Coping with an emergency abroad Natural disasters and legal trouble 

A hurricane could seriously disrupt your holiday

What if I get caught up in a natural disaster or terrorist incident?

Tour operator reps should do their utmost to locate customers and provide support, so if you’re on a package holiday, contact them first to let them know how and where you are. Your travel company may – in special circumstances – pay for rearranged flights and extended accommodation. 

If the event is a ‘major catastrophe’, the London-based crisis group of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) may send a rapid deployment team and funds to the country. If your contact details and trip plans are registered with the FCO’s online Locate service, officials will be better able to check that you are okay and keep relatives informed. Consular help may be limited if you travelled against FCO travel advice. 

If you’ve been seriously injured in a terrorist attack abroad, the British Red Cross can also offer financial help from a relief fund. 

If the events force you to spend longer – and so more money – in the destination, you’re much more likely to get help (or claim the extra costs back) from your travel insurance policy if the cause was a natural disaster – terrorist incidents are often excluded.  

Notify consular officials if you are detained

I have been detained by police after unwittingly committing a crime. What should I do?

There were more than 6,000 cases of Brits abroad requiring help after being arrested or detained in 2009-10. 

Firstly, insist that consular officials are notified – especially for a serious offence – as they should contact you within 24 hours of knowing about your detention. They can give details of English-speaking lawyers and the local legal system, pass on money from relatives, and may intervene if your treatment goes against international standards. They can’t give legal advice or get you out of jail.

If you are stuck in jail, support can also come from welfare charity Prisoners Abroad, which can arrange for the transfer of essential funds, vitamins and medication. 

Don’t expect any help from your travel insurance company, but your tour operator rep can inform the consulate for you and help cross language barriers.