Being injured in an accident abroad can have devastating consequences, and could lead to you losing your job when get home. Read our top tips to avoid accidents while travelling abroad.

The most common accidents travellers face include:

  • Road traffic collisions (including quad bike and jeep accidents)
  • Accidents in hotels, around swimming pools, and in other public areas, including falls on stairs and ramps
  • Cycling accidents
  • Cruise and boating accidents
  • Adventure holiday accidents
  • Medical negligence
  • Assaults and falls in public areas and private buildings. 

Follow these expert tips to protect yourself from accidents while away on holiday and prepare yourself in case you suffer an injury:

Insurance

  • Before travelling, make sure you have travel insurance with good medical assistance cover for the whole duration of your trip
  • Remember to take your  European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card if your holiday’s in the European Economic Area (EEA). The EHIC gives you secure access to state healthcare in other EEA countries up until the expiry date shown on the card. If yours has expired, you’ll need to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to replace an expired EHIC. You can get one online or at your local post office for free
  • Don’t rely on an EHIC or GHIC alone. This doesn’t cover all expenses if something happens to you. For example, it wouldn’t cover the cost for you to be repatriated by air ambulance back home if you were seriously injured
  • It’s important to read the fine print of your insurance policy to make sure it gives you the right level of cover. Look out for policy limits and exclusions

Health and safety

  • Keep an eye out for safety advice and warning signs around your holiday complex or the local area on how to avoid injury. The same advice goes for excursions
  • Check for any faults when you arrive at your accommodation and report these to hotel staff or your holiday rep. If possible, take photographs to provide evidence of potential safety breaches
  • Request a sticker from hotel staff to place on any glass doors, if there’s isn’t already one

Reporting accidents

  • Report any accident as soon as possible to your resort representative, hotel staff or accommodation owner
  • Contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible after an accident to get advice on your level of medical cover. Some companies have a strict period for making a claim, which is worth checking before you travel. It’s also useful to keep the contact number for your provider to hand
  • Make sure that your accident has been recorded in the hotel’s accident book, and keep a copy of it
  • If possible, take photographs of where the accident happened and what might have caused it
  • If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact details
  • If you seek medical attention, keep a report of any doctor’s notes, hospital documentation, and medical treatment receipts 
  • Try to keep a diary of your appointments or any discussions with hotel staff or management following an injury.

If you do suffer an injury that wasn't your fault while abroad, our lawyers may be able to help you claim compensation. Read more about accident abroad claims

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