A recent report by ABTA: The Cost of NOT having Travel Insurance
A recent report by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) found that 1 in 4 holidaymakers put themselves at risk by travelling without insurance, with those ages 25-34 the most likely to travel without cover.
With peak winter season now upon us, we caught up with Dale Robinson, director at insurance provider Just Travel Cover, to find out why that’s not a good idea.
Mr Robinson said “as we head into winter, people need to be aware of the potential costs they could face if travelling without insurance. Accidents and illness can happen anywhere, and holidaymakers could face substantial medical bills if they don’t have adequate insurance.
He added, the latest figures are from 2023, but the average travel insurance claim for medical treatment was £1,724, but in some cases, it can easily run into thousands or tens of thousands of pounds, particularly if you’re in the USA and Caribbean, where costs have rocketed.
Aside from the medical bills, there’s the cost of getting home after a stay in hospital, as well as other things that can go wrong on holiday like losing your luggage or your passport – all things where Travel Insurance can step in.
There are so many stories now of desperate crowdfunding to pay for medical bills and get travellers home, when that’s what Travel Insurance is for.
According to the ABI (Association of British Insurers), in 2023, insurers paid out £511m across 574,000 claims – that’s 58% more than the previous year. And while people often assume they’ll be OK in Europe due to the GHIC, there were just under 29,000 claims for Spain alone, with a value of £41.7 million.
Jaw-dropping examples of Travel Insurance claims!
Thailand
“A traveller visiting Thailand suffered a serious blood infection needing intensive medical treatment and an air ambulance back to the UK. The total bill was £250,000 paid by the travel insurer. “(ABI 2023)
Greece
Customer sustained injuries in a forest fire and one insurer paid out £25,000 in repatriation and medical costs. (ABI 2024)
Spain
“A holidaymaker in Spain needed private medical treatment for a kidney infection. This cost £15,000, covered by her travel insurance. “(ABI 2023)
Canary Islands
“A holidaymaker in the Canary Islands needing treatment for a lung condition had to be transferred from a state hospital covered by the GHIC to receive private medical treatment, followed by an air ambulance back to the UK. The total bill of £67,000 was again paid by the travel insurer.” (ABTA, May 2019)
France
“While the GHIC paid for 80% of the cost of treating injuries from a fall in France, this still left £16,000, including return to the UK on a stretcher. These costs were covered by the travel insurer.” (ABTA, May 2019)
At Just Travel Cover we work with a panel of insurers allowing you to compare multiple insurers helping you save time. Most insurers offer three levels of cover – bronze, silver and gold and we provide cover for hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions. Plus, there’s no upper age limit.
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
