Plan for illness disasters and disrupted travel
Security includes ordinary emergencies. A road injury, medication interruption or cancelled route can be serious even when no one is targeting you.
Health and payment access
Before travelling, discuss relevant conditions and activities with a clinician. Check medication legality and any import approval through official destination channels; a prescription from home may not be sufficient. Keep necessary medication and supporting documents appropriately packed, with a reasonable permitted contingency supply. [S51]
Identify a suitable emergency department and how to reach it. Check that your insurer's assistance number works internationally and who can authorise payment if you cannot. Plan for deposits or out of pocket costs without needing access to crypto reserves. Serious symptoms or injury require emergency services; do not wait for insurance approval. [S50]
Ask insurers precise questions
| Coverage | What to confirm in writing |
|---|---|
| Medical and evacuation | Relevant conditions, activities, destination, authorisation process and payment arrangements |
| Trip disruption | Cancellation, extended stay, transit interruptions and exclusions linked to official advice |
| Crisis response | Who provides assistance, how to activate it, territory and exclusions |
| Property and digital assets | What is actually insured, limits, exclusions and claims evidence |
Kidnap and ransom or specialist crisis policies require professional advice. They may impose notification, confidentiality, legal and response requirements. Do not assume an ordinary travel policy covers coercion, crypto loss, war or evacuation at your preferred time.
Shelter or leave using official guidance
Save local alert channels and understand the accommodation's evacuation plan. Keep documents, ordinary funds, medication and charging capability accessible. A departure plan needs a lawful open route; do not head towards a closed airport or improvise a border crossing.
During an earthquake, protect yourself from falling objects and follow local instructions. At a coast, strong or prolonged shaking or a tsunami warning may require prompt movement to designated higher ground or shelter; do not wait to collect possessions. Use local hazard guidance. [S36]
For typhoons, floods or severe weather, follow local authorities, avoid floodwater and reconsider exposed travel. Do not use an elevator or basement simply because it appeared in a different emergency plan; hazards require different responses.
Communications failure: agree a nearby meeting point, an alternative staffed location and a remote contact. Messages may be delayed. A missed message alone does not prove danger, but a credible threat should trigger immediate help rather than waiting for a scheduled check in.