To think that people are idiots for not buying travel insurance

[MenyMeny]

Maybe it's because of the numerous high profile cases of people dying abroad but I don't understand why so few people seemingly buy travel insurance.

I've seen at least three cases where people have passed away with no travel insurance and are now fundraising to cover costs.

I was also on a SM post where numerous people were saying how they never bought travel insurance as they "didn't see the need" even when they admit to travelling abroad numerous times a year.

Frankly, if you can afford a trip abroad, you can afford cover or AIBU?

Yanbu

People who buy insurance shouldn't donate to these crowdfunders.

People who don't buy insurance should.

In effect, insurance is a regulated form of crowdfunding where you make your donation in advance based on the calculated risk of you being one of the unlucky ones. Then obviously some small number of those who bought the insurance (contributed to the crowd funder) are unlucky and something bad happens, and all the donations (premiums) of the lucky folk who didn't suffer misfortune are used to help them.

If you don't buy insurance you'll be relying on someone elses generosity to bail you out if things go wrong so it's only right and proper that you should give to others in that situation.

I prefer the formal pay-in-advance route.

I've travelled on numerous occasions and thankfully have never needed to use it. I've always preferred to have the cover just in case. I just don't understand people at times.

@OpizpuHeuvHiyo That's such a clever way of explaining it. Fascinating

I've often thought anyone leaving the Country, ought to have to show evidence of it, before being allowed on a plane.

Many bank accounts include travel insurance. Mine does, so I never take out additional insurance. My DH puts the kids on his work policy.

Agree. It's crazy!

Especially when it's so cheap. DD just paid £7 for a European city break she's going on in the autumn.

Should be compulsory on entry to every country (except your own)!

It would never occur to me to travel without insurance for at least health coverage, but I do get the full package for delays, cancellation etc these days.

That's fine then. You don't travel without insurance.

Especially if you're going to America. MIL was visiting a friend over there and she had a stroke. She was hospitalised and very well cared for, and luckily had insurance which covered the cost. She saw the hospital bill though, it was about sixty grand if I remember rightly.

Indeed. Conversely the family who had a member stuck in ICU in Egypt and they couldn’t/wouldn’t pay the bill and his life support was unplugged.

Absolutely! I’ve gotten sick few times while abroad and it’s a no brainer. Although in one place my insurance covered only a very shitty hospital; when I went to the better one I paid out of pocket but was luckily relatively cheap. Since then I check in advance what are the approved hospitals with the insurance I buy.

Because a huge amount of people don't understand what it covers and why it would be necessary.

Loads of people think it's only there for lost luggage or if you miss the plane so say they don't need it when in fact the key thing you are covering is astronomical medical costs and repatriation.

We are so used to not paying for healthcare people just don't think. There absolutely no way I'm going to the US without some solid insurance in place.

I always buy it within minutes of booking the holiday. It’s so cheap as well but we are both in our thirties and no health issues. I know it can be quite costly if you have a health issue.

Its really expensive if you have some pre existing conditions so some people probably just risk it.

I think it should be mandatory. I hate crowdfunders for things like this - totally avoidable. Travel insurance is pretty cheap, considering how much some people spend on new clothes for going away, tat at the airport, then eating and drinking while they are away, they could easily forgo a couple of purchases to get insurance cover, even if they have a pre-existing condition.

I wouldn’t contribute to these appeals. Though it must be a stressful nightmare if the traveller hasn’t taken the insurance and some poor relative is left to pick up the tab if they die uninsured.

Please don’t think travel insurance is just for going abroad! Ive bought it twice this year for UK holidays. Yes some things are easier if you are on your country of origin but it’s still very much needed for more local breaks!

YANBU
Too many people with the "Ir'll be reet, nothing'll happen to me" attitude.
Just take out the insurance, takes minutes! Not worth the risk.
A family friend took ill on holiday, lots of care in a hospital then his body had to be flown back 😥💔
Can't imagine what that would have been like without insurance cover to pay for it.

Obviously it's sensible to have insurance.

But, I hesitate to call dead/seriously injured/suddenly bereaved people idiots. I'm not sure what good it does.

Travel insurance is pretty cheap,

Not for everyone!!
Try getting affordable travel insurance while being treated for ( or years after being treated for) cancer , or heart disease ( which a lot of you will be at some point…)

I buy immediately I book an holiday. It was £42 for a family insurance (5 of us ) when I booked some weeks ago and it means peace of mind.
I know a guy crowdfunding 2 weeks ago because he went on holiday without insurance and had an accident on a quad bike. He was fundraising for his hospital bill, return to the uk and then to pay back the quad bike company as he drove where he shouldn’t go and their insurance won’t cover it either. So not wise in my opinion

Yea, it might not be cheap for everyone, I appreciate we're all different.
Mine was twenty quid and that was with the youngest on there too as we (touch wood) have no conditions to declare.
Even if it does run into a few hundred though for example - is it worth the risk to not take it out?!
You never know what's going to happen.

It should be mandatory.

Always forward your insurance details to someone before you travel; if you get hurt or ill it is so much easier for your family to sort hospital bills out.

People should also share their travel insurance details with someone they aren't travelling with, especially given that it is likely the documents will be in their emails rather than in printed form. If they are unconscious or dead then unless someone else knows their insurance details they won't be able to make a claim for hospital or repatriation costs.

Having been in a situation where travel insurance was needed to the tune of multiple thousands (and we thankfully had it) I would never, ever, ever, ever go without it. Sometimes bad things do happen. We paid about £30 for the insurance and without it the treatment would have cost us everything we own and having to sell our house.

(Still hate insurers though - utter knobs, and tried to get out of paying at every turn so expect to have to fight them if you do come to claim!)