Travel Insurance and Air Ambulance Costs

Those who previously thought that travel insurance was an unnecessary expense should have changed their minds after seeing the recent report of the new bride who broke her back while on honeymoon in Greece. 

The bride fell 30-feet from a balcony, breaking her back in three places. Fortunately for them, it appears the fall will not leave her paralysed. 

The couple had not taken out travel insurance for their honeymoon and although they had the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) they had also neglected to do their homework on that, finding out too late that the EHIC does not cover everything…

Although the EHIC normally covers emergency medical care in a state-run facility of a participating EU country,  it does not cover much else – including the high cost of an air ambulance to repatriate you to the UK (bring you home by whatever means necessary).  

Even the most basic Backpackers policy covers potentially crippling expenses associated with medical treatment, personal liability, and legal expenses. 

This young couple found themselves faced with a bill for £16,000 to bring the bride home from Greece by air ambulance – money they did not have.  What many travellers do not realise is that no one is going to pick up the bill for you – including the British Consulate.  Without travel insurance the onus is on you, or your unsuspecting family, to pay up!

This couple had some luck, however, as an internet appeal raised funds from sympathetic folks who covered the cost for them.  Others may not be so lucky.   Under different circumstances, perhaps a fall from a balcony after a drunken night on the town, the victim may be looked upon with disdain for having been so irresponsible.

You now know the cost of an air ambulance from Greece.  Imagine the eye-watering costs to be brought back by air ambulance from more far-flung countries of the world, and the United States – where medical costs are staggeringly expensive.   If this couple had been on honeymoon in a non-EU country without insurance they would also have been faced with a huge hospital bill!

Pay a visit to the Foreign Office website, and their section on travel insurance, which details air ambulance costs (provided by FirstAssist Services Ltd) as follows:

• Canary islands – Air ambulance to UK – £12-16,000
• E coast of USA – Air ambulance to UK – £35-45,000
• Australia – via scheduled flight, with stretcher and MD escort – £15-20,000

The EHIC should never be used as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.  When taking out your travel insurance policy always check to make sure it covers all your planned actiivties - as well as emergency repatriation.   If you are unsure about anything don’t leave it to chance, call and ask.

Travellers may believe that because they enjoy good health they do not need insurance.  No matter how healthy you may be, illness can strike anyone at any time and accidents do happen.  Unless you are fantastically rich, and can afford to cough up tens of thousands of pounds at the drop of a hat, don’t take the risk!

Bypassing travel insurance because you resent taking a tiny chunk out of your holiday budget is just plain crazy.  The cost of insurance is not much more than the price of a few pretty cocktails at sunset!  Purchasing a policy shoud be right up there at the top of your ‘to-do’ list after choosing your destination and hotel and checking that your tour operator is ATOL licensed!

Although we are in the business and hope you will choose us, we don’t care where you purchase your travel insurance – just please get it somewhere! 

To see how inexpensive travel insurance can be and obtain a no-obligation quote – click here.

Flickr cc Image:  gwire