· New campaign sets out
simple steps to avoid invalidating insurance cover
· Invalid travel insurance
could lead to significant costs.
· Travellers encouraged to
check Travel Advice for their destination
As the big summer getaway ramps up with many schools breaking up,
the FCDO is urging Brits travelling abroad to make sure they do
not void their travel insurance and risk a big bill. A new campaign will guide
British travellers on the steps they need to take to make sure
their policies cover them on their summer holidays.
Travellers without adequate and appropriate insurance cover could
face bills running to tens of thousands of pounds if things go
wrong abroad. But a few simple checks can help save travellers
unnecessary stress and expense.
The campaign will encourage Brits to:
· Declare all pre-existing
medical conditions ahead of their trip
· Check their insurance
covers planned holiday activities such as water sports
· Check that the length of
their trip does not exceed any time limit in their insurance
policy
· Check their travel
insurance includes medical evacuation cover
· Take a printed copy of
their insurance policy away with them and save the insurance
company’s 24/7 emergency contact number and their policy number
on their phone
· Share their travel
insurance policy details with travel companions and/or family in
the UK
Medical bills can be eye-wateringly expensive, if someone is
injured or falls ill abroad without adequate insurance cover. The
price of surgery for a broken leg in the Canary Islands can be
over £10,000, for example, and an accident in Greece requiring
surgery and flights back to the UK could result in a bill of
£30,000. The FCDO can provide support and assistance for British
people who are hospitalised abroad but cannot pay medical bills
or for medical evacuation.
Jennifer Anderson, FCDO Director of Consular
Services said:
“Arranging appropriate travel insurance is a holiday essential
for all Brits heading overseas this summer.
“By taking a few simple steps, travellers can avoid invalidating
their insurance and save themselves thousands of pounds in
medical bills should things go wrong.
“Having the travel insurance in place that meets your needs can
make all the difference and allow you to relax and enjoy your
holiday.”
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said,
“If you’re going away on holiday this summer, it’s really
important to take out travel insurance and make sure it provides
the right cover for your trip - including the activities you’re
planning, and any health conditions you may have.
“You can also insure for cancellation due to unforeseen
circumstances, but not all insurance covers this, so it’s vital
to check the exact terms of your policy.”
Louise Clark, Association of British Insurers
Policy Adviser, said:
“Travel insurance can provide vital protection and peace of mind
when holidaying abroad, especially against any costs involved
with needing emergency medical treatment.
It’s important to answer all questions fully and honestly when
buying insurance to ensure you have the right cover in place,
especially on any pre-existing medical conditions.
Policies will vary, so understand what you will or won’t be
covered for and buy the cover that most suits your needs -not
just based on price.
If you’re unsure about your cover or have any questions, please
contact your insurer.”
Travellers are reminded that the UK Global
Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or valid UK European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) gets them state healthcare in Europe at a
reduced cost or sometimes for free. However, the GHIC and EHIC do
not replace travel insurance and does not cover costs such as
bringing the patient back to the UK or additional accommodation
costs in-country. Travellers should also remember that the level
of free public healthcare can vary between countries, so British
nationals may not have access to the same specialist treatment
that they would at home.
In addition to checking their travel insurance cover, the FCDO is
encouraging travellers to prepare for their trip abroad. The
FCDO’s foreign travel checklist
sets out the practical steps that Brits need to think
about before they head off on holiday, from passport validity to
health prescriptions. Holidaymakers are also encouraged to get
all the latest info on their destination by checking travel advice on GOV.UK and
signing up for e-mail alerts. FCDO travel advice has all the
latest info on entry requirements, local laws and customs and
health care provision in over 200 countries and territories.
