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Original poster

To think that it should be illegal to go abroad without travel insurance

434 replies

AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 18:46

A friend has just put a plea for GoFundMe donations on our WhatsApp group as one of her cousins was involved in a car crash whilst on holiday in Spain, ending up in hospital with multiple bad fractures. He was uninsured so the family have been left unable to pay for his hefty ambulance fees, surgery, hospital stay etc. To make matters worse he isn’t fit to fly commercially and instead needs to be medically evacuated home to the UK via private air ambulance.

It feels like a yearly occurrence - someone begging for help to get their relative home after they’ve been stupid/naive enough to leave the country without adequate travel insurance. Surely it should be like having your passport - you can’t board a plane or gain entry to a country abroad without it?!

OP posts:
MalcolmMoo · 23/05/2025 19:31

Agree we’re going to Croatia next week and insurance cost us £30 for the three of us, overall holiday is £1100. So if you can afford a holiday you can afford travel insurance.

Hedgingmybetching · 23/05/2025 19:31

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

My disabled 80 year old Mum can't travel to America because of this reason however she can still get European insurance it just costs a bit more and she works it into the cost of her holiday. Most insurers cover long term conditions you just have to declare them and pay extra. If your relative is at risk surely they should be extra vigilant in getting insurance as they're more likely to need it! 😬

OnlyDespairRemains · 23/05/2025 19:29

No, it should not be illegal, it should remain a choice. Otherwise as a PP has already said, the price will just go up. I’m fed up with paying the price for other people’s stupidity as it is. If others want to do so via go fund me, then that’s their choice too - it’s not hurting anyone.

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:28

AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 19:27

Do you have potentially millions in the bank to cover all eventualities, including the possibility of medical evacuation? If the answer is no then he is just being irresponsible.

Show quote history

This is frustrating. Yes, he and my wider family have the money to pay for this

ohtowinthelottery · 23/05/2025 19:28

But for every story you read of someone who needs funding/rescuing who hasn't got any travel insurance, there's a story of someone who did take insurance out but the insurer won't pay out because of some health condition they'd forgotten about/didn't think was relevant to declare and for which the underwriter uses it as an excuse not to pay out - leaving them uninsured when they thought they were.

So if it is made compulsory then the industry will need a complete overhaul.

Jc2001 · 23/05/2025 19:28

AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 18:46

A friend has just put a plea for GoFundMe donations on our WhatsApp group as one of her cousins was involved in a car crash whilst on holiday in Spain, ending up in hospital with multiple bad fractures. He was uninsured so the family have been left unable to pay for his hefty ambulance fees, surgery, hospital stay etc. To make matters worse he isn’t fit to fly commercially and instead needs to be medically evacuated home to the UK via private air ambulance.

It feels like a yearly occurrence - someone begging for help to get their relative home after they’ve been stupid/naive enough to leave the country without adequate travel insurance. Surely it should be like having your passport - you can’t board a plane or gain entry to a country abroad without it?!

I agree not having travel insurance is idiotic, noone is forcing people to contribute to those fund me type websites. If it's a chance they're willing to take then it's on them. If people want to help them, that's also on them.

andtheworldrollson · 23/05/2025 19:27

Do they really need to be brought back to the uk or is that a preference ?

Original poster
AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 19:27

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:21

It isn't that the insurance is too expensive for my family member, he genuinely cannot find a provider who will insure him. We would also fully cover any cost if he became unwell. that is the risk he takes.

However, OP just wants people to be banned from travelling without insurance

Do you have potentially millions in the bank to cover all eventualities, including the possibility of medical evacuation? If the answer is no then he is just being irresponsible.

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 23/05/2025 19:27

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:21

It isn't that the insurance is too expensive for my family member, he genuinely cannot find a provider who will insure him. We would also fully cover any cost if he became unwell. that is the risk he takes.

However, OP just wants people to be banned from travelling without insurance

You and family have hundreds of thousands of pounds sitting around should the worst happen to your family member?

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:26

AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 19:24

From my experience you can get insured no matter what condition you have, but for a hefty pricetag. DD for example is not easy to insure whatsoever due to pre existing conditions - her insurance for 1 month in Australia came in at £500, whilst most of her friends were closer to £50! It’s the price you pay to go abroad, no I would not travel without it nor do I think anyone should be able to. Travelling is a luxury, not a right. To knowingly make yourself a liability is simply selfish.

Show quote history

You are incorrect. It is not too expensive, no one will cover him due to a disability and complex health conditions.
If he needed healthcare abroad he has more than adequate funds to pay for it himself.
So why should he be prevented from travelling?

Tiredofwhataboutery · 23/05/2025 19:26

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

I know several people who don’t holiday abroad because they can’t get affordable insurance due to health conditions. It’s really reckless to travel without insurance especially if it’s more likely you’ll need treatment due to health condition / ill health.

Im sure it won’t happen to me but if it does I’ll just put up a go fund me is not a back up plan.

TigerRag · 23/05/2025 19:25

AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 19:24

From my experience you can get insured no matter what condition you have, but for a hefty pricetag. DD for example is not easy to insure whatsoever due to pre existing conditions - her insurance for 1 month in Australia came in at £500, whilst most of her friends were closer to £50! It’s the price you pay to go abroad, no I would not travel without it nor do I think anyone should be able to. Travelling is a luxury, not a right. To knowingly make yourself a liability is simply selfish.

Show quote history

I couldn't get insurance when I was undergoing investigation because I didn't have a diagnosis

Nicknacky · 23/05/2025 19:24

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

Does he have sufficient funds to cover any eventuality? If not, then no, sadly he shouldn’t go abroad.

Original poster
AusBoundDD · 23/05/2025 19:24

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

From my experience you can get insured no matter what condition you have, but for a hefty pricetag. DD for example is not easy to insure whatsoever due to pre existing conditions - her insurance for 1 month in Australia came in at £500, whilst most of her friends were closer to £50! It’s the price you pay to go abroad, no I would not travel without it nor do I think anyone should be able to. Travelling is a luxury, not a right. To knowingly make yourself a liability is simply selfish.

OP posts:
Sansan18 · 23/05/2025 19:23

A neighbour of mine had a traumatic spinal injury when a rugby scrum collapsed.He had travelled about 30 miles from N Ireland into the Republic of Ireland for the game.
This happened when he was in his early 20's and I only ever knew him as a middle aged man.Decades of his life were spent trying to repay hospital fees and it was really stressful for the family.It's a very different scenario but in his case he had to pay every penny back.

MissAmbrosia · 23/05/2025 19:23

And worth mentioning that an EHIC card ony entitles you to emergency treatment on the same basis as the locals. Have to pay in France to see the Doctor? You also have to pay.

Shudacudawuda · 23/05/2025 19:22

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

Well yes, who'd risk it? I know several people who can't go abroad for this reason.

bugalugs45 · 23/05/2025 19:22

I’m off on holiday tomorrow ,
my insurance for a year worldwide has cost me £13 , luckily i don’t have any health conditions hence why it’s so cheap , BUT after reading the horror story re the 28 year old & her heart in Turkey, sorry her name escapes me but it’s been in the news , im wondering whether it worth paying for the best kind of insurance …
But yes I agree in principle,
likewise with pet insurance

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:21

It isn't that the insurance is too expensive for my family member, he genuinely cannot find a provider who will insure him. We would also fully cover any cost if he became unwell. that is the risk he takes.

However, OP just wants people to be banned from travelling without insurance

TheHouseofGirth · 23/05/2025 19:20

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

Yes. That's how it is for the global majority.

WhatALump · 23/05/2025 19:19

Totally agree. My DF passed away while in a South American country without travel insurance. Was a bloody nightmare from start to finish.

Allseeingallknowing · 23/05/2025 19:18

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

Not unless he is able to pay for medical treat he might need !

TheHouseofGirth · 23/05/2025 19:18

It is illegal for certain less privileged passport holders. You can't get a tourist visa without travel insurance if you are from S Asia, most of Africa and the M East. The logic being that you will cadge off the state.
Ironically, I have only ever seen British or Americans setting up Go Fund Mes for travel accidents.

parakeet · 23/05/2025 19:17

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

I think it's more likely that their insurance is very expensive. And yes I do think they should not travel if they can't afford the insurance.

MissAmbrosia · 23/05/2025 19:16

lnks · 23/05/2025 19:11

My family member can't get travel insurance because of several long term conditions. Are you suggesting he should never be able to travel abroad?

This is very sad, but he should be aware then that if the worst happens he won't be covered.