Party Animals & Brits Abroad

In the animal kingdom there are no rules about being drunk and disorderly in public.  Humans, however, are held to a higher standard. 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) recently released the ‘British Behaviour Abroad’ report for the past year.  It showed, yet again, that many British tourists are still doing silly things and getting themselves into unnecessary and preventable trouble abroad.

Intoxication is just of of the issues, but one of the most common.  Drinking and/or drug use often results in arrest and jail time, costly accidents and hospitalisations – and potentially the denial of intoxication-related travel insurance claims! 

Many countries have a low tolerance for drunkenness and behaviour they consider offensive or disrespectful (which in Greece could be something as seemingly innocent as ‘mooning’).  With all the travel information available there really is no excuse for claiming ignorance of local laws and customs. 

The FCO travel advice website is a must-read before going abroad.  It should be up there on your holiday ‘to do’ list along with picking out your destination and hotel, sorting out travel money, checking passport validity and visas, and choosing travel insurance.

Lost and stolen passports present another huge problem that the FCO has to deal with.  Alcohol and drug-related problems often result in arrest and detention as well as costly medical bills and repatriation expenses.  Any of these holiday-wrecking problems could be financially crippling for those (or the families of those) who neglect to take out travel insurance – or have inadequate insurance for their needs and activities. 

Many Brits, and travellers in general, appear to be under the impression that if they get in trouble when overseas their consulate or embassy will come to the rescue and take care of the problems.  Although they are there to assist their citizens during difficulties, it is not their job to bail people out of jail for drunkenness, drugs or bad behaviour,or provide funds to repatriate injured (or deceased) holidaymakers by air ambulance.  It is the innocent families at home who often end up having to spend their lifesavings to cover the expenses.

Many travellers are still unaware that getting into trouble or injured overseas while intoxicated could invalidate any related travel insurance claims.  It’s not that anyone is trying to spoil your holiday fun, but travel insurance is not a license to act irresponsibly.   Don’t risk your health, your wallet, or the lifesavings of your family by taking risks.  The small cost of a travel insurance policy probably amounts to not much more than a round of fancy cocktails at your destination or cappuccinos and snacks at an airport cafe!

For travel within the European Economic Area British nationals should also obtain the (FREE!) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).  Although it is not a substitute for travel insurance the EHIC should provide for emergency medical care in a state-run hospital.  (Be warned - the EHIC does not cover air ambulance fees if you should need to be repatriated).

Consider the potential costs if something should go wrong on your holiday and then see how affordable travel insurance can be here. 

For Backpackers and those travelling light - why pay for cover you probably don’t need… A Backpacker policy should provide cover for most of the expensive and important issues such as emergency medical care, repatriation, legal costs and liability, etc.  (Polices available from just 20p per day)

Please read the FCO report here.