Outdoors....Observations and Oddities

Walking with the Kelly Kettle for brews..

I'm not a patient person.

In fact my daughter has been known to call me The Dwarf Doctor - a man of little patients (!!!)

So it may come as a surprise to those who know me that on our recent trip to Scotland I spent some time just sitting around chilling out, reading my books, writing and playing guitar. I don't have much time for any of those things normally - as many of us who have the exigencies of life thrust upon us will know - leisure time is hard to come by.

Yet in Scotland I seem to have the ability to slow down - and this was not a pure holiday trip, work was commingled with holiday time but still this capacity to relax, unwind and not pester the life out of my wife - all of which are so difficult under normal circumstances and even on vacations take days to achieve - was accomplished almost instantly.

Not a soul to be seen....anywhere!

I think it's Scotland. Since I first drove through Glen Coe in November 1990 I have had a love affair with the country that has led, at times, to an almost insane need to get there, even if it's only for a weekend. Even now after 23 years Mrs Kelly knows that any trip to Scotland - even one with the most time demanding work schedule - will cheer up even the darkest of moods, the most miserable of days.

We saw these beauties on a walk straight out of our front door

I recently had a fantastic holiday on the island of Madeira (and if you get the chance to go you really should) but I noticed even there that it took two or three days to completely unwind and settle into "holiday time". It's a wonderful place and the ability for the islands to grow crops on even the most inaccessible or tiniest of plots fired me up to work extra hard on my own garden this year and with great success I might add, but nothing helps me to relax like Scotland. Nothing else gives me the ability to stop and look around, to slow my mind into the pace of the countryside, the beauty, the rolling fields, the monolithic mountains and the tumbling rivers like this country does. I even find myself driving slower on the motorway home..

We only saw a handful of other people on this glorious September day

However, there is one British phenomenon which upsets me so much that I am at times speechlessly bemused but which doesn't seem to happen in Scotland quite so much. Yet it does happen and due to the nature of the Scottish landscape, its beauty, its accessibility and its availability to all, the occurrence of these paradoxical events are all the more upsetting.

I'm talking about the outdoor trip to a car park.

This is the marvel that is outdoor picnics, drinks and sometimes even barbecues within 50 feet of a car. The great British drive to the Country, Seaside or Park, the unloading of camp chairs, flasks, food and all the paraphernalia of the kitchen just to sit within sight of the car, eat the food drink the drink take a long look at the wonderful scenery and then to turn ones back on it, get back into the car and drive away.

Where I live, in our country cottage we have a wonderful first hand view of this oddity as mile upon mile of cars pass by towards Hastings and the coast, beginning at about 10 am every Bank Holiday and returning at around 6 pm the same day. The thought of those thousands of people filling up every pebble of space on the beach, squeezing into every Fish and Chip Shop and fighting for every car parking space makes my blood freeze. We are so lucky to have about 770 acres of wonderfully cared for National Trust land on our doorstep yet of the 2000 to 3000 people who visit here every Bank Holiday Weekend only a few dozen or so walk the entire Estate, most of the visitors never make it past the Cafe and Shop.

Our coastline has endless miles of walks, available to all

This is so sad, I understand that we are all different and many of us enjoy these shared experiences, but sitting in traffic fumes for hours, jostling for breathing space and food is not my idea of fun. There is still an awful lot of outdoors available - in fact in Scotland there is a legal Right to Roam, to make the most of ALL the land and countryside, to walk for as long or as far as you wish. In England and Wales there are miles and miles of coastal paths, country parks, National Parks and footpaths lovingly documented and drawn up by assiduous, country loving people in every community - our local Pub even has cards of nearby walks available to all.

The Outdoors is there for everyone, walking is free and healthy and there is so much to discover. I don't even mind if you come and walk around here, just enjoy it and respect it, take your litter home;

Take only Photographs and Memories and leave only footprints.

And most rivers have miles of walkable banks - this is the Itchen

Please check our website for both UK and International cover for ALL your holidays...HERE

Pre-Existing Medical

At Holsure we understand that many people have irrelevant, minor health conditions and yet cannot go abroad because they can't get adequate travel insurance cover. We pride ourselves on offering cover for as many conditions as possible. We try hard to ensure that as many people who want to travel, can. Many conditions are certainly not life threatening and may not even be expected to impinge upon your holiday plans in any way and yet some companies place expensive restrictions or even exclusions on these conditions - we try to help as much as we can - we don't want you taking the risk of travelling without insurance...

Please click here to see a copy of the policy wording for our medical conditions scheme and view the health conditions which apply. Other policies on our website have different health conditions and you should review the Health Declarations as part of the quote process prior to accepting the quote. 

If you cannot comply with the relevant health conditions you will be given a number to call for medical screening. The medical screening service will ask detailed questions about your health and medication and will then either confirm cover, request a small additional premium (to be paid separately to the medical screening helpline) or in rare cases refuse cover for your particular condition.  

Alternatively, you can purchase the policy and call the medical screening healthline within 14 days (or before you travel if this is sooner) once you receive the policy. 

For specialist travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions, choose to insure your hols with Holsure HERE.

Odd Notes and Travel Tips

Did you know it's illegal to take bottled water into Nigeria or wear camouflage in Barbados - even bathing shorts? 

No? Well, that's why at Holsure we advocate research before holidays, but we also thought we'd put up some lesser known facts about Travel Insurance too.

Don't wait to take your Insurance Policy out until just before your trip - if you do, you risk not being able to recover any costs you have already incurred if you j=have to cancel. It makes sense to take out your Policy when you book your vacations - you will then be covered for any losses that may occur - including deposits.

Taking a Caravan or Trailer abroad?  Be aware that some European Motoring Breakdown Assistance policies levy a hefty surcharge for covering them on your policy. A few, such as Holsure, charge only a modest fee.

If you are travelling more than once a year even in the UK  and your trip is pre-booked, it will probably be cheaper to buy an annual policy rather than a series (or even two) single policies.

If Travelling to Europe never forget your European Health Insurance Card - in fact keep it with your passport. You'll need it if you have to attend a local hospital or visit a Doctor.

Please keep reading our blog for future fun and important tips about your Travel and visit our website for a look around.....HERE

Driving In Europe

Who can deny the freedom afforded by a touring holiday in Europe? The open roads, the ability to stop at every gob-smacking viewpoint, café or restaurant; choosing your overnight stops as you go and changing route plans as you wish - these are all advantages of touring Europe in your own car, caravan or camper.

Imagine the ability to re-route your holiday as thunder storms approach the South of France to detour towards Barcelona and the Spanish sun; or extend your journey through Munich and on to Salzburg just because you can. My wife and I once drove from Apeloorn, where we had been working, into Munster and then to Dortmund where I was born, just because we had a few days free and wanted to see some of Germany and taste some good German food.

I would much rather drive into Europe than fly or take the train, although I have done both and enjoyed Eurostar and the European flights from England - it's just that driving allows you to pack more (including the fishing tackle) and allow for contingencies. I also think it can be cheaper to drive and find your own accommodation at prices you can afford. The same with restaurants and your itinerary.

Yet, whilst budgeting may be important, please do not scrimp on Breakdown Cover or European Travel Insurance. Remember, too to take your EHIC card - more on that HERE

Breakdown cover for your vehicle is as essential as ensuring that you are your family are covered for accidents and health issues while abroad. The cost of recovering a vehicle from Europe to the UK can be exorbitant as can car repair costs when you include accommodation for all the family - don't be caught out - it can be very reasonable to cover your vehicle for a two week tour.

At Holsure, with Green Flag our Breakdown cover includes the following:

• Handled in European call centres
• Complete Roadside assistance
• Free translation service
• Repatriates your vehicle to the UK
• No Call Out charges
• Covers everyone on your holiday
• Optional cover for Caravans, Trailers & Motor Homes
• Covers all cars and motorcycles up to 16 yrs old     

Also, our cover starts from under £40 for 14 days, making it one of the best value policies available.

Please take a look at our web site to compare our cover and costs - HERE

Why Multi-Trip Travel Insurance is the Economical Choice

An increasing number of Canadians are lining up to cross the Canada-U.S. border for the day. In January alone, 2.8 million same-day car trips were recorded, hitting a 16-year high!^1,2 While the lure of a money-saving shopping excursion is credited for many of these quick trips,³ your clients are putting themselves at risk of a potentially hefty hospital bill if they aren’t protected with travel insurance.

Do you know how much an ER visit could cost?

People get sick and accidents do happen — 2009 stats reveal more than 2.3 million adult drivers and passengers were treated in emergency departments in the United States after being injured in a motor vehicle crash.⁴ Just one day in an American hospital costs on average $4,287($US).⁵

This begs the question: Are your same-day travel Canadians protected? Most day-trippers who do not purchase travel insurance aren’t necessarily risk-takers; they just forget to buy it or are simply unaware of the financial risk they are taking.⁶ Take the initiative and remind yourself!

Manulife travel insurance for the multi-trip traveller

Once awareness of the need for travel insurance is established, find out if you frequently travel throughout the year. If this is the case, find the economical Multi-Trip plan.

This travel insurance plan offers many benefits for you:

• Purchased once a year, it eliminates the need to fill out an application for individual trips.
• Interprovincial emergency travel is covered for services such as an air ambulance to transport clients back to their home province.
• It covers amateur athletics such as hockey and soccer tournaments for no extra charge, providing the sport is not your principal paid occupation.
• In the event of a medical emergency, by simply calling the 24/7 emergency hotline number, arrangements will be made to have your medical bills sent directly to Manulife, where possible, and you would avoid out-of-pocket expenses.

Travel insurance that’s as flexible as you travel plans

You will also appreciate that the Multi-Trip plan offers a lot of flexibility. Plans can be purchased for 4, 10, 18 or 30 days. Plus, if a trip exceeds the duration limit that they initially purchased, you can top up with additional days for individual trips. So if you travel habits are typically covered by your 18-day plan but they decide to go away once for 25 days, be advised of the availability of a one-time 7-day top-up plan.

The Multi-Trip Plan — it’s more economical than you may think!

If you are convinced that purchasing individual trip insurance is the more economical route, find this example of a travelling couple.

Jenn, 30 years old, and her husband Mike, 35, reside in Ontario. They both enjoy travelling down south a couple of times a year and cross-border shopping. When they compared the cost of purchasing a single-trip plan each time they travel to the cost of purchasing a Multi-Trip plan only once a year, it was evident that a Multi-Trip plan covers medical emergencies for less.

Single-Trip Emergency Medical		Multi-Trip Emergency Medical
Trip #1: 1-day shopping trip for both	$5.13	10-day trip Jenn Mike	$49.40 $49.40
Trip #2: 6-day vacation for both	$30.78
Trip #3: 7-day vacation for both	$35.91
Trip #4: 1-day shopping trip for both	$5.13
Trip #5: 8-day vacation for both	$41.04
Trip #6: 1-day shopping trip for both	$5.13
Total  for 6 trips	$123.12	Total for unlimited number  of 10-day trips/year	$98.80

Rates are for a couple, effective November 30, 2012. Rate category A; no deductible.

Pay attention to details

Before discussing the Multi-Trip plan, make sure you understand the different rate categories and definitions. If you are 55 years of age or older and unsure about the stability of any pre-existing medical condition or about their medications, you should consult their doctor before completing the medical questions on the application.

An easy sale

If your travel habits are anything like Jenn and Mike’s, the Multi-Trip plan offers the flexibility, convenience and affordability to suit your lifestyle. With the number of Canadians taking more trips across the border up 5.3% from a year ago,¹ this plan will be the ideal choice for many of you who are part of this trend.

Sources:

1. Statistics Canada: Travel between Canada and other countries. January 2013. 
   Accessed at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130320/t130320b001-eng.htm.
2. Statistics Canada: Travel between Canada and other countries. February 2012. 
   Accessed at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/120419/dq120419c-eng.htm.
3. CBCnews. U.S. cashing in on Canadian shoppers. February 21, 2012. 
   Accessed at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/21/cross-border-tax-shopping.html.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Injury prevention & control: motor vehicle safety. 
   Accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/.
5. International Federation of Health Plans. 2012 comparative price report.
6. The Conference Board of Canada. Outbound Canada: Canadian Travel Health Insurance Survey Results. May 2012

Quote: Manulife Financial Affinity Market

Winter Sports

It may seem a touch incongruous to discuss Winter Sports at the end of what may have been the UK's best summer since 2006, but such is the nature of the Travel Industry that if we want to secure our favourite skiing destination, or the venue that will allow us to participate in all our extreme winter sports in one designated holiday area,  then we have to book early.

But if any holiday demands a comprehensive Travel Insurance Plan then the one where your feet are often planted firmly in the air must be that one. The Holiday during which dealing with the ski lifts can be more stressful than coping with the slopes requires careful planning and an even more assiduous contingency strategy. 

We have all heard of the humorous, shocking, unexpected and gob-smacking anecdotes of skiing holidays - dinner parties everywhere have a whole 45 minutes dedicated to such horror stories that leave us bemused and often grateful that we were not on the receiving end of Lady Luck's attention - this time.

Many of those who take part in Winter Sports Holidays are seasoned pros, or at least returning regulars, but what should you expect from a Winter Sports Travel Policy? Well, take a look at the list below:

• Off piste skiing or snowboarding;
• 4x4 off road driving on ice or snow;
• Bobsleighing & dog-sledding;
• cross country skiing & snowboarding
• curling
• Glacier walking
• heli-skiing,
• Ice hockey, ice skating & land skiing,
• Luge & mono skiing,
• Recreational Ski Racing,
• skiing, skidoos, sledging, sleigh rides, snowboarding, snow mobiling, snowparks,
• snow-shoeing and tobogganing
• Cover for age up to 70
• Ski equipment cover
• Ski pack cover
• Ski hire cover
• Piste closure cover
• Avalanche cover
• Big name reliable insurers: AGEAS Insurance Ltd
• Discounts for Couples, Family and Single Parent Families
• Full medical and repatriation cover abroad including skiing accidents
• UK medical advice and translation service

Pretty comprehensive we like to think, but please check our website for more details, but don't forget - your Insurance should be in place when you book your holiday to ensure that your deposit is also protected.

Take a look around our website HERE

Channel Islands, research and recent changes...

At Holsure, we try to encourage travellers to carry out some research when heading off on their holidays. Whether you are flying off on a cheap package tour to The Balearics or an expensive, all inclusive fortnight on some remote island paradise, it's worthwhile checking out the history of that area and perhaps visiting some of the local sights and sites....

Somewhere on that research list should be a verification of the local Health Services and how they tie in with your holiday. For example, many parts of Europe do dot have a Health Service like ours, some parts do not have one at all and you should be aware that in the event of an accident or illness you or your family could find yourselves in some financial difficulty. Naturally, in other parts of the World outside Europe this situation can become much more extreme and Insurance issues become even more of a priority.

Of course, we all hope that such events will never occur and that our holidays will  end leaving us a wonderful montage of memories, photographs and souvenirs; scars and fevers are not included on that list.

A classic case in point is The Channel Islands where, since 2009, reciprocal health arrangements with the UK were changed and Medical Expenses for UK residents are no longer free in The Channel Islands. Many Insurers therefore, now treat these Islands as part of Europe and this has increased the Insurance costs.

At Holsure, however, we still treat the policy cover as if you were travelling within the UK and premiums are therefore lower. Additionally, annual policies are available if you are a regular traveller and no pre-booked accommodation requirement exists, this allows you to stay with family or friends.

Our policies also cover missed departure for connecting flights in the UK (including informally arranged connecting flights so long as adequate time is allowed) – and as many of you know this is very important when travelling over the foggy channel. 

Cover is essential for Channel Islands or UK residents travelling between the 2 countries so please check out our website for all the details you may require HERE and remember, please travel safely.