Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

HEALTH & SAFETY 33cruise line is on the list of carriers coveredin case of bankruptcy. For information,contact one of the followinginsurers: Access America (& 866/807-3982; www.accessamerica.com);Travel Guard International (& 800/826-4919; www.travelguard.com);Travel Insured International (& 800/243-3174; www.travelinsured.com);and Travelex Insurance Services(& 888/457-4602; www.travelexinsurance.com).MEDICAL INSURANCE Mosthealth insurance policies cover you ifyou get sick away from home—butcheck, particularly if you’re insured byan HMO. With the exception of certainHMOs and Medicare/Medicaid,your medical insurance should covermedical treatment—even hospitalcare—overseas. However, most outof-countryhospitals make you payyour bills up front, and send you arefund after you’ve returned home andfiled the necessary paperwork. And ina worst-case scenario, there’s the highcost of emergency evacuation. If yourequire additional medical insurance,try MEDEX International (& 800/527-0218 or 410/453-6300; www.medexassist.com) or Travel AssistanceInternational (& 800/821-2828; www.travelassistance.com; forgeneral information on services, call7 Health & SafetySTAYING HEALTHYYou’ll encounter few health problemswhile in Scotland. The tap water issafe to drink, the milk is pasteurized,and health services are good. Themad-cow crisis is over, but caution isalways advised. (For example, it’s beensuggested that it’s safer to eat Britishbeef cut from the bone instead of onthe bone.)If you need a doctor, your hotel canrecommend one, or you can contactyour embassy or consulate. Note: U.S.visitors who become ill while inthe company’s Worldwide AssistanceServices, Inc., at & 800/777-8710).LOST-LUGGAGE INSURANCEOn domestic flights, checked baggageis covered up to $2,500 per ticketedpassenger. On international flights(including U.S. portions of internationaltrips), baggage is limited toapproximately $9.07 per pound, up toapproximately $635 per checked bag.If you plan to check items more valuablethan the standard liability, see ifyour valuables are covered by yourhomeowner’s policy, get baggageinsurance as part of your comprehensivetravel-insurance package or buyTravel Guard’s “BagTrak” product.Don’t buy insurance at the airport, asit’s usually overpriced. Be sure to takeany valuables or irreplaceable itemswith you in your carry-on luggage, asmany valuables (including books,money and electronics) aren’t coveredby airline policies.If your luggage is lost, immediatelyfile a lost-luggage claim at the airport,detailing the luggage contents. Formost airlines, you must reportdelayed, damaged, or lost baggagewithin 4 hours of arrival. The airlinesare required to deliver luggage, oncefound, directly to your house or destinationfree of charge.England are eligible for free emergencycare only. For other treatment,including follow-up care, you’ll beasked to pay.WHAT TO DO IF YOU GETSICK AWAY FROM HOMEIf you need a doctor, your hotel canrecommend one, or you can contactyour embassy or consulate. OutsideEdinburgh, dial & 100 and ask theoperator for the local police, who willgive you the name, address, and telephonenumber of a doctor in your area.