Insurance & E111
INSURANCE
It is compulsory for all Hardings passengers to be fully insured for all Continental
holidays, and we strongly recommend cover for UK tours. It is important that you
have cover which is sufficient to pay any claims you may need to make.
Even cover which appears more than adequate in the UK can prove far from enough
in some countries of the world, particularly for claims involving injury or hospitalisation.
That is why our experience has led us to insure our clients for the sums we do.
For passengers who already have cover, or wish to make alternative arrangements, we have no objection to this at all, but we do need to know, in your own interests, that you do have the appropriate cover and ask that you let us have your insurers name and a policy number.
E111 / EHIC
If you’re travelling in Europe, please make sure you have got a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), as well as travel insurance. An EHIC is free, and it could save you a lot of money and hassle if you need medical help while you are away. The EHIC is the replacement for the E111 form, which stopped being valid on 31 December 2005.
Some travel insurance might not be enough to cover your medical care while you are away, and some travel insurance policies aren’t valid without an EHIC.
For more advise regarding EHIC call 0845 605 0707. Or apply on line at Department of Healths website Alternatively, call on 0845 606 2030
The EHIC is issued free of charge so apply now if you haven’t already done so.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A valid full passport is required for all overseas destinations, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have them with you at the time of travel along with all other travel documents required. Without passports you will not be permitted to travel and no refunds will be given.
Please note that certain non British passport holders may also require a visa.
HARDINGS INTERNATIONAL COACHES IS A FULLY BONDED TOUR OPERATOR
BONDED COACH HOLIDAYS ( BCH ) - For Peace of Mind
When considering a coach holiday always look for the BCH triangle on the operator’s brochure. This means that your holiday is a bonded through Bonded Coach Holidays.
This offers you :
- Your guarantee of consumer protection
- Your money is safe with BCH
- Terms of booking are clear and reasonable
- The operator is a member of the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK - the industry’s national trade association
- Independent arbitration service to handle complaints.
BCHG safeguards your money in the unlikely event that your BCHG tour operator ceases training. You are guaranteed repayment of monies paid. It also ensures the completion of your holiday if it has already started.
BCHG operators are bound by rules and a code of conduct and must ensure that the terms of booking are clear and reasonable. The Confederation of Passenger Transport uses an independent arbitration service to handle complaints.
Why the need for BCHG?
In January 1993 the Package Travel Regulations come into force to offer protection to consumers when booking package holidays. Tour operators have a legal obligation to provide such protection and failure to do so is a criminal offence.
The BCHG operators are monitored by the confederation of Passenger Transport who assess members regularly against operational and financial standards.
A full list of Bonded Coach Holidays Group (BCHG ) operators is available by calling The Confederation of Transport on: 020 7240 3131 or visit their website on : www.bondedcoachholidays.co.uk
The consumer protection scheme for the Coach Holiday Industry approved by Government and operated by the Confederation of Passengers Transport UK (CPT)