Long-haul travellers face huge medical bills

19 August 2008

Medical expenses cover “important” for long-haul trips

It has been suggested that a travel insurance policy with medical expenses cover is particularly important for those planning to go on long-haul holidays.

According to Malcolm Tarling, a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers, said that Britons travelling as far as countries like the USA could potentially face large medical bills if they travel without the right travel insurance cover and get injured or become ill.

Indeed, figures from FirstAssist Services illustrated the true cost of bills that travellers could face should they be taken ill while abroad; it would cost £45,000 just to get an air ambulance from the US to the UK.

Mr Tarling said: “Different countries present different risks. The further afield you travel – i.e. outside Western Europe – the more important medical expenses cover is.

He also said that the age group of travellers who are most likely to claim for medical costs is the over 70s.

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