Young Brits warned: Get travel insurance

travel insurance

One in three young Brits are going on holiday without travel insurance – risking their families having to pay a fortune if things go wrong.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and travel association ABTA revealed today that 38 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds don’t think it is necessary to buy travel insurance before going overseas.

Medical costs from uninsured accidents abroad can be huge, and it is often parents who have to pay with no hope of reclaiming the money. The cost of bailing out a loved one can run into thousands but, despite this, almost half of those surveyed said they are willing to take the risk.

One in five also think a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) acts as a full insurance policy. But, an EHIC only provides access to state medical care in the European Economic Area and does not cover other costs such as bringing the individual back to the UK.

It can cost £500 to treat a sprained ankle in a popular holiday resort like Corfu, to £15-20,000 for a scheduled flight, stretcher and medical escort from Australia.  Serious injuries can also lead to bills of thousands of pounds a day.

FCO Minister Mark Simmonds said: “It’s the time of year when people are preparing to travel abroad for summer trips, including some for the first time without their parents. Arranging comprehensive travel insurance should be at the top of their to-do list before departing. An accident or emergency abroad can end up costing thousands and it’s often the family who is left to cover the costs.

“Although we will do what we can to support people who encounter difficulties while abroad, the FCO cannot cover medical bills or fly them home. We urge all travellers, particularly young people, to think about the effect not having comprehensive insurance can have on both themselves and their families. Don’t leave it to others to pick up the pieces if things go wrong.”

ABTA Head of Communications Victoria Bacon said: “Every year ABTA sees tragic cases of young people who have had an accident or incident while on holiday overseas that requires very serious medical help. In some of these cases parents are presented with massive medical bills because their children went on holiday uninsured – and this is despite the cost of insurance being as little £25 for an annual policy.

“In extreme cases people have had to sell their house to cover the costs, or desperately try and get funds from their friends and family. Buying adequate travel insurance should be the top of every holidaymaker’s list”.