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?

Can you let us know which company it is that will provide anybody with travel insurance for £20, regardless of health conditions or other personal circumstances?

Thanks in advance.

I know somone who was taken ill abroad, because they had insurance they were flown home with a nurse to accompany them to the local hospital all arranged by the insurance company who also arranged for the medical notes to be translated by a bi ligual doctor. Now tell me me you dont need to buy insurance and you will hopefully find people who will fund the same for you.

I recall my parents having that type of travel policy ie a perk of a bank account. They only realised after several holidays abroad that they discovered that it didn't actually cover them, as one of them was older than the maximum age and they both had pre existing medical conditions. It's always a good idea to check all the small print, to ensure that the cover meets your needs.

As with all insurance it is a management of the risk for the 7 to 14 days while you are out of the country. The insurance company takes a view based on historical information re illnesses happening while on holiday and charges you accordingly.

@GnomeDePlume

Pretty much. Ghic covers the basic emergency care needed (although not always without cost)

We're so spoiled by nhs that people assume ghic provides same cover has here. You'll get the cover for the country you're in. Many countries you have to pay to see a Gp & pay a daily charge for a hospital stay

Insurance is needed to cover beyond that. Extra medical costs such as specialist travel home if needed. Also costs for other people on the policy to have continued stay & travel home

We all have cover through my bank. If we didn't I'd buy it.

Not a chance I would give money to a go fund me for someone not having insurance. I don't really get why anyone would. Glorified begging.

My friends mother lived abroad and died there repatriation of her body was very expensive. So if you live abroad have a think about this.

Travel insurance should be compulsory.

Have annual European cover with asthma mentioned and got gold cover with Admiral. Cost for the year £51. Have gold cover due to the various tech I take with me.

For all those saying they always take it out etc..... i wonder if you check the small print?

e.g Do you inform your insurer that you went to the GPs 18months ago for a relatively minor condition, that may well double your premium.... don't tell them & they have good grounds to reject your claim.

Insurance via bank accounts is often very limited, much like the breakdown cover they sometimes provide, which in my case is a 10 mile tow max and if its ooh, that is not good at all.

Exactly this!!! None of the basic packages will even cover me, and I need the specialist insurers. Their paperwork and customer service is usually extremely humane and personable, but the costs 😱

Can easily double the price of a cheap holiday.

Thank you.

I think a lot of people don't understand what cover they need. I have heard people say they don't need to carry the GHIC because they have insurance. Not realising that those emergency, lifesaving, treatments can be stonkingly expensive.

Once bitten!

Those saying it should be mandatory .... it kind of is. It was added on by your travel agent many years ago, back when low cost airlines and online shopping didn't exist and nearly everyone booked a package holiday via a high street travel agent. Travel agents then had to have training on insurance because of financial regulations. So then it became easier to tell customers that they had to have insurance but they could arrange their own, and could add details onto their holiday once arranged.

If you've booked online, you'll notice you get prompted to take the company's insurance or tick the box to say "arranging my own".

It's not up to the travel company to then police that you have actually got adequate insurance for the trip you've got. They've done their bit in saying you should have it.

Which 4% said you are unreasonable @MenyMeny You are spot on.

Stop GoFundMe money raising for stupidity!!!

Any travel insurance i have ever taken out, requires a GHIC or previously the older EHIC (for European travel)

Anyone who doesn't have a GHIC may well find they have no medical cover at all.

I remember reading about a woman who was around 7-8 months pregnant, and went on holiday to America - with no insurance.

I think it bankrupted her.
I would categorise that as a cautionary tale, but anyone with half a brain knows how expensive medical care is in North America.

It's one of those life skills they probably need to teach at school really. Same with managing money, maintaining a car, etc.

DD is interrailing at the moment and ai had to make exactly this point to her as although she sensibly took it without me telling her to she seemed to think I was babying her by insisting on havung copies of her passport, insurance and interrail QR code. She can look after herself but far harder when you're unconscious!

My husband drove to Spain this year, and on the way back he broke down.

Long story short: the car's still in Spain!

Luckily he bought the best policy that the RAC provided, so they going to pay for the car to be repatriated.

You still can't afford not to.

I've got epilepsy, and my insurance premiums are elevated, so i understand how you feel.

@OpizpuHeuvHiyo
This

🤯 Man alive! 🤯

£40k!

YANBU. It should be a requirement of traveling abroad.

I get so pissed off at the fundraisers that expect us to bail people out who didn’t have the good sense to get insurance.

When I’ve probed deeper with the people who say they ‘don’t feel they need it’ they usually say it’s because they aren’t expecting to get any medical treatment while they’re away!!

Last night I paid £8 for me and DH for three nights in Italy. I said as I was booking it that it should be a legal requirement to travel like MOT.

In France a few years ago we had to help oit a youn man who suffered a freak eye injury from bottle that shattered in the high heat (it was the 2019 heatwave). We mainly helped him to the urgent care clinic in the small town we were staying in as he spoke no French. It transpired they needed to send him to the hospital - located in the nearest city about 20 km away.

He didn't have an EHIC (as it was at the time) or insurance. His look of shock when we broke it to him he was going to have to pay for the ambulance.