Flights & Holidays

Travel insurance Taking out travel insurance can help you get financial and practical assistance should something go wrong on your trip abroad. Unfortunately, illness, theft or accidents can happen anywhere. Travel insurance can vary widely on price and levels of cover. If your trip involves particular sports or activities that are considered a risk, check that your insurer offers extra cover or you may need to call a specialist insurer. Get several quotations before you choose your travel insurance and check carefully what each offers. Policy checklist You may want to check the following to make sure the insurance you take out matches your needs. emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation (being returned to the UK) 24-hour emergency assistance - some insurance companies offer an around-the-clock helpline in case you have a serious problem personal liability - if someone is injured or his or her property is damaged by you or something belonging to you, he or she could make a claim against you you having to cut short or cancel your trip, as you may be liable to pay the full cost or part of the cost if you cancel the replacement cost of your personal possessions, including money and documents - your policy will specify limits The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website offers detailed information on travel insurance. Foreign currencies There are many different currencies in use around the world. The amount of foreign currency that your British pound will buy depends on the current exchange rate. Exchange rates can rise or fall from day to day according to changing economic circumstances. Getting foreign currency You can change your British pounds for a foreign currency at: some travel agents Bureaux de Change in airports, ferry terminals and on some ships banks some Post Offices Not all currency exchange places will be able to supply you with coins in the currency you want, so it is worth checking this if you will need coins for things like road tolls and luggage trolleys when you arrive in another country. If you want large amounts of currency and/or an unusual currency you may need to order in advance as it might not be held in stock. The euro The euro came into effect as a new currency on 1 January 2002. Euro notes and coins have now completely replaced the old national currencies in all transactions in the 15 countries that make up the 'euro area'. The countries of the euro area are: Austria Belgium Cyprus Finland France Germany Greece Italy Ireland Luxembourg Malta The Netherlands Portugal Spain Slovenia The UK, Denmark and Sweden are not part of the euro area. There are seven banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro. There are eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent; and 1 and 2 euro. One euro is equivalent to 100 cents. Euro notes are the same in all countries in the euro area. The coins are the same on one side and have a national symbol on the other. Any country's coins can be used anywhere else in the euro area (for example, you can use a Spanish 2 euro coin to buy goods in France). Mobile Phones