I need medical insurance when there is a reciprocal arrangement in Australia and treatment will cost me nothing?”
Wrong thinking again, I’m afraid. You will pay for emergency dental treatment. You will pay for an ambulance. You will be charged for prescriptions. More importantly, if you have been seriously hurt in an accident or are seriously ill, how will you get home? Medicare will not pay for an air ambulance or nursing care on a return trip. Sadly, there are many examples of families being financially embarrassed and even bankrupted in their attempts to bring loved ones home.
“Excesses are so large it is not worth claiming”
A small contribution to a very large medical bill is hardly false economy. Any way the maximum excess payable on a ‘Go Walkabout’ policy is only £30.
“It’s too expensive – I’ve spent all my money on my trip, and I ‘d rather have spending money than wasting it on insurance premiums.”
A holiday can cost many hundreds of pounds. Even those who are on a tight budget are spending a lot of money on tickets alone. What if the trip has to be cancelled? Are you happy to give all that hard earned cash away to an airline or travel company with nothing in return? You can buy a year’s insurance to Australia and New Zealand for as little as £124. This amounts to less than 10% of your travel costs, and if you are unfortunate enough to have problems on the way, in real terms the cost of your cover is infinitesimal. How do you put a price on peace of mind? Where else other than in a travel insurance policy can you buy Medical Cover with Baggage, Liability, Cancellation and Curtailment, Loss to Passports and Money, etc.etc…. for less than £3 per week?
Why is Travel Insurance important?
If you can spare a little of your time, please call me at ‘Go Walkabout’.
I am always happy to have a chat and I’m sure that I can answer your question.
Migration
Travel Insurance for Migrants
Traditionally, Travel Insurance is arranged to cover holidaymakers who are travelling from the UK to a holiday destination for a predetermined period of time and then returning back to the UK. There are a variety of policies on offer in the market place, and you pay your money and make your choice.
But, what about the travellers who have made the decision to emigrate and are not planning to return to the UK? This can cause a real headache! This situation does not fit the criteria of the majority of insurance policies. What happens if you, or one of your family is taken seriously ill, or meets with a bad accident and require a long period of medical care? Normally an insurer would arrange for repatriation back to the UK. However, this could be most inconvenient if all your plans are set to start a new life in New Zealand!
At times of crisis and emergency it is imperative that the trauma is manageable and that you have the peace of mind that your insurance cover can extricate you from the problem. It is of no help if you find that the policy you have bought is not suitable to your needs.
Go Walkabout Travel Insurance is a popular specialist insurance designed for the global traveller and especially for those who have emigration or working holidays in mind. It has quality cover at affordable premiums and also offers an economy cover, which provides peace of mind to the traveller on a tight budget. The option to insure for one- way journeys is just one of it’s exceptional features.
If you require further details, contact Go Walkabout on 0845 345 0327. They are a friendly group of people and are always pleased to help. Alternatively you may wish to visit their web site at www.go-walkabout.co.uk
Harold Lawrence, the boss of Go Walkabout Insurance, has coined the phrase,” Don’t go walkabout before speaking to Go Walkabout”
We are inclined to agree that they are well worth a call!
Traditionally, Travel Insurance is arranged to cover holidaymakers who are travelling from the UK to a holiday destination for a predetermined period of time and then returning back to the UK. There are a variety of policies on offer in the market place, and you pay your money and make your choice.
But, what about the travellers who have made the decision to emigrate and are not planning to return to the UK? This can cause a real headache! This situation does not fit the criteria of the majority of insurance policies. What happens if you, or one of your family is taken seriously ill, or meets with a bad accident and require a long period of medical care? Normally an insurer would arrange for repatriation back to the UK. However, this could be most inconvenient if all your plans are set to start a new life in New Zealand!
At times of crisis and emergency it is imperative that the trauma is manageable and that you have the peace of mind that your insurance cover can extricate you from the problem. It is of no help if you find that the policy you have bought is not suitable to your needs.
Go Walkabout Travel Insurance is a popular specialist insurance designed for the global traveller and especially for those who have emigration or working holidays in mind. It has quality cover at affordable premiums and also offers an economy cover, which provides peace of mind to the traveller on a tight budget. The option to insure for one- way journeys is just one of it’s exceptional features.
If you require further details, contact Go Walkabout on 0845 345 0327. They are a friendly group of people and are always pleased to help. Alternatively you may wish to visit their web site at www.go-walkabout.co.uk
Harold Lawrence, the boss of Go Walkabout Insurance, has coined the phrase,” Don’t go walkabout before speaking to Go Walkabout”
We are inclined to agree that they are well worth a call!
Friday, 15 February 2008
Make sure your covered for your travels
‘Go Walkabout’ Takes Travel Insurance a Giant Step Forward East Sussex based Go Walkabout Travel Insurance (http://www.go-walkabout.com/) is striding ahead as a niche provider of inexpensive quality cover especially designed for backpackers and gap-year wanderers, migrants and older travellers.
Go Walkabout offers many valuable and unusual features including ‘one-way’ travel insurance, for migrants, which provides cover for up to 21 days after arrival at their final destination.
The adventurously minded can extend all policies to cover hazardous pursuits such as bunjee jumping, and mature travellers can obtain standard cover up to the age of 80. The company will cover ‘high level’ trekking at altitudes of up to 5,800m, and also caters for working holidays that include manual and agricultural labour.
Go Walkabout’s economy cover offers all the essentials at a budget price, and peace of mind is ensured as all policies are underwritten by insurance giant, Equity Red Star. “Our business is growing rapidly, and we receive many plaudits on ex-pat and migration internet forums, yet in many ways Go Walkabout remains the travel insurance industry’s best-kept secret,” says Harold Lawrence, managing partner. “We are a small, niche company and, for that reason, we do not tend to be ‘picked up’ by the media when it is comparing or advising on travel products. That’s a pity because I believe our travel insurance products and service are second to none.” Mr Lawrence established Go Walkabout in November 1999 as a scheme within a general insurance brokerage business which he subsequently sold in 2000.
Since then, he has run Go Walkabout as a separate entity, and was joined by Adam Taylor in April 2007 as the business continued to expand. Go Walkabout’s emigration cover is proving especially popular as large numbers of Britons continue to head for sun-kissed destinations such as Australia and Spain. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the number of British citizens leaving the country rose from 159,000 in 2001 to 198,000 in 2005.
Go Walkabout provides a full range of holiday travel insurance. In addition to ‘One Way’ cover, Go Walkabout offers ‘Single Trip’ cover for periods up to eighteen months, annual ‘multi-trip’, and worldwide holiday insurance. Quotes can be obtained on the company website, and cover arranged either ‘on line’ or by calling 0845 345 0327.
“Our priority is to provide a travel insurance product at a competitive premium that does not compromise on essential cover,” said Mr Lawrence. “As a small company, we treat our customers as individuals. We strive to maintain high standards of personal service by offering our customers professional advice and efficient administration. We do not use call centres, or require people to push buttons, before waiting in a queue, in order to speak to an advisor.“A high percentage of our business comes through recommendation, but no one should go walkabout without first checking out Go Walkabout!”
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