Looking for travel insurance to cover working overseas

If BUPA can not help then you could try AXA Insurance which, from memory, took-over PPP a few years ago. You could also Google Expat Medical Insurance and there's at least one provider - London-based whose rates aren't too horrible. If all else fails, contact an insurance brokerage - you may find you need to have a special policy underwritten at Lloyds and that's likely to be conditional on the insurers having access to your medical history.

I'm thinking along the same lines, better safe than sorry and all that, thanks for the info.

I used to build desktop computers, it can't be that different can it?

I think for countries such as the Philippines were the FCO do not recommend visiting (parts of Mindanao) you would also not be covered if you visited such regions. It is always a good idea to set up FCO alerts for countries you are visiting!

If the country you are going to visit and work in is part of the EU, make sure you have your EHIC as well, but it is not a substitute for proper travel insurance. And download the EHIC app for your smartphone too!

I supposed it isn't if you used block and tackle, inch drive sockets and a big hammer for rebuilding the computer

It is always wise to have the EHIC card with you when traveling in the EU as it is definite proof of eligibility for free healthcare in the EU and other participating countries. If I remember rightly I had to apply online for mine and it cost around £15, not quite sure.

If you paid £15 to get the EHIC card then you have been conned! EHIC cards are free and you apply for them here...

https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do

You're right Howerd I shouldn't have paid for one, I just have that inkling that I did.

If not, you will just have to plan a safe job. Go easy on the manual handling.

Yes, that's about right. I'm your man

Vamonos

Forget travel insurance, I would suggest that you get a decent health insurance policy, and check the small print for any specific exclusions, or have a chat with one of their sales reps.

Do you also need Life Assurance to cover you for the aftermath of an industrial injury? I know nothing about that.

I have been "on the road" for over 20 years, IT consultancy in Europe and Asia, and when there has been a break in the work I jump on a plane and head somewhere decent. In fact my current break from work is now more than a year so I might be retired.

I have an annual, area 2, fully comprehensive health insurance policy with Axa PPP, this covers me worldwide except for the USA and Canada. I have had the plan for over 20 years, currently costs about £3,000 per year, and my only claims have been minor (dental, optics etc..).

I have never bothered with travel insurance, waste of time and money (my opinion). It might be OK for a week in Torremolinos but who cares about a lost suitcase, the medical benefit is covered by my medical insurance.

Soy Listo

I'm not ready yet and the price Dave has just quoted for his insurance means I may never be ready

Bit pricy for me Dave, if I was traveling constantly like I used to and self employed then I would definitely consider it.

I'm going to have to come to some sort of compromise I suppose when choosing a policy.

Your original post seems to be addressing insurance against injury at work.

I can't see why the employing company cannot cover you against injury at work. What kind of outfit are they? I haven't looked into it but EU Employment law surely covers this.

In the UK it is illegal not to stump up for a certificate of employers liability. And like I say, the employing company of contracted staff is liable for the health and safety of all contracted staff aswell as directly employed staff, and is covered in the HASWA 1974.

I think that the company I am contracting for cannot insure me because it would then appear that I was employed by them, I know they have to distance themselves for tax reasons. It certainly is not a financial reason they wont cover me, I know all the engineers on their books are very well insured to work around the world. They have some really strange laws in Belgium regarding H&S for example, the risk assessments and method statements I use in connection with my work are written by a Belgian solicitor (that's their law), I cannot write my own or go on a course like I did in oil and gas industry do to enable me to write one.

I think I'm going to opt for a business travel policy that covers me for manual work (non machine operating), at least then I will feel a little better about it.

Bupa will be giving me a call on Monday too so I will see what they come up with. I have to balance common sense, possibility of injury at work and of course the cost when selecting a policy.

In fact thinking about it, I'm just going to get some kind of cover for the next couple of weeks and have a discussion with the company I am contracting for, I will tell them that I'm struggling to find cover at a reasonable cost and see what they say.

I've got some West African jaunts coming up soon so I need to get something concrete set up.

Is the company you are contracted to a Belgian company?

Yes