Holiday medical bills on the rise
An analysis of claims in the last 12 months by the UK high street insurance provider Debenhams Travel Insurance shows that bills have almost doubled over the last decade, with an average medical claim now costing over £900, rising to just under £1,000 for travellers aged 65 and older, while he average non-medical travel insurance claim is less than half of that, at just over £400
The highest medical payout by the company over the last year was for over £1.5 million, which was for a woman who received treatment after suffering a brain injury in California and was flown home by air ambulance.
Debenhams’ study revealed that the top medical condition for generating claims proved to be Gastroenteritis. While many would dismiss this as a 24-hour inconvenience, it can lead to dehydration and hospitalisation, as is proven by the case cited by Debenhams of one unfortunate holidaymaker who fell ill in America and would have faced a £100,000 bill for treatment if they hadn’t taken out travel insurance.
The second most common problem for which tourists claimed was injuries to knees and lower legs, followed by head injuries. Ear infections were also prevalent, along with heart conditions and allergic reactions, back pain, animal and insect bites. All these ailments could prove costly abroad with an overnight hospital stay in Spain following an allergic reaction resulting in a £3,000 bill and treatment for a broken leg in America costing as much as £40,000.
Top 10 reasons for medical claims while abroad:
1. Gastroenteritis (stomach bugs)
2. Injuries to knee and lower leg
3. Injuries to head
4. Ear infection
5. Heart related conditions
6. Chest infections
7. Skin problems (dermatitis, allergic reaction etc)
8. Injuries to the wrist and hand
9. Back pain and pelvic injuries
10. Animal or insect bite
Debenhams’ director of personal finance, Mike Hazell, said: “Despite the risks, many holidaymakers still consider travel insurance to be a luxury; this really is one area where it is not worth trying to cut financial corners. Medical treatment abroad, for even the less serious illnesses, can result in very large bills.”
Top 10 countries by volume of claims:
1. Spain
2. Egypt
3. Turkey
4. Greece
5. Cyprus
6. USA
7. France
8. Thailand
9. Bulgaria
10. Mexico
Editorial Team
The Editorial Team updates the ITIJ website daily, and works on features for the print edition. With expert industry knowledge and years of experience in writing about complex travel insurance issues, the Editorial Team is ready to investigate and report on the topics that matter most to ITIJ's readers.