TRAVELING TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP? ALLIANZ GLOBAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDES “NEED TO KNOWS”
FOR FANS VISITING THE UK
Richmond, VA (August 20, 2015) – On September 17, The 2015 Rugby World Cup will kick off in the United Kingdom, with more than two million tickets sold. For rugby fans across the globe planning to head off to watch the big games, Allianz Global Assistance offers some practical but essential advice for travelers to ensure that their visit to the UK is as worry-free and enjoyable as possible.
Allianz Global Assistance is sharing their top five “need to knows” so that fans can stay focused on their favorite matches and comfortably plug in to the local culture too.
- Know The Healthcare Policies: If you miss a step in the stands and skin your knee and need medical attention, it is important to note that visitors to the UK will usually have to pay in advance for medical treatment. However, if travelers have a travel insurance policy* from Allianz Global Assistance that includes emergency medical coverage, they may avoid laying out money in advance as their policy may guarantee their payment. In addition to knowing medical policies and procedures, Allianz Global Assistance recommends brushing up on standard British customs like tipping, as well as popular jargon.
- Know The Numbers: In case of an emergency, travelers should call 999 for an ambulance. When in doubt, dial the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) on 111 for non-emergency medical attention. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Additionally, Allianz Global Assistance provides 24/7/365 travel assistance to its customers via its call center and can help travelers with any medical or travel assistance hiccup they may experience.
- Know The Rules of the Road: 13 venues within eleven cities across England and Cardiff have been selected to host matches for the Rugby World Cup 2015. There will be no parking at or near match venues, but travellers who drive can take advantage of ‘Park and Ride’ or ‘Park and Walk services’. Don’t try and park in streets near the venue, as local event day parking restrictions will apply. For more information visit http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/travel. And remember – in the UK motorists drive on the left hand side of the road!
- Know Where to Stay: It’s always the same challenge when it comes to housing thousands of spectators. As everywhere, prices and comfort levels vary greatly and include traditional hotels, youth hostels and campgrounds. Visitors may want to visit http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/cities for recommendations made by Host Cities or visit sharing economy sites like, Airbnb and HomeAway, which may offer more competitive pricing. In fact, in the Allianz Travel Insurance 2015 Vacation Confidence Index survey, Allianz discovered that millennial travelers are very confident in using these “sharing economy” services. No matter the type of accommodations you choose, Allianz Global Assistance recommends keeping all important documentation (passports, travel insurance policy documents and other identification documents) in a safe place.
- Know The Currency Rates: There is no need to load up on Sterling cash before arriving in the UK. There are ATMs at most airports, and stations and motorway services across the UK. Do your homework before your trip to check current currency rates, often banks can charge fees for money withdrawal and there can be credit card fees for international transactions.
For more information on international policies and what is included in a travel insurance policy provided through Allianz Global Assistance, please visit: www.allianztravelinsurance.com.