This policy wording including any cover notes issued by Columbus Direct forms a contract of insurance between the underwriters, Professional Travel Insurance Company Limited., and those people specified on your insurance schedule. This contract is only valid when you have a valid insurance schedule and have paid the appropriate premium.

Please read the following, which should assist you in achieving a trouble-free and enjoyable trip. If you have any query whatsoever our Customer Services staff will be happy to assist. Tel: 0845 330 8518. 

1. Read the terms and conditions stated in your policy documents. Contact Customer Services if the cover provided is inadequate for your needs.
2. You may have a right to cancel the cover up to 14 days from the date you receive your policy documentation. If you have such a Cancellation Right we will confirm this to you on your policy schedule. You must return your insurance schedule to Columbus Direct to activate this right.
3. You have an obligation to notify us immediately of any changes in your circumstances (medical or otherwise) which may pose an increased risk to us.
4. If you wish to apply to have your policy extended to cover any medical conditions, contact us.
5. Ensure the limits (including single item limits) of the policy are sufficient to cover the items you intend to take with you including cash and valuables.
6. If you intend to participate in Sports or Activities, ensure this is detailed on your schedule.
7. You will not be covered if you drive or ride on a motorcycle over 125cc whilst you are away.  
8. Ensure all passports and visas are valid.
9. You will not be covered if you choose to travel to a specific area against the advice issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. www.fco.gov.uk – tel +44 (0) 207 008 0232/0233.
10. Obtain all appropriate vaccinations and travel advice from your local GP or travel clinic. Online travel health advice: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.
11. If you are travelling to a country in the European Union, obtain the Health Advice for Travellers booklet from the Post Office. You should arrange to have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) issued and carry this with you when you travel. 
12. Take your Insurance Schedule, Policy Wording and any Endorsement issued by us with you when you travel.
13. Allow sufficient time for your journey from home to your departure point in order to meet the specified check-in time.

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CLAIMS PROCEDURE

Medical

The Assistance Service will confirm whether your treatment or expenses are covered under the terms of your policy and can liaise directly with hospitals regarding your medical requirements and payment of bills. Should you require specialist travel arrangements, the Assistance Service can make appropriate arrangements, based on medical necessity.

In some cases it may be easier to pay minor expenses yourself. If you are in any doubt as to whether these costs will be covered, contact the Assistance Service for prior authorisation. Keep all receipts and medical reports and submit a claim when you return home. Curtailment

Call the Assistance Service if you need to return early for an insured reason. All Other Claims:

• Check the relevant policy section to see if you are covered.
• Check what documentation is required to make a claim.
• Contact the Claims Service to request a claim form.
• Submit your claim within 28 days of returning home. (In certain cases you may wish to claim whilst still travelling – this is possible but you must still adhere to the usual claims requirements).
• Keep copies of your completed claim form and all supporting documentation (originals must be submitted to the Claims Service).
• Keep any damaged items that are the subject of a claim. They may be required for salvage/assessment.

How the Claims Service deal with your claim

• They will aim to assess your claim within 5 working days of receiving your completed claim form. 
• They may require you to provide further information, in which case your response will be assessed within 5 working days.  
• They may appoint a loss adjuster to discuss your claim in person.
• They will settle all valid claims by sterling cheque.

CLAIMS CONDITIONS

1. You must exercise reasonable care to prevent illness, accidental injury, loss or damage and exercise all reasonable care for the safety and supervision of your property as if uninsured.
2. Original receipts and/or proof of ownership and value must be supplied in the event of a claim.
3. You must take all reasonable steps to recover any lost or stolen article.
4. If we require any medical certificates, information, evidence or receipts, these must be obtained by you, at your expense.
5. If any claim is found to be fraudulent, in amount or in any other respect, this will invalidate your insurance and all claims will be forfeited.
6. This insurance policy does not cover any claim which, but for the existence of this insurance, would be covered under any other insurance policy(ies). This includes any amounts recovered by you from private health insurance, EHIC payments, any reciprocal health agreements, airlines, hotels, home contents insurers or any other recovery by yourself which is the basis of a claim. If at the time of making a claim, we decide to settle our liability under your policy and there is another policy covering the same risk, we will be entitled to contact that insurer for a contribution under our rights of subrogation.
7. We may, at any time, pay our full liability under the policy in final settlement. .
8. We may, at our own expense, take proceedings in your name to recover compensation or secure an indemnity from any third party, insurance company, reciprocal health agreement, airline or hotel. Any monies so recovered or secured shall belong to us.
9. In the event of a claim, if we require a medical examination you must agree to this. In the event of death, we are entitled to a post mortem examination. The medical examination and post mortem would be at our expense.
10. You must not make any payment, admit liability, offer or promise to make any payment without written consent from us.
11. We are entitled to take over any rights in the defence or settlement of any claim and to take proceedings in your name for our benefit against any other party.

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DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE WHOLE POLICY

Whenever the following words appear in this policy they will always have these meanings:

We/Us/Our: Professional Travel Insurance Company Limited. and their appointed representatives.

You/Your: Each insured person as shown on your insurance schedule.

Additional Sports Equipment: items taken on a trip used exclusively for a sport or activity declared to us and shown on your insurance schedule.

Accident: A sudden, unexpected, unusual, specific, violent, external event which occurs at a single identifiable time and place and independently of all other causes, results directly, immediately and solely in physical bodily injury which results in a loss. In no event shall the contracting of any disease and/or illness (including, but not limited to heart attack, stroke or cancer), nor the injection or ingestion of any substance, be considered an accident. An event which directly or indirectly exacerbates a previously existing physical bodily injury shall not be considered an accident.

Assistance Service: the assistance service named on the insurance schedule.

Biological Weapons: The emission, discharge, dispersal, release or escape of any pathogenic (disease producing) micro-organism(s) and/or biologically produced toxin(s) (including genetically modified organisms and chemically synthesised toxins) which are capable of causing incapacitating disablement or death amongst people or animals.

Business Equipment: Any equipment, as declared to us and used for the sole purpose of your business trip.

Cash: Any legal currency.

Chemical Weapons: the emission, discharge, dispersal, release or escape of any solid, liquid or gaseous chemical compound which, when suitably distributed, is capable of causing incapacitating disablement or death amongst people or animals. 

Close Business Associate: Any person whose absence from business for one or more complete days at the same time as your absence prevents the effective continuation of that business.

Country of Residence: The United Kingdom or as stated on your insurance schedule.

Curtail/Curtailment: Return home early to your country of residence.

Documents: Travel tickets, passports and driving licence held by you for social, domestic and/or pleasure purposes.

Endorsement: A written agreement detailing specific policy terms.

Excess: An amount deducted in the event of a claim that applies to each insured person involved and to every incident.

Home: Your residential address in your country of residence.

Immediate Relative: Mother, father, sister, brother, wife, husband, fiancé(e), common-law spouse, daughter, son, grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, step-parent, step-child, step-brother or step-sister.

Medical Condition: Any medical condition, which has been suffered, or under investigation or review (routine or otherwise), or for which medication, advice or treatment has been received within the past 12 months (prior to the date your policy is issued or the date your trip is booked – whichever is later). This includes longstanding conditions, surgery (including any elective procedures), as well as injuries that may be exacerbated by the activity/trip you propose to undertake and pregnancy where there have been complications with this or a previous pregnancy.

Medical Practitioner: A registered practising member of the medical profession who is not related to you or to any person with whom you are travelling or intending to stay.

Nuclear Weapons: The use of any explosive nuclear weapon or device or the emission, discharge, dispersal, release or escape of fissile material emitting a level of radioactivity capable of causing incapacitating disablement or death amongst people or animals. 

Period of Insurance: The period of insurance is specified on your insurance schedule. If your return is unavoidably delayed for an insured reason, cover will be extended for the period of the delay. If the period of travel exceeds, or was intended to exceed, the trip limit specified on your insurance schedule, then no cover will apply in respect of the entire period of travel (including the insured period under the policy).

a) Single Trip policies: Section 1,Cancellation cover is effective from the time and date of issue of the insurance schedule and terminates on commencement of the planned trip. For all other sections, cover commences when you leave your home or business (whichever is the later) to commence the trip and terminates on whichever occurs first of the following:

1. the expiry of the period of cover;
2. your return home as planned, at the end of the trip;
3. your first return home prior to the planned return at the end of the trip (except in the case of Backpacker policies, where if you return to the UK within the planned trip dates, cover will be suspended from the time you arrive in the UK and will only resume once you leave immigration control in the country of your next ticketed destination).

b) Annual Multi-trip policies: Section 1, Cancellation cover for each trip is effective from either the start date on the insurance schedule or the time and date at which each trip is booked (whichever is the later), and terminates on whichever occurs first of the following:

1. the commencement of each trip, or
2. the expiry of the period of cover.

For all other sections, cover commences when you leave your home or business (whichever is the later) to commence each trip and terminates on whichever occurs first of the following:

1. the expiry of the period of cover;
2. your return home as planned, at the end of each trip;
3. your first return to your country of residence prior to the planned return at the end of each trip;
4. your period of travel exceeding the trip limit specified in your insurance schedule.

For UK trips: you must have pre-booked accommodation for 2 nights or more.

c) One-way trips only: the period of insurance will cease upon whichever occurs first of the following:

1. the expiry of the period of cover, or
2. when you first leave immigration control in the country of your final ticketed and declared destination

Personal Baggage: Your suitcases (or similar luggage carriers) and contents usually taken on a trip, together with articles worn or carried by you for your individual use during your trip. (Not including any specialised items, medical or otherwise).

Pre-booked Accommodation: a hotel, hostel, bed and breakfast, rented holiday home, camping or caravan site, for which an invoice, bill, receipt or voucher can be produced.

Public Transport: The following regular scheduled forms of transport: train, coach, taxi, bus, aircraft and sea vessel, on which you are a fare paying passenger.

Replacement Business Colleague: a person working for the same company and in the same office as you and nominated in order to continue the proper functioning of your trip.

Terrorism: any act of any person(s) acting on behalf of or in connection with any organisation whose activities are directed towards the overthrowing, influencing or disruption of any government and/or to put the public, or any section of the public, in fear de jure or de facto by use of force or violence and/or the threat of such use. 

Travelling Companion: means the person with whom you have booked to travel on the planned trip. In the case of a tour, travelling companion shall mean the person(s) shown on your booking form.

Valuables: Jewellery, watches, Cameras, photographic apparatus, binoculars, video equipment, mobile telephones and any audio or audiovisual equipment including (but not limited to): tape recorders, cassettes and players, radios, compact discs and players, minidiscs and players, portable media players, computers and accessories, video games and TV sets, prescribed medication.

Winter Sports: On and off-piste skiing, blading and snowboarding, tobogganing and outdoor ice skating.

Winter Sports Equipment: Skis, bindings, ski boots, ski poles, snowboards and specialised clothing.

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GENERAL CONDITIONS

A. INDEPENDENT TRAVEL. Each person named on the insurance schedule is insured separately.

B. TERRITORIAL DEFINITIONS. You are covered for travel within the geographical region defined on your insurance schedule.

C. POLICY EXCESS. The policy excess will be deducted in the event of a claim under certain sections of the policy. The excess will be charged for each incident that results in a claim. If a claim for an incident falls under more than one section of the policy, only the highest excess will be applied

D. SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES. You are covered to participate in the following sports and activities (provided you are not participating on a professional basis): angling, archery*, athletics*(not including marathon running), badminton, banana boating, baseball*, basketball, billiards, body boarding, bowling, boxing training (no contact), camel riding*, canoeing, catamaran sailing**, clay pigeon shooting, climbing (climbing wall), cricket*, croquet, curling, cycling (non-touring)*, dancing, darts, dinghy racing, dinghy sailing, elephant ride, fell walking, flag american football, football, golf, gymnastics, helicopter ride (passenger), hiking, horse drawn sleigh, horse riding, horse trekking, hot air ballooning (passenger), jet skiing*, kite surfing (on a lake)*, light aircraft rides (passenger) martial arts training, motorcycling under 125cc* (as a means of transport only), netball, orienteering, paint balling*, pony trekking, pool, rambling, rifle range*, ringos, rounders, rugby league*, rugby union*, sailing** (in-shore & off-shore), scuba diving (max. 30m), sledging, snooker, snorkelling, snow-shoeing, soccer, softball, squash*, surfing*, swimming, swimming with dolphins, table tennis, tennis, ten-pin bowling*, tobogganing (winter), touch football, trampolining, trekking, tubing, tug-o-war, volleyball, wake boarding, walking, walking up Sydney Harbour Bridge, water polo, waterskiing, wheelchair basketball, windsurfing (on a lake)*. * no Personal Liability cover** no Personal Liability / offshore rescue cover

You are NOT covered for any other Sports and Activities, unless declared to and agreed by us on your insurance schedule and an additional premium paid if required.

E. WORKING OVERSEAS. You are not covered for manual work overseas unless specified on your insurance schedule. In any event, no cover is provided for Section 12, Personal Liability whilst working overseas.

F. DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL FACTS. It is a condition of this insurance that all material facts have been disclosed to us. Failure to do so may invalidate this insurance. A material fact is any fact, medical or otherwise, which poses an increase in risk to us and is likely to influence us in the assessment, acceptance or continuance of your insurance.

G. APPLICABLE LAW. Both we and you are entitled to choose the law applicable to the insurance policy. We propose English Law and in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, English Law will apply.

H. RENEWAL OF ANNUAL POLICIES. Renewal of the insurance policy shall be at our sole option and discretion.  

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MEDICAL CONDITIONS

We will not pay for any claim arising directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition (see Definitions Applicable to the Whole Policy) suffered by you, unless declared to us, agreed by us on your insurance schedule and additional premium paid if required.

You must notify us immediately you become aware of any change regarding your health. We will not pay additional costs incurred following any change in medical condition, unless this has been declared to and accepted by us in writing. (This means that if you make further payments e.g. book another trip or pay the final balance of a trip previously booked, or if there is an increase in the cancellation charges due to you not contacting us immediately, we are not liable for these additional costs).

We will notify you in writing of any amendments to your policy conditions and advise you of any additional premium that may be required. In certain cases we may be unable to offer cover. We reserve the right not to extend this insurance. We cannot extend cover for claims relating to your travelling companion, an immediate relative or close business associate or a person with whom you have arranged to stay. Please refer to Section 1, Cancellation and Section 2, Curtailment for full terms and conditions.

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EXCLUSIONS APPLICABLE TO THE WHOLE POLICY

You are not covered for anything caused as a consequence of the following unless an endorsement has been issued by us:

1. any medical condition of you or anyone upon whom the trip depends;
2. any claim which arises directly or indirectly from depression, stress, anxiety or mental disorder;
3. suicide, attempted suicide, self inflicted injury, alcohol or drug abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, solvent abuse, wilful exposure to exceptional risk (unless you are trying to save someone’s life);
4. sexually transmitted diseases;
5. HIV or a related illness including AIDS and/or any mutant derivative thereof, however caused;
6. the crewing of a vessel or taking part in expeditions;
7. manual work of any kind;
8. travelling on motorcycles over 125cc;
9. professional or organised sports (except those listed under General Conditions D), winter sports, racing, speed or endurance tests or dangerous pursuits;
10. sports and activities not described in General Conditions D, page 4 or declared to and agreed by us and an additional premium paid if required;
11. bankruptcy/liquidation of a tour operator, travel agent or transport company;
12. consequential loss of any kind (e.g. loss of earnings);
13. any costs incurred on behalf of other party members who are not specified on the insurance schedule;
14. any costs recoverable from another source;
15. any payment which you would normally have made during your travels, if no claim had arisen;
16. travelling to a specific area against the advice issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office;
17. failure to comply with laws applicable to the country in which you are travelling;
18. air travel (other than as a fare-paying passenger on a regular scheduled airline or licensed charter aircraft);
19. a. ionising radiation or radioactive contamination from nuclear fuel or nuclear waste or any risk from nuclear equipment. b. the radioactive toxic explosive or other hazardous properties of any explosive nuclear assembly or nuclear component thereof;
20. any consequence whether direct or indirect of war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), any acts of terrorism*, civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, blockade, military or usurped power;
21. any criminal or illegal act committed by you or your travelling companion;
22. any loss which has not been conclusively proven and the amount claimed substantiated;
23. any claim covered by an employer’s insurance for the benefit of an employee.

*Terrorism is covered under Section 3: Emergency Medical Expenses/Repatriation, Section 4: Additional Hospital Benefit and Section 6: Personal Accident, but not as the sole result of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction however these may be distributed or combined.

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SECTION 1 - CANCELLATION

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for travel and pre-booked accommodation cancellation costs relating only to those people specified on the insurance schedule. (If travel arrangements were paid for by Air Miles or by any other form of redeemable vouchers, reimbursement will be the reinstatement of the Air Miles or redeemable vouchers to their original account. If reinstatement is not possible, we will reimburse the lowest advertised fare by the airline for the flight in question). Cancellation must be necessary and unavoidable and not as a result of disinclination to undertake your planned trip. Cover is only provided due to a cause listed below occurring during the period of insurance:

1. accidental injury, serious illness, death or being subject to quarantine of you, any person with whom you are intending to travel or stay, an immediate relative of yours or of any person with whom you intend to travel or a close business associate of yours;
2. you or your travelling companion discovering that you/they are pregnant after the date of issue of this policy or the date the trip was booked (whichever was later), if the booked return date is within 12 weeks (16 weeks for a multiple birth) of the expected date of delivery, or if complications with the pregnancy occur prior to the last 12 weeks (16 weeks for a multiple birth), provided there have been no complications with any previous pregnancy;
3. you being called for jury service, attending court as a witness (but not as an expert witness or where your employment would normally require you to attend court);
4. you or any person with whom you have arranged to travel being made redundant where you/they have been employed for two continuous years with the same employer at the time of being made redundant and are under the normal retirement age for someone holding that position;
5. your home or place of business being made uninhabitable, within 14 days prior to the date of travel, or the police asking to see you after a theft from your home which occurred within 14 days of travel;
6. your posting overseas or emergency and unavoidable duty if you are a member of the medical or nursing professions, police, fire or ambulance services;
7. prevention of travel by British Government restriction;
8. abandonment of your trip as a result of more than 24 hours travel delay on your outward flight, sea crossing, coach or train departure from your country of residence (see Section 5, Travel Delay and Abandonment).Replacement Business Colleague: Provided cancellation is due to a cause listed above and the sole purpose of the trip was for carrying out your business, you are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for the cost of a replacement business colleague.

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50 (except for deposit only claims where the excess is £20 per insured);
2. medically related claims where a certificate has not been obtained from a medical practitioner, confirming that cancellation of the trip is necessary on medical grounds;
3. any claim arising directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition (see Definitions Applicable to the Whole Policy) suffered by you, unless declared to us, agreed by us on your insurance schedule and additional premium paid if required; 
4. medically related claims as a result of your travelling companion, an immediate relative or close business associate of you or the person with whom you have arranged to stay on the trip, having suffered a condition or for which they have received medication, medical advice or treatment within six months prior to the date this policy was issued or the date the trip was booked (whichever is later);
5. any claim: i) where at the time of taking out this insurance, the person whose condition gives rise to the claim is an in-patient in (or awaiting admission or booked to be admitted to) a hospital, hospice or nursing home;  ii) where at the departure date, you or your travel companion are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or travelling for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment;
6. additional cancellation costs incurred as a result of not immediately telling the travel agent, tour operator or provider of transport or accommodation that you need to cancel the trip. We will only pay the cancellation charges that would have applied at the time you knew it was necessary to cancel your trip, if a valid claim exists;
7. any costs incurred on behalf of other party members who are not specified on the insurance schedule;
8. any costs recoverable from another source (e.g. airport taxes);
9. any claim as a consequence of prohibitive regulations of the Government of any country;
10. any claim arising where you have not been able to receive the necessary inoculations or vaccinations or obtain necessary visas for any reason whatsoever;  
11. any claim arising from any circumstances known about at the date of booking the trip or the date the policy was issued, which could reasonably have been expected to give rise to the cancellation of the trip;
12. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 2 – CURTAILMENT

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for:

1. the value of the portion of your travel and pre-booked accommodation expenses, calculated from the date of your return to your home, which have not been used and which were paid for before your departure from your country of residence.
2. reasonable additional travelling expenses (on the same basis as your original booking) authorised by us and incurred by you for returning to your home earlier than planned due to a cause listed below:

a. accidental injury to or serious illness or death of you, any person with whom you intend to travel, an immediate relative of yours or of the person with whom you intend to travel or a close business associate;

b. complications with the pregnancy of you or your travelling companion occurring prior to the last 12 weeks (16 weeks for a multiple birth) of the expected date of delivery, provided there have been no complications with this or any previous pregnancy;

c. your home or place of business being made uninhabitable or the police asking to see you after a theft from your home.

Replacement Business Colleague: Provided curtailment is due to a cause listed above and the sole purpose of the trip is for carrying out your business, you are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for additional travel and accommodation costs incurred for a business colleague to replace you.

Conditions

1. You must contact the Assistance Service for assistance/advice if you need to cut short your trip for an insured reason.
2. You must use or revalidate your original ticket for your early return. If this is not possible you must provide evidence that additional costs were necessary. Any refunds due on unused original tickets will be deducted from your claim. If you do not have an original return ticket, you will not be reimbursed for costs incurred for your early return.
3. If you require the Assistance Service to pay for arrangements, they may first need to contact the relevant medical practitioner to confirm your claim falls within the terms of your cover.
4. If you make your own arrangements you must supply all necessary documentation to substantiate that your claim falls within the terms of cover.
5. This policy does not provide compensation for loss of enjoyment.

24 hour Assistance Service

Telephone Number: +44 (0) 870 894 0005 or +44 (0) 208 256 6061

Fax Number: +44 (0) 870 890 3872 or +44 (0) 208 256 6063

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50;
2. claims that are not confirmed as medically necessary by the Assistance Service, and where a medical certificate has not been obtained from the attending medical practitioner confirming the necessity to curtail;
3. any claim arising directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition (see Definitions Applicable to the Whole of the Policy) suffered by you, unless declared to us, agreed by us on your insurance schedule and additional premium paid if required; 
4. medically related claims as a result of your travelling companion, an immediate relative or close business associate of you or the person with whom you have arranged to stay on the trip, having suffered a condition or for which they have received medication, medical advice or treatment within six months prior to the date this policy was issued or the date the trip was booked (whichever is later);
5. additional travelling expenses incurred which are not authorised by the Assistance Service;
6. unused prepaid travel tickets where repatriation has been arranged by you or the Assistance Service;
7. any claim:

a. where at the time of taking out this insurance, the person whose condition gives rise to the claim is an in-patient in (or awaiting admission or booked to be admitted to) a hospital, hospice or nursing home;

b. where at the departure date, you or your travelling companion are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or travelling for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment;

8. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 3 – EMERGENCY MEDICAL EXPENSES / REPATRIATION

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for costs incurred outside your country of residence for:

1. Reasonable emergency medical treatment (including necessary physiotherapy but only when authorised by the Assistance Service);
2. emergency dental treatment (for pain relief only), limited to £200;
3. necessary additional travelling expenses (on the same basis as your original booking) and reasonable and necessary additional accommodation expenses (bed and breakfast only). This includes those of one relative or travel companion if you have to be accompanied home on medical advice or on compassionate grounds or if you are a child and require an escort home (in the event that they have applied for and received written authorisation from the assistance service);
4. repatriation to your home by medically appropriate means, as determined by the Assistance Service;
5. in the event of your death: reasonable costs for the transport of your body or ashes to your country of residence (the cost of burial or cremation is not included); or local funeral expenses abroad, limited to £1,000.
6. complications with pregnancy occurring prior to the last 12 weeks (16 weeks for a multiple birth) of the expected date of delivery, provided you have not had any complications with this or any previous pregnancy).

Conditions

1. You must contact the Assistance Service immediately should you be admitted to hospital or require on-going out-patient treatment overseas.
2. All treatment or expenses must be authorised by the Assistance Service.
3. You must maintain contact with the Assistance Service until your return to your country of residence or until you no longer require treatment or assistance.
4. If you are travelling to a country in the European Union, you must take with you an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). We will waive the policy excess under this Section if you use the EHIC or another reciprocal health agreement to reduce the amount of your claim.
5. If you require medical treatment in Australia, you must register with Medicare via their local office. (Any treatment not available under Medicare must be authorised by the Assistance Service).
6. In the event of repatriation, any value remaining in unused original return travel tickets which is recoverable shall be deducted from the amount of the claim.
7. We reserve the right to:

a. repatriate you when, in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Assistance Service, you are fit to travel;

b. avoid further liability in the event that you refuse repatriation when, in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Assistance Service, you are fit to travel;

c. transfer you to the hospital, clinic or location of our choice when, in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Assistance Service, you are fit to be transferred.

24 hour Assistance Service

Tel no: +44 (0) 870 894 0005 or +44 (0) 208 256 6061

Fax no: +44 (0) 870 890 3872 or +44 (0) 208 256 6063

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50;
2. any medical or dental treatment costs incurred in the United Kingdom or your country of residence;
3. any transport or accommodation costs incurred in the United Kingdom or your country of residence, unless authorised by the Assistance Service;
4. any costs covered under a reciprocal health arrangement (e.g. EHIC within EU countries, reciprocal cover in Austria, Channel Islands, Eire and New Zealand, Medicare in Australia);
5. any costs recoverable from another source; (e.g. where another insurance may cover the same loss);
6. medical costs relating to pregnancy, other than complications of pregnancy, provided you have not had any complications with this or any previous pregnancy;
7. any claim where at the time of taking out this insurance, the person whose condition gives rise to the claim is an in-patient in (or awaiting admission or booked to be admitted to) a hospital, hospice or nursing home;
8. any claim where at the departure date, you or your travel companion are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or travelling for the purposes of obtaining medical treatment;
9. any claim arising directly or indirectly as a result of a medical condition (see Definitions Applicable to the Whole Policy) suffered by you, unless declared to us, agreed by us on your insurance schedule and additional premium paid if required;any claim arising directly or indirectly as a result of a change regarding your health (including injury and pregnancy: please refer to separate terms and conditions relating to pregnancy, as per Covered, point no.6) occurring before the start of your trip, which has not been declared to and accepted by us in writing;
10. any claim arising directly or indirectly as a result of a change regarding your health (including injury and complications in pregnancy) occurring before the start of your trip, which has not been declared to and accepted by us in writing; any costs for surgery or medical treatment which, in the opinion of the Assistance Service, can reasonably be delayed until your return to your country of residence;
11. any costs for medication and/or treatment which, at the time of departure, is known to be required or continued outside your country of residence;
12. the cost of any routine or elective (non-emergency) care or treatment, including specialist review or referral, investigations, treatment or surgery;
13. claims that are not confirmed as medically necessary by the Assistance Service;
14. additional hospital costs arising from single or private room accommodation, unless medically necessary;
15. further costs you incur if we wish to bring you home early but you refuse (where in the opinion of the treating doctor and the Assistance Service you are fit to travel);
16. travelling on motorcycles over 125cc (unless an endorsement has been issued by us);
17. terrorism, only as the sole result of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction however these may be distributed or combined;
18. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 4 - ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL BENEFIT

This benefit payment contributes towards miscellaneous expenses incurred whilst you are an in-patient (e.g. taxi fares and telephone calls). It does not provide compensation for loss of holiday/enjoyment.

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for:

1. payment of £25 for each complete 24 hours you spend in hospital as a result of you being admitted as an in-patient to a registered hospital. This is in addition to any medical expenses incurred under Section 3, Emergency Medical Expenses. Conditions 1. This benefit is payable only if the hospital admission has been covered under the terms of Section 3, Emergency Medical Expenses.
2. In the event of a claim you must provide documentation confirming the date and time of admission and discharge.

Not Covered

1. terrorism, only as the sole result of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction however these may be distributed or combined;
2. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Wole Policy”.

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SECTION 5 – TRAVEL DELAY AND ABANDONMENT

This section does not apply to trips within your country of residence.

Covered

1. In the event of your outward or return flight, sea crossing, coach or train departure to or from your country of residence being delayed for more than 12 hours beyond the intended departure time (as specified on your travel ticket) as a result of:

a. adverse weather conditions;

b. mechanical breakdown or technical fault of the aircraft, coach, train or sea vessel;

c. strike, industrial action or security alert (provided that when this policy was issued or the trip was booked, whichever was later, no such action had already been declared and therefore there was no reasonable expectation that this would affect your trip);

we will pay the amount specified on your policy schedule per insured person for each complete 12 hours you are delayed up to the maximum limit stated on your policy schedule. If you incur more than 24 hours delay on your outward flight, sea crossing, coach or train departure from your country of residence, you may abandon your trip and claim under Section 1, Cancellation (less the excess);

2. If you abandon your trip as a result of your vehicle being involved in an accident or mechanical breakdown en route to your departure point from your country of residence, rendering it impossible for you to undertake your planned itinerary, we will pay up to the limit as specified on your policy schedule under Section 1, Cancellation, less the excess.

Conditions

1. In the event of a claim due to delayed public transport you must provide documentation from the transport company, confirming the period of and the reason for the delay.In the event of a claim due to vehicle breakdown, you must provide a police or roadside assistance report.

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50 if you abandon your trip;
2. where you have not checked in, allowing sufficient time, for your outward or return journey;
3. any claims arising from withdrawal from service temporarily or otherwise of the aircraft, coach, train or sea vessel on the orders or recommendation of the Civil Aviation Authority or a Port Authority or similar body in any country;
4. internal flights which do not form part of your outbound or inbound journey to/from your country of residence;
5. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 6 – PERSONAL ACCIDENT

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for benefits, which will be paid to you or your legal representative, if you sustain bodily injury caused by an accident and at the end of 12 months of the occurrence of that accident, it is the sole cause of:

1. your death;
2. the physical loss of or permanent and total loss of use of one or more limbs at or above the wrist or ankle;
3. the complete and irrecoverable loss of sight in one or both eyes;
4. permanent total disablement which prevents you from attending to any business or occupation in any capacity for a period of 12 months and which, in the opinion of our medical and/or vocational advisors, will not improve;

Conditions

1. Points 2, 3 and 4 above may be subject to the Continental Scale of Benefits (available on request);
2. if you are aged under 16 or over 70 at the time of the accident, the death benefit will be limited to funeral and other reasonable costs up to £3,000 and the permanent total disablement benefit will not apply;
3. The permanent total disablement benefit is limited to 50% if you were not employed for six months prior to the departure date of the trip in which the accident occurred;
4. No benefits shall be paid for more than one loss suffered;
5. You must agree to examination by our medical and/or vocational advisors.

Not Covered

1. any claims caused as a consequence of:

a. disease or any physical defect or illness;

b. an injury which existed prior to the beginning of the trip/purchase of the policy;

2. terrorism, only as the sole result of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction however these may be distributed or combined; 
3. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 7 – MISSED DEPARTURE

This section does not apply to trips within your country of residence.

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for necessary hotel and travelling expenses (not including food, drink and telephone expenses) incurred in reaching your booked destination, if you arrive too late to commence your booked trip from or to your country of residence as a result of: 

1. the vehicle in which you are travelling being involved in an accident or breakdown or you being delayed as a result of a major accident on a motorway;
2. the public transport used being delayed.

Conditions

1. In the event of a claim due to vehicle breakdown or a road accident, you must provide a police or roadside assistance report.
2. In the event of a claim due to delayed public transport you must provide documentation from the transport company, confirming the period of and the reason for the delay.

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50;
2. if sufficient time has not been allowed for your journey in order to meet the check-in time specified by the transport providers or agent;
3. you are not proceeding directly to the departure point;
4. any costs claimed under Section 5, Travel Delay and Abandonment, which relate to the same trip;
5. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 8 – BAGGAGE

(THIS SECTION APPLIES WHEN THE APPROPRIATE PREMIUM HAS BEEN PAID AND COVER IS SPECIFIED ON YOUR POLICY SCHEDULE)

Covered

A: PERSONAL BAGGAGE

You are covered up to the amounts specified on your policy schedule for the value of or repair to any of your own personal baggage (not hired, loaned or entrusted to you), which is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed (after making proper allowance for wear and tear and depreciation), limited to:

1. the Single Item Limit specified on your policy schedule for any one item, pair or set of items;
2. the Valuables Limit specified on your policy schedule for all valuables in total;
3. the limit specified on your policy schedule for personal baggage on the beach;

The maximum payment for eyeglasses/contact lenses (including sunglasses) shall be £50.

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for the value of any specified business equipment (used for the sole purpose of carrying out your business) which is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.

B: DELAYED BAGGAGE

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for the cost of buying emergency necessities if your personal baggage is delayed in reaching you on your outward journey for at least 12 hours and you have a written report from the carrier (e.g. airline, shipping company etc.) or tour representative. Receipts will be required in the event of a claim.

Conditions

1. Any amount we pay you under B. (Delayed Baggage) will be deducted from the final claim settlement if your personal baggage is permanently lost.
2. You must obtain written proof of the incident from the police, your accommodation management, tour operator or carrier, within 24 hours of the discovery in the event of loss, burglary or theft of the personal baggage. Failure to do so may result in your claim being turned down.
3. In the event of a claim for damaged items, proof of the damage must be supplied.
4. In the event of a claim for a pair or set of items, we shall be liable only for the value of that part of the pair or set which is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
5. If the repair cost is more than the value of an item, we will assess the claim as if the item has been lost.

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50;
2. any item, pair or set of items with a value of over £50, if an original receipt, valuation report or other acceptable proof of ownership and value cannot be supplied to support your claim. The total amount payable for all such items will be £250;
3. if you do not exercise reasonable care for the safety and supervision of your property;
4. personal baggage left unattended by you, unless located in locked accommodation and where an appropriately sized safety deposit box was not available for use by you;
5. personal baggage left in the custody of a person who does not have an official responsibility for the safekeeping of the property;
6. personal baggage stolen from an unattended vehicle:

a. unless it was in the locked glove compartment or locked rear boot or luggage area of the vehicle and is covered so as not to be visible from the outside of the vehicle;

b. if there is no visible evidence of forcible and violent entry;

c. left for any period between the hours of 8pm and 8am (other than motor homes);

7. valuables left in a motor vehicle (other than motor homes, provided the valuables are stored out of view);
8. valuables within checked-in luggage or in luggage compartments/racks not immediately adjacent to you on any form of public transport (other than hand luggage that stays with you at all times);
9. damage to personal baggage whilst in the custody of an airline;
10. if your personal baggage is lost or delayed in transit and you do not:

a. notify the carrier (i.e. airline, shipping company etc) immediately and obtain a written carrier’s report (or Property Irregularity Report in the case of an airline); or

b. follow up in writing within 7 days to obtain a written carrier’s report (or Property Irregularity Report in the case of an airline) if you are unable to obtain one immediately;

11. loss, destruction, damage or theft of the following property:

a. corneal lenses, hearing aids and dentures;

b. glass, china, pictures, musical instruments, antiques and precious stones;

c. pedal cycles, dinghies, boats and/or ancillary equipment, vehicles or vehicle accessories (other than wheelchairs and pushchairs);

d. tools of trade;

e. perishable items e.g. food;

12. loss, destruction, damage or theft due to:

a. confiscation or detention by Customs or other officials or authorities;

b. wear and tear, process of cleaning, denting or scratching, staining, moth or vermin;

c. transportation by any postal service;

13. electrical or mechanical breakdown or manufacturing fault;
14. breakage of fragile or brittle articles being transported by a carrier, unless the breakage is due to fire or other accident to the vessel, aircraft or vehicle in which they are being carried;
15. any property more specifically insured or recoverable under any other source. Any reimbursement received will be deducted from the amount of your claim under this section;
16. stamps, documents, deeds, samples or merchandise, manuscripts or securities of any kind;
17. winter sports equipment (unless the appropriate premium has been paid and is shown on your insurance schedule, which covers you under a separate section of the policy), or additional sports equipment (unless the appropriate premium has been paid and this is shown on your insurance schedule);
18. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.

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SECTION 9 – CASH AND DOCUMENTS

(THIS SECTION APPLIES WHEN THE APPROPRIATE PREMIUM HAS BEEN PAID AND COVER IS SPECIFIED ON YOUR POLICY SCHEDULE)

Covered

You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for accidental loss or theft of your own cash and/or documents. Cash is only covered whilst being carried on your person or left in a locked safety deposit box. Cash is limited to the amount specified on your policy schedule, unless you are under 16 years of age, in which case the maximum payable is £50.

Replacement business documents: You are covered up to the amount specified on your policy schedule for the cost of replacement business documents (provided the documents are vital to the carrying out of business) which are accidentally lost, stolen or damaged.

Conditions

1. In the event of a claim for loss of cash you must provide evidence of the initial withdrawal of the cash and also evidence of how you coped financially immediately after the loss (e.g. currency exchange/withdrawal slips, bank/credit card statements).

Not Covered

1. the policy excess of £50 (except for cash only claims, where the excess is £20);
2. if you do not exercise reasonable care in protecting your cash and documents against loss, theft or damage;
3. documents left unattended by you, unless located in locked accommodation and where an appropriately sized safety deposit box was not available for use by you;
4. documents left in the custody of a person who does not have an official responsibility for the safekeeping of the property;
5. documents stolen from an unattended vehicle:

   a. unless they were in the locked glove compartment or locked rear boot or luggage area of the vehicle and were covered so as not to be visible from the outside of the vehicle;
   b. if there is no visible evidence of forcible and violent entry;
   c. left for any period between the hours of 8pm and 8am (other than motor homes);

6. if you do not obtain a written police report within 24 hours of the discovery in the event of loss, burglary or theft of cash and/or documents;
7. any shortages due to error, omission or depreciation in value;
8. any costs claimed under Section 10, Loss of Passport/Driving Licence Expenses;
9. anything listed in “Exclusions Applicable to the Whole Policy”.