Your Protection

Safety is our number one priority. We will never let a team travel if we have doubt in our ability to manage a team's safety appropriately. As such, we constantly monitor our destinations, understanding of course that the very nature of developing countries can be instability and uncertainty; with political unrest, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and even global pandemics... 

Should we consider that a destination or part of the itinerary at a destination becomes unviable for safety reasons within 60 days of departure, we will implement the following process:

Our first point of call would be a consultative process with the school to explore itinerary diversions. This might be as simple as avoiding a particular area, or perhaps avoiding travel to the original destination all together. Should any such changes incur additional charges, these would be absorbed by Outlook.

If the UK Government advises against travel within 60 days of departure and we are unable to provide a suitable diversion for any reason, it may be that Outlook has to cancel the expedition.

In such a scenario, schools and families have the reassurance from Outlook that they would receive a full refund for the services not delivered. If cancellation happens subsequently to the Expedition Training event in the UK, then Outlook would retain the reasonable costs associated with that element of the Outlook Programme, otherwise the expedition would be refunded in full.

From the moment the team boards the aeroplane to the moment of return landing, our expedition teams are coveed for medical expenses, including repatriation in a medical emergency. This means that for any medical issues, members of the expedition team have the 24-7 support of their in-country Leader Team, The UK Operations Room Team, and permanently on-call medical professionals.

In the unlikely event that Outlook ceases to trade, the cost of the overseas element of the expedition is protected under the ATOL scheme.

For further protection we always recommend that participants secure their own travel insurance. This offers protection in the event of enforced withdraw from an expedition prior to travelling, for example for medical reasons.

We advise consideration of the following criteria when choosing a policy:

- Annual Multi Trip (choose the cover start date from 330 days prior to departure – which is when Outlook’s travel cancellation charges become applicable)

- Ensure that the policy covers the cost of the expedition

- Ensure you declare any pre- existing conditions if required

- If you are relying on a family policy, check if insurance will cover a child travelling without a parent but with a guardian

- We suggest consulting Which, the consumer choice group, who have published guidance on finding the right travel insurance

Insurers may ask what activities your child will be involved with during the trip. You do not need cover for in-country expedition activities as these are protected through Outlook. The insurance policy that we recommend that you secure is for cover in the event you have to cancel your child’s place prior to departure.