Travel with a peace of mind

Singapore - Having adequate tavel insurance is vital when overseas because a host of unforeseen situations can arise, such as flight delays or loss of your luggage.  Also overseas medical expenses can be huge and should a serious injury arise during the trip, you then need not fret about hefty medical bills.

I remember recently on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne on Qantas, and my baggage was delayed for 12 hrs - fortunately I had travel insurance and it was reimbursed.   But the trouble of waiting anxiously for the baggage to arrival after numerous promises by Qantas that it will be 2hrs, 3hrs and it will be arriving soon...


It is affordable to buy travel insurance in Singapore but travellers should shop around to find a policy that meets your need. 

Checklist:
1.   Don't wait until the last minue.   Buy your travel insurance early, preferably right after booking the trip.

2.  Buy what you need.   It is important to ensure that the benefits of the plan are adequate to meet your needs, with better benefits offered at a higher permiums.    If your insurance does not cover taking part in certain hazardous activities such as mountaineering, winter sports and underwater activities - get appropriate coverage.

3.  Single trip or annual trip.  If you travel alot, an annual trip policy may be the best value.   Also, a single trip usually covers about 6 months or less, while any trip taken using an annual plan will not be covered if it exceeds about 3 months.

4.  Note the definition of 'child'.  Family policies cover your children as well, but the definition of children may differ across insurers. 

5.  Automatic extension of coverage.  With the emergence of the H1N1 flu virus and recent spate of natural disasters, policy holders can get stuck overseas for much longer than intended owing to transport delays or from being quarantined.  Therefore, it is desirable that a policyholder 's travel insurer is wlling to extend teh period of coverage automatically, in certain circumstances, without extra premiums.

6.  Check what is not included.  A cheap travel insurance policy may seem like a good bargain, but make sure you go through the policy details carefully to ensure that important coverage is not omitted.

7.  Premium discount.   If you are travelling in a group, you my want to consider consolidating the purchases to be entitled to some cost-savings.

8.   Keep your receipts and paperwork.  If you should have to file a claim, receipts and documentation will make the process much easier and more successful.

9.  Familiarise yourself with the claims process.  if you understand the process, it is very easy to file a travel insurance claim.

10.  Emergency assistance phone number.  It is common for travel insurance policies to include worldwide 24-hr emergency assistance providing various emergency services around the clock.  Save the emergency assistance contact number and your policy number in your mobile phone so you do not have to scramble to look fro that insurance certificate in the event of an emergency.

I also wrote a similiar article - http://countrytravel.blogspot.com/2007/05/travel-health-insurance-dont-leave-home.html

Ref: The Sunday Times Dec, 6 2009

Medicines for a Happy Trip...

Singapore - Travel light but don't leave home without packing essential medical supplies. Always take note of problems that you might encounter from the climate, the altitude, the disease status that requires vaccination. Always plan for every trip.

I always packed medication and it is always in my luggage never need to take it out. Only changed when it is nearing expiration date. When you are a frequent traveller it is always important to check your destination climate and disease status. For vaccinations requirement, you can check my other link.

Mosquitos is a menance even in Singapore too. Traveling within South East Asia, I always need to be aware of malaria, dengue and other mosquitos disease outbreaks.

My medical kit:
Paracetamol (headaches and pain)
Antihistimines (for allergy reactions or colds)
Hydrocortisone cream (insect bites)
Acidophilus (Pro-Biotic)
Mask and thermometer.

Blood Clots on long-haul trips

A WHO study says the risk of developing deep vein thombosis doubles after 4 hours of travel including car and train journeys, estimating that one in 6,000 long-haul passengers is at risk.

Who are at risk? Tall people who legs are jammed in economy class and the very short whose feet do not touch the ground are particularly vulnerable to potentially dangerous blood clots linked to immbobility during travel. Also the obese, women on birth control pills and those with blood clothing disorders are also more susceptible, as are frequent travellers and those who take very long journeys.

The risk is immobility - without regular muscle contractions, blood starts to pool in the legs and can create conditions for a clot, or thrombus, to develop in deep veins. Thrombosis can be symptom-free to trigger cramps, soreness and swelling in affected areas. It is most dangerous in cases where blood clots travel through the body to the lung, blocking blood flow. Such pulmonary embolism, characterised by chest pain and breathing difficulties, can be fatal is untreated.

Once I was on a plane to San Francisco and the guy sitting at the window seat just slept and not move throughout the journey from Singapore to Seoul and onwards to San Francisco. I like the aisle seat because I can stretch my legs and move around without disturbing anybody.

To prevent, health experts advised travellers to exercise their calf muscles with up and down movements of the feet and ankle joints, and leave their seats for a few minutes when possible. They also caution air travellers against taking sleeping pills or drinking too much alcohol. People should also avoid wearing tight clothing that can constrain circulation.

Reference: The Straits Times, July 11 2007

Sickness Free Business Travel

One of my joys in business travelling is eating different cuisines, most of the time cooked differently in style and taste. Unfortunately, business traveling also has it perils – diseases and food poisoning are the main causes. To avoid it, I need to be well prepare for the journey ahead and not hastily try every food and drink that is placed in front of me. Before I embark on any journey, I normally check my government health site about any health warnings that I need to be aware of, the health standards and requirements in the country of my destination.

India

In was in 1994, my first trip to Mumbai and Bangalore, with the limited knowledge from friends and relatives I was aprehensive about this trip and decided to be extra careful. I had the necessary jabs - Typhoid and Flu vacination and was careful of what I ate and drink, making sure the food was always piping hot and the drinks are void of ice. Why ice? because ice is made from the tap water. On a hot day in Mumbai, when your mind badly needed a cold ice Coke, your stomach says "Coke with no ice, please". I felt terribly ill on the day before my departure and soon realise that a simple action of brushing my teeth and gurgling with tap water can be the cause. I should have used bottle water to brush my teeth. Though my first trip to India was 'painful' – the hospitality from my business partner was overwhelming. Till today, no matter how prepared I am - India is the only country that I always fall sick either there or back home in Singapore.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is not a trival matter for business travellers like myself, who routinely eat food prepared by strangers in strange places, and increasingly venturing further to new destinations.
Food poisoning, especially mild cases, if often shrugged off as a stomach virus, a touch of the flu or indigestion. But not all symptoms associated with food poisoning are caused by toxic food or by food handlers’ poor sanitation – some causes of commonly occurring diarrhea are caused basically by “foreign bacteria” that your body simply may not be used to.”

Food-borne illnesses can be caused by bacteria and viruses. But basically, if you get a dose of food poisoning of any type (and there are dozens), the culprit is often likely to be an unsanitary food handler – or even a fellow diner, especially at one of those sumptuous buffets so familiar to business travelers attending conventions, trade shows and conferences.

In exotic areas, a well-cooked piping hot piece of chicken from a roadside stall might sometimes be a safer bet than a piece of fresh fruit or a salad at a fine restaurant.

A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it".

Whether travelling on business or vacation - the trip can be marred by just one member falling sick, so it is important to take the following vaccinations ranking with importance:-

Hepatitis A and B
Vacciniation against Hepatitis A and B is a precaution to take when travelling to some Asian countries, where the level of food-handling hygiene may be compromised. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver in which the most distinct characteristic is yellowing of the eyes adn skin, usually preceded by tiredness, high fever and pain in the upper right abdomen. Once striken, the patient may suffer from fatigue, jaundice and loss of appetitie. These symptoms can linger for up to nine months, causing untold anxiety because recuperation will be an inevitable cause for absenteeism from work.

Hepatitis A is food and water borne. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contaminated bodily fluids such as blood transfusions and sexual contact. Both Hepatitis A and B can cause liver disease. A simple blood test can determine whether your family needs to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A or B, particularly if you are going to countries that have a high incidence of hepatitis B. There is also a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B for those who want double protection. All children is Singapore are vaccinated against Hepatitis B from birth. Those vaccinated will retain immunity for between five and ten years.

Flu jab
Influenza, or flu is one of the most common infections throughout the year in Singapore. The infection peaks from May to July and November to January. This coincides with the school vacation and peak travel periods in Singapore. Vaccination will protect the traveller travelling to south temperate regions like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa during May to July, and northern temperate regions around November to February.

The Flu virus attacks the lungs and can spread easily. For some, it can be very serious, even fatal. Young children, the elderly, or people who already have health problems are among those likely to suffer the worst effects. Sometimes the flu is mistaken for a cold, because some of the symptoms are the same. Runny nose, sore throat and a cough are common to both. Both flu is usually worse, resulting in body aches, headache and fever. Symptoms of flu can last longer than those of a cold, sometimes for weeks.

Flu is a highly infectious illness, which spreads very rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus. The virus circulates every winter, usually over a period of a few weeks, so that a lot of people get ill around the same time. The flu jab is the best protection against the virus. The flu virus changes, so you need to have a flu jab every year to make sure that you are protected against the latest strain of the virus. Another good alternative is Tamiflu but currently with the Bird Flu scare, this anti-flu viral tabs is in scarcity. Governments around the world are stocking up millions of Tamiflu tabs.

Typhoid
You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where hand washing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage. Typhoid fever can be prevented and can usually be treated with antibiotics. It may surprise you, but watching what you eat and drink when you travel is as important as being vaccinated. Persons with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40° C). They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. The only way to know for sure if an illness is typhoid fever is to have samples of stool or blood tested for the presence of S. Typhi.

Typhoid jab last for 3 years.

It is still wise to be careful.

• If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it to a rolling boil for 1 minute before you drink it. Bottled carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water.
• Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have been made with contaminated water.
• Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still hot and steaming. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.
• Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very hard to wash well. When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.)
• Do not eat the peelings. Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get sick from food bought from street vendors.

Only 2 vaccines have been designated as compulsory. These are immunisation against Meningitis, which is required for all who make the yearly Haj pilgrimage, and Yellow Fever , which is endemic in parts of South America and Africa (It would also be advisable to be protected against Japanese Encephalities).

Travel Health Insurance - don't leave home without it?

Many people make trips to other countries all the time and one of the most important thing to take into consideration is "Are you covered when you are overseas?". Since I make lots of trips within in a year - I took up an annual travel insurance which is much cheaper. When my family travels with me - I get for them a single trip travel insurance which will cover them for the duration of the trip.

Think about if something happens...

• you do not have enough money to pay for medical bills
• your flight gets cancelled
• your tour agent just declared bankruptcy
• you became too sick to travel
• You missed your flight connection due to flight delays
• your personal belongings just got stolen

Have I convinced you?....read on. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Annual or Single Trip Travel Insurance?
Single-trip travel insurance covers you for one specific holiday. Buying annual travel insurance covers you for several trips over the course of the year and can offer large savings in comparison to booking single-trip insurance every time you travel.

Annual travel insurance also offers a convenience factor - you only have to do it once for the year rather than messing around with travel insurance each time – especially useful for those who tend to travel frequently or are forgetful. My advise is to read the fine print of any policy before you purchase your selected travel insurance.

Tour operator insurance or Travel Insurance company?
My advise is best NOT to buy your travel insurance from your tour operator.

• Most travel insurance policies offered by the operator are less flexible to your individual needs
• Provide a lower amount of coverage
• May only cover a portion of the trip
• Tour coverage will only pay for what you own private health insurance does not cover
• May duplicate coverage you already have
• The tour operator goes bankrupt and you would lose both your trip and the premium
• Many travel agents are not fully knowledgeable when it comes to understanding the details of various travel insurance policies and may overlook something that could be important to you or your family.

Travel insurance policy comprehensive should consist of:-

• All medical and accidental dental expenses
• Medical expenses in Singapore for continued care from injuries sustained overseas
• Emergency Medical Evacuation Automatic extension of policy period (usually up to 30 days)
• Travel cancellation or postponement due to serious sickness or compulsory quarantine
• Loss of travel deposit due to tour agent bankruptcy
• Loss or damage to baggage, clothing, personal effects, notebook
• Loss of travel documents
• Travel delay
• Personal liability abroad
• Golf advantage due to damage or loss of golfing equipment
• Home Guard due to fire damage when left vacant for the duration of the trip
• Cover in the event of Terrorism

You would also like to check with your credit card company. Depending on the policy of the credit card issuer, you may be provided with some travel insurance protection. The travel insurance coverage varies from credit card companies.

Bon Voyage...

10 Commandments for Good Travellers

1. Thou shall not expect to find things as thou as at home, for thou hast left home to find things different.
2. Thou shall not take anything too seriously, for a carefree mind is the start of a good holiday
3. Thou shall not let travellers get on your nerves, for thou hast paid good money to enjoy yourself.
4. Remember to take half as many clothes as thou thinkest and twice the money.
5. Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
6. Remember that if thou had been expected to say in one place, thou would have been created with roots.
7. Thou shalt not worry, for he that worried hath no pleasure
8. When in a country not your own, be prepared to do somewhat as they do.
9. Thou shalt not judge the people of the country by the people who hath given thee trouble
10. Remember thou art a guest in other lands and he who treats his host with respect shall be honoured.

Alcohol may shrink brain, scan show

Drinking large amounts of alcohol might not only leave you with a headache in the morning - it could also shrink your brain. The warning comes after reseachers examined the brains of more than 1800 people, ranging from former and non-drinkers to heavy drinkers.



Using Magnetic resonance imaging scans, the study found that people who had more than 14 drinks a week had an average 1.6% reduction in the ratio of brain volume to skull size campared with non-drinkers. Study author Carol Ann Paul, of Wellesley College in the US said the effect was slightly larger in women than men, and drinking large amounts of alcohol seemed to have the greatest impact on brain volume among women aged in their 70s.


While previous research had shown low to moderate alcohol consumption helped reduce cardiovascular disease, she said, the new findings revealed a very different result of brain volume - which can be seen as a measure of brain ageing.

"Greater alcohol consumption in negatively correlated with brain volume. There appears to be no beneficial effect of low to moderate drinking on brain volume." The findings, presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston, are the latest to link alcohol with brain size.


Several years ago, US researchers found moderate drinkers had smaller brains than those who abstained, while a separate study of 79 alcholics showed females were losing almost twice as much grey matter as men.

In 1990s. Professor Clive Harper of the University of Sydney, examined the brains of dead people and found that even moderate or social drinking could reduce brain size.

Dr. Richard Cash, said that alcohol could affect brain functions, such as memory and logical thinking and the new study appeared to back that up. "This is valuable evidence of the neurosciences to support what we've been seeing from our neuropsychological studies." He said "Brain volume is related to processing power."

The most recent Australian Bureau of statistics figures show about one in every eight adults consumed alcohol at a risky or high-risk level. An everage of five or more drinks a day for men, and three or more for women, is considered a long-term risk.

Reference: The Age - May 3, 2007

Beware: Identify Theft

For a frequent traveller rushing through crowded airports, hotels and other public places make ideal targets for ID thieves on the prowl for personal information.

"How do you prevent it from happening to you?" This is a growing problem and the bad news is that you really cannot prevent it but there are simple steps that you can take to minimize your risk and protect yourself when you are on the road.

Dump your debit card

You should never use a debit card when you travel, use credit card instead. Because debit card purchases are deducted from a checking account at the time they're made, which means that the cash has been siphoned out of your account before you are able to dispute fradulent charges.

Put your wallet on a diet

Never bring along your NRIC/Identity Card when you travel - your passport is good enough. In Singapore, your NRIC is used as identity in most places and thus it is important to keep it at home. Your driver's license would be necessary if you are intending to drive overseas and your identification needs to be verified.

Make copies, and keep them safe

If your wallet is stolen, you will need to get into action immediately. Travellers should photocopy the front and backs of their credit cards, driver's license, and passport, and leave them home with someone you trust. This is because with one phone call, you'll have all the information you need to start cancelling accounts. It is also wise not to bring so many credit cards in your wallet, and if only one is stolen you might not remember which one. Recommend to bring not more than four and keep one in your suit case so that you are able to pay for the hotel and get your yourself home.

Secure your data

You would not believe the amount of personal data that people carry around unsecured on their notebook, mobile phone or Blackberrys. You need to ensure that any sensitive information is password-protected and encrypted. Simply put, an intruder should not be able to get pass the opening screen without a password - that is the basic.

Look out when you log in

Travellers should use caution when logging into wireless networks, to verify that they are secure, and even then, to use them with caution. Some useful firewall and security softwares that Travellers should have on their notebook. If you are doing sensitive data transfer like on-line purchases or banking transactions ensure that the data transfer is encrypted using SSL (secure socket layer) - the small lock icon on the bottom right hand corner.

Take caution at the hotel

Hotels don's really run background checks on all employees, and a hotel room is a wonderful place to collect information. If you are leaving the room, ensure that your notebook is in the safe, along with your passport and all valuables. Travellers sometimes pay their bills and do their banking while they're on the road. You don't want financial statements and sensitive information getting into the wrong hands. This is also one reason I normally stay in good class hotels when I am on business - these hotels has a reputation to uphold and it's secure.

Watch what you are doing

Sometimes when we are travelling with colleaques and comparing notes - it is important to note that no sensitive information or comparing with the competitors be discussed. Business travellers are sometimes oblivious to their surroundings and they have got only business on their minds - thus they are much more vulnerable when distracted. It is important to get a business meeting room in the hotel for confidential discussion rather than in the open hotel foyer.

What to do when you suspect you are a victim of identity theft?

• Establish a fraud alert
• Call your respective country credit reporting agency and ask them to tag your account with a fraud alert. This will flag your file so that creditors must contact you before extending credit.
• Contact card issuers and bank. Explain your situation and then ask them to cancel your accounts and issue new cards with different account number.
• Call the policeNotify authorities in both your home city and the place where the theft occured. Sometimes, reporting to the police in the place where the theft occured can be difficult due to language barriers.

Resources:

Equifax

Identity Theft Resource Center

Identity Theft Prevention and Survival

Business Traveler magazine April 2007