Looking for travel insurance to cover working overseas

I have a few trips coming up which will involve going to some not so pleasant countries and I'm looking for travel insurance to cover for all the usual stuff, but I specifically need a policy that will cover me for if I hurt myself whilst working. I'm struggling to find cover on the internet as when I read the small print I am finding that they do not cover working with machinery, they will cover for manual work but not with machinery. I cant take any risks because I know of a few serious incidents that have happened to my colleagues.

Previously when I have been employed, the company I have been working for has provided comprehensive cover. I have been contracting for a company now for a few months and have worked overseas for them assuming I was insured, I found out last week that their cover only applies to the air ticket they buy for me.

Any help pointing me to a company that will take care of my requirements would be appreciated.

Hmm can't help on that front as all companies I've worked for provide insurance when at work. I honestly thought it was a legal requirement. Maybe contact a local insurance broker

I have never worked abroad but a quick search of the internet has revealed the following...

http://www.travelinsuranceguide.org.uk/working-abroad.html

In that guide they suggest trying...

https://www.insurewithease.com/

I thought it would be as easy as buying multi trip travel insurance but that doesn't appear to be the case, as soon as I get to the small print it says I wouldn't be covered for manual work and if it says I am covered for manual work it then says no machine operating included. I don't want to be one of these chaps stuck abroad because they find are not covered, its all about the small print, its very easy to buy one of these policies online to find out at the worst possible moment that you're not covered.

Thanks Howerd, I'm going around in circles now and falling out with the missus

One thing I have learned while searching, your insurance cover is void if you travel to a country on the FCO list of countries not to visit.

Maybe @Dave_E could help, think I've heard him mentioning something about insurance before.

I need to go for a walk now, its stressing me

Can contact a previous employer and ask them who they used to arrange cover?

That is a possibility as I have to contact them next week regarding my P11D for my old company car.

I did remember one company (ACE travel) who I was insured by while working for a company. There website is for brokers though, it looks like you can sort of build your own insurance package that suits your own company, and that to me has expense written all over it, it is also an expense that I believe I cannot claim back through my company but I could be wrong about that.

Certificate of Employers Liability.

Is it a UK company you are contracted to work with?

I contract for a Belgian company now and the only thing they don't supply is the travel insurance, plane ticket, paying for jabs and malaria tablets, excess baggage and tools but no insurance. I think it is probably due to their tax rules over there.

I have a feeling it could cost quite a lot of money to get a policy that suits, and has I mentioned earlier I don't think it can be claimed through my company, something about me having a Ltd company my colleague said, I will have to check with my accountant on that one.

Can't help you there, Timmers.
Like Stu, I was always covered by the Oil company, same as medevac cover.

Same as, I've always been covered until now, the joy of self employment eh.

Surely there must be EU legislation to protect you on that? As you know, the EU can be quite hot on that sort of thing.

Yes, the downside of running your own business. Things like insurance have to be considered.

I would have thought the company you are contracted to must have vicarious liabilty for you?

I know what you mean.
I am covered once I enter the clients' premises but not on the journey there.

You're right, they do have liability insurance for me.

The reason I'm so keen to get insurance is because I fly out next Wednesday to Mayotte and I'm carrying a slight back strain and I know through slipping a disc years back that things can escalate with this kind of thing. Very unlikely I will have a problem but insurance is for that one off time after all.

In the UK sub contracted workers are the ultimate responsibility of the main employing company (whoever they are subcontracted to).

That's right, unfortunately though they are not responsible for my medical cover while I am on site doing their business.

I have been to the BUPA website and asked for a call back, but that has expense written all over it too, we will see.

Just found where Mayotte is.
If you pay for my plane ticket and excess baggage (dive gear) I promise I will make sure you are safe for most of the days?

You could help me strip down the big compressor too if you fancy getting your hands dirty