Travellers without insurance believe government will cover e

A recent survey has shown may British holidaymakers often forgo travel insurance because they believe the government wil

Travel Insurance News - 06/10/2011

<< Kenyan tourism industry threatened by second kidnapping | Travel News | German airbus workers on strike >>

The news comes via the Consumer Trends survey conducted by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), which showed that around 20 per cent of holidaymakers are put themselves at the risk of having to pay potentially expensive medical bills while overseas. Experts say many are doing so simply because they think state coverage extends abroad – a myth that has proven costly for some.

Also revealed in the report was the fact that 17 per cent of travellers believed that possessing a European Health Insurance Card was enough cover for adequate medical services throughout the EU. However, it only provides basic treatment from state medical bodies and does not cover the high cost of repatriation back to the United Kingdom.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Lynda St Cook said that officials were very concerned about the number of Britons heading overseas without comprehensive coverage and are later forced to pay out of pocket. She said in such cases travellers should be aware that British consulates or embassies can help with contacting family members and providing information about transferring money to and from the UK, but could not fly them home or pay hospital bills in the case that they don’t have enough money.

<< Kenyan tourism industry threatened by second kidnapping | Travel News | German airbus workers on strike >>