Without other precautions, you may be at risk of losing more than 150,000 pounds. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued official guidance advising British people traveling abroad to secure travel insurance to cover potential medical expenses.
This insurance should also cover ongoing physical or mental health conditions and activities that may be engaged during holidays. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that if they don't have the correct travel insurance, travelers will face emergency costs such as treatment.
In some countries, they highlight that uninsured medical costs can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds depending on the location. For example, a leg fracture requiring hospital care in Spain can cost more than £20,000.
Similarly, simple stomach bugs or infections treated in US hospitals with the potential for medical evacuation can exceed £150,000. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that you secure travel insurance as soon as your trip is booked.
However, it is important to read small prints and understand policy exclusions that may be lacking coverage during holidays.
It is important to ensure only travel insurance from companies approved by the British Association of Insurance Companies (ABI). ABI, representing over 300 insurers, has urged many insurers who offer certain coverage on short holidays overseas to ensure that all British people have travel insurance.
This can cover a range of issues, from lost packages to life-saving medical care that could otherwise be prohibitively expensive. The official ABI guidance states, “When shopping for travel insurance, make sure your insurance policy is suitable for your needs and do not automatically choose the cheapest one. This is especially important if you have an existing medical condition.”
We also recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your vacation. This is because it covers unrecoverable costs, such as when you have to cancel your trip due to illness.
Many travel insurance offers coverage from the start of your trip until you return to the UK, so it is also advised to buy insurance before leaving the UK. During the holidays, many may choose to participate in certain activities that may increase the risk of requiring treatment.
Therefore, when purchasing travel insurance, it is important to cover the costs of injuries and illnesses caused by these activities.
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Some travel insurance may require you to select a specific cover add-on for certain activities.