Suitable insurance should reflect health conditions, medication, mobility equipment, planned activities and the potential cost of assistance or repatriation. Price alone is a poor comparison.
Guide topic: Holiday planning
Why this needs planning
Answer medical screening questions accurately and disclose changes required by the policy. Check equipment limits, hired-item liability, cancellation, missed departure and companion cover.
Make a distinction between an essential requirement and a preference. Essential arrangements should be accepted by the organisation responsible for delivering them and retained in writing with the booking reference.
The issue travellers often miss
EHIC or GHIC arrangements do not replace travel insurance, and a standard baggage limit may be inadequate for specialist equipment.
Ask a precise question, name the equipment or assistance involved and request measurements or photographs where they would remove doubt. Reconfirm shortly before departure because staff, facilities and operating procedures can change.
Practical checklist
- Declare required conditions
- Check equipment value limits
- Read excesses and exclusions
- Save emergency-assistance numbers
- Carry policy details offline
Keep a written record
Save emails, quotations, specifications, photographs and named contacts somewhere available without mobile data. If the answer affects safety or determines whether the trip is possible, do not rely only on a telephone conversation.
Build a backup plan
Consider what the traveller would do if equipment is delayed, a lift is unavailable, an accessible vehicle does not arrive or assistance is different from that requested. A realistic alternative may be another route, a local provider, an adapted taxi or a companion with the correct information—not an unsafe workaround.
Important
Mobility Abroad provides independent preparation guidance. Policies, facilities and individual needs vary, so obtain current confirmation from the airline, accommodation, transport company, attraction or equipment provider responsible for the service.
Before you travel
Reconfirm all important arrangements directly with the airline, hotel, transfer company or equipment provider. Requirements and facilities can change.