Business Travel Insurance

World class Business Travel Insurance

It may sound like a bold claim but our business travel insurance really is world class. Not only does it include cover for your laptop, mobile phones and PDA's as standard but our business insurance policy automatically covers a business colleague if you cannot make a meeting - how's that for good business sense?

Helpful tips for your business trip

As with any business meeting, a successful trip comes down to planning. Here are a few helpful resources to help your trip run smoothly.

• If you're driving to the airport, enjoy the benefits of VIP Executive travel by pre-booking Meet and Greet Parking - No waiting, no transfers and no cramped buses.
• Looking for the latest currency exchange rates? The XE Currency and Foreign Exchange Site is a good place to start.
• Cloud computing services are a safe and versatile way to store your business data online, then readily retrieve it from any computer worldwide. With services available from £5, it's a great way to ensure against data loss when you need it the most.
• Carry 2 copies of your business travel insurance and other important documents in separate bags. If one bag is lost or stolen you're more likely to be able to contact your insurer quickly with your back up details to get the claim moving.

Avoid credit card fraud

Travelling overseas on business often means you'll rely on your credit cards for a whole host of things including lunch, transport and accommodation. With card fraud on the increase in many foreign countries, here are a few simple precautions to help protect yourself:-

• Only take the card(s) you need - If your wallet is lost or stolen, it's far easier to deal with just one or 2 cards.
• Keep sight of your card - Don't give your card to anyone else, or let it out of your sight when paying - this is the perfect opportunity for a fraudster to skim and clone your card.
• Don't discard your receipts - Information on a receipt could be used by a criminal.
• Remember the 24 hour helpline - Take your credit card issuer's 24-hour helpline number with you. In an emergency, or in the event of theft, you can contact them immediately to get the card stopped and a replacement card or money transfer arranged.

According to one set of figures, fraud committed with UK cards in the USA has soared by 118% since 2005 and it's the place you're most likely to be a victim on a UK-issued card. Italy and Australia are the next most popular fraud hot spots.

Laptops and Business Data

According to some reports, over 800,000 laptops are lost or stolen at airports each year. Although business travel insurance can easily replace the laptop, the data contained on it, be it the culmination of days, weeks or months worth of hard work, is irreplaceable. If you are travelling on business with a laptop, mobile phone or PDA, these hints and tips may help.

• Back-up important data on a pen drive before arriving at the airport.
• Lock your electronic equipment with a PIN or password - it's less attractive to a thief.
• Only use your laptop when needed - if it's away safe, it's less likely to get lost or stolen.
• If your laptop, mobile phone or PDA is lost or stolen, don't assume that it's gone forever, check with lost property straight away then again a week later. Many items are recovered and handed in but never claimed!

Business Icebreakers

To help break the ice at your next "social networking" event, here are some strange but true business facts:

• The country of Andorra has a zero percent unemployment rate.
• In 2001, the 5 most valuable brand names were Coca-Cola, Microsoft, IBM, GE, and Nokia.
• American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1 year by removing 1 olive from each salad.
• On average, a business document is copied 19 times.
• Approximately 7.5% of all office documents get lost.
• The name Reebok was taken from the African Gazelle.