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Warning to young Brits who travel uninsured
More than a third of young Brits don’t believe it’s necessary to take out insurance to travel overseas.
According to the latest figures from ABTA and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 38% of 16-24-year-olds travel uninsured.
Almost half claim the reason they don’t take out insurance is because they are willing to take the risk, while 16% of young people surveyed wrongly presumed that all of their treatment costs would be covered by the UK Government if they had an accident or fell ill while abroad.
"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," said FCO Minister Mark Simmonds.
"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 added: "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".
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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