Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
21 July 2014 09:04
The average holidaymaker medical claim now costs around £900, research shows
The average medical claim for a Briton who falls ill abroad is more than £900, figures show.
This figure is almost double of that seen a decade ago, while for a traveller aged 65 or older it is even higher - claiming just under £1,000 to cover medical bills.
The survey shows that heart-related conditions are number five in the top 10 reasons for medical claims - but people travelling with heart conditions and other ongoing medical problems can arrange pre-existing medical travel insurance.
But despite these figures, six million British holidaymakers are still travelling without arranging travel insurance, research shows.
Spain, Egypt and Turkey are the most likely destinations where a claim occurs, while the highest bills for medical treatment come from the US and Canada.
Tourists are being warned that the cost of treating everyday illnesses, such as stomach bugs and trips and falls, are likely to leave them shocked and it's not just serious health problems that need cover.
Gastroenteritis, usually thought to be a 24-hour annoyance, was found to be the most common medical condition that led to a claim, with symptoms including dehydration that can mean a trip to the hospital is in order.
The analysis of claims in the past year by Debenhams travel insurance shows t he average non-medical travel insurance claim is just over £400 - less than half of that seen on medical claims.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR MEDICAL CLAIMS
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)
8. Injuries to the wrist and hand
9. Back pain and pelvic injuries
10. Animal or insect bite
18 December 2018
The number of diabetes-related lower limb amputations has jumped by nearly a fifth in England over recent years, a leading charity has warned.
[more...]
15 December 2018
Older people are 50% more likely to take themselves to A&E if they live alone, a new study has revealed.
14 December 2018
Over 4.3 million older people in the UK are at risk of not getting the care they need just because of their postcode, new research has revealed.
13 December 2018
Space tourism could move one giant leap closer this week as Virgin Galactic expects to reach "space altitudes" for the first time.
12 December 2018
If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, regular home weighing could prevent you from excessive festive eating and drinking.
11 December 2018
Airlines that automatically cancel return flights when passengers fail to show for their outbound journeys are being warned they risk breaking consumer law.
08 December 2018
Providing better conditions for disabled passengers is one of the main aims of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.