No matter what type of employment you’re in, from marketing jobs to sales jobs, there will probably come a time when you will have to travel.

Travelling abroad can be a vital part of your business whether to visit international operations, increase sales or review suppliers.

Often company equipment such as mobile phones, laptops and the company credit will be taken with the employee. Business Travel insurance protects your business if the unforeseen worse case scenario occurs.

On behalf of a small family run stone manufacturing business I have travelled to the natural stone fair held in Verona to meet potential suppliers, view new machinery and products on the market and maintain relationships with existing international suppliers.

The emphasis is on building company image so company literature, laptops and mobiles are a necessity. With the cost of flights, hotels, car hire and event entry fees the annual trip bill is already high so knowing I am personally covered as well as my equipment offers me and the company a much needed security blanket should anything unexpected happen.

Employees are a vital asset to your company and Business Travel Insurance protects your employees when they are away from the relative safety of home. Medical care, lost luggage, emergency evacuations and flight delays are all covered in a business travel insurance policy giving you and your employee peace of mind when they are away.

Whilst many small businesses may review the cost of business travel insurance and decide that it is an unnecessary expense – it is exactly the small business that should treat business travel insurance as a necessity.

For a small premium business travel insurance covers the financial burden of medical bills, missed flights and lost or stolen possessions. Without this insurance, these costs could mount up and leave a small business in a very serious financial position.

In these cases, small businesses should reduce the costs of their travel insurance by refusing any unnecessary extras that may be offered and avoid card transaction fees where possible. Some insurance providers offer discounts for multi person insurance and you should always shop around yourself as well as with your broker for the best deal.

Businesses should always check the policy before buying to ensure that it fully covers your employees. You should watch out for policies that do not cover pre-existing conditions in their medical cover or do not cover missed connections if it is likely that your employee will need to get a few planes home.