Canarian Weekly
15-02-2013, 14:40
THE Foreign Office has warned that visitors toSpaincould face being billed for thousands of pounds for medical treatment if they are taken ill or injured while staying with friends and family.
Yet 10% of those aged 55 or more admit that they sometimes fail to take out travel insurance before going on holiday – even though more than half are suffering from a medical condition.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office research reveals that 35% of this age group do not take out travel insurance because they are “only going on a short break”.
Around 27% say it’s too expensive, while 18% believe they don’t need insurance because they are visiting friends or family.
Many also feel they can avoid buying a policy because they are covered by their bank.
Equally concerning is that 21% who do have travel insurance then risk invalidating it by failing to declare an existing condition because they are on medication to manage it.
And some 15% admit they wouldn’t update their insurance policy if they developed a medical condition, or were prescribed new drugs for an existing condition.
Every year, around 5,000 British nationals, find themselves seeking assistance from consular staff inSpain.
Some end up with life-changing bills of many thousands for expensive medical treatment, or specialist repatriation to theUK.
Mark Simmonds, Minister for Consular Policy, said: “People say ‘It won’t happen to me’, or ‘I’ll be fine’, but these are risky assumptions to make when deciding whether or not to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
“Our consular staff around the world deal with thousands of cases each year which prove that things can and do go wrong.
“Being prepared can mean the difference between the holiday of a lifetime and a holiday from hell. Being unwell abroad is stressful enough without the added pressure of having to find thousands of pounds to pay for treatment.”
Dave Thomas, Consular Regional Director forSpain, added: “If you have over-55s visiting you this year, tell them to get insurance before they travel.
“Taking out a comprehensive policy and declaring any medical condition may be an added expense, but it’s a small investment compared with what you could end up paying if something goes wrong.”
A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers said: “Travel insurance is a must for all holiday-makers.
“Policies are widely available for people of all ages, but the insurance industry recognises that some older people need help finding cover.
“Under the Age Agreement, which we developed with the Government and the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, older people unable to find cover at the first firm they approach should be directed to an alternative provider, who will be able to offer insurance, or to a signposting service.”
A British Embassy spokesman added: “All British visitors toSpain, including over-55s, also need a European Health Insurance Card, known as an EHIC.
“It is free, and you can apply on the NHS website, or by calling 0845 606 2030. If you then have an accident or become ill, you can get the necessary, state-provided medical healthcare at reduced cost, or sometimes free.
“But it is important to realise that an EHIC does NOT cover all your medical costs, private treatment or repatriation to theUK. You still need travel insurance to ensure you are fully covered for all eventualities.
“Many people think an EHIC is enough and don’t take out insurance. They will greatly regret it when they are forced to pay thousands of pounds for an air ambulance back to theUK, or have to pay for extra accommodation to stay inSpainto look after a hospitalised family member or friend they are travelling with.”
British Consulates can:
*Provide information about transferring money
*Give you a list of local doctors, lawyers, interpreters or funeral directors
*Contact friends and family back home for you if you wish
*Issue you with replacement travel documents
British Consulates cannot:
*Get you better treatment in hospital than is given to local people
*Provide medical repatriation or cover the costs of medical bills or repatriation
*Pay any other bills. or give you money
*Make travel arrangements for you
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/insurance-warning-tourists/)
Yet 10% of those aged 55 or more admit that they sometimes fail to take out travel insurance before going on holiday – even though more than half are suffering from a medical condition.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office research reveals that 35% of this age group do not take out travel insurance because they are “only going on a short break”.
Around 27% say it’s too expensive, while 18% believe they don’t need insurance because they are visiting friends or family.
Many also feel they can avoid buying a policy because they are covered by their bank.
Equally concerning is that 21% who do have travel insurance then risk invalidating it by failing to declare an existing condition because they are on medication to manage it.
And some 15% admit they wouldn’t update their insurance policy if they developed a medical condition, or were prescribed new drugs for an existing condition.
Every year, around 5,000 British nationals, find themselves seeking assistance from consular staff inSpain.
Some end up with life-changing bills of many thousands for expensive medical treatment, or specialist repatriation to theUK.
Mark Simmonds, Minister for Consular Policy, said: “People say ‘It won’t happen to me’, or ‘I’ll be fine’, but these are risky assumptions to make when deciding whether or not to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
“Our consular staff around the world deal with thousands of cases each year which prove that things can and do go wrong.
“Being prepared can mean the difference between the holiday of a lifetime and a holiday from hell. Being unwell abroad is stressful enough without the added pressure of having to find thousands of pounds to pay for treatment.”
Dave Thomas, Consular Regional Director forSpain, added: “If you have over-55s visiting you this year, tell them to get insurance before they travel.
“Taking out a comprehensive policy and declaring any medical condition may be an added expense, but it’s a small investment compared with what you could end up paying if something goes wrong.”
A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers said: “Travel insurance is a must for all holiday-makers.
“Policies are widely available for people of all ages, but the insurance industry recognises that some older people need help finding cover.
“Under the Age Agreement, which we developed with the Government and the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, older people unable to find cover at the first firm they approach should be directed to an alternative provider, who will be able to offer insurance, or to a signposting service.”
A British Embassy spokesman added: “All British visitors toSpain, including over-55s, also need a European Health Insurance Card, known as an EHIC.
“It is free, and you can apply on the NHS website, or by calling 0845 606 2030. If you then have an accident or become ill, you can get the necessary, state-provided medical healthcare at reduced cost, or sometimes free.
“But it is important to realise that an EHIC does NOT cover all your medical costs, private treatment or repatriation to theUK. You still need travel insurance to ensure you are fully covered for all eventualities.
“Many people think an EHIC is enough and don’t take out insurance. They will greatly regret it when they are forced to pay thousands of pounds for an air ambulance back to theUK, or have to pay for extra accommodation to stay inSpainto look after a hospitalised family member or friend they are travelling with.”
British Consulates can:
*Provide information about transferring money
*Give you a list of local doctors, lawyers, interpreters or funeral directors
*Contact friends and family back home for you if you wish
*Issue you with replacement travel documents
British Consulates cannot:
*Get you better treatment in hospital than is given to local people
*Provide medical repatriation or cover the costs of medical bills or repatriation
*Pay any other bills. or give you money
*Make travel arrangements for you
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/insurance-warning-tourists/)