“It is just not worth taking the risk.”
Local MP Roger Godsiff today warned constituents about the dangers of travelling uninsured as research from ABTA (The Association of British Travel Agents) revealed that 14% of people in the West Midlands travel abroad uninsured. In support of a campaign by ABTA and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Roger Godsiff is urging holidaymakers in Birmingham Hall Green to be prepared for their travels abroad and ensure they are properly covered.
Travelling abroad uninsured can cost thousands if a trip goes wrong, yet according to new research by ABTA eight out of ten (80%) of people from the West Midlands who travel uninsured don’t think it is necessary to take out insurance when they travel overseas, often leaving their families to pick up the pieces.
11% of people also think that a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) acts as a full insurance policy when abroad. However, an EHIC only provides access to state medical care in the European Economic Area and does not cover other costs such as bringing the individual back to the UK.
Worryingly 1 in 10 (9%) of 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.
Serious injuries can also lead to bills of thousands of pounds which can rapidly escalate to very substantial sums – and this is before the added cost of relatives flying out and staying in-destination to accompany a loved one.
The Hall Green MP said: “Medical costs arising from uninsured accidents abroad can be very significant indeed. In in addition to the worry over a sick or injured relative, it is often families who are presented with the bills, and the added stress of covering these. It is very important that we make sure that when we do travel overseas, we are covered if something goes wrong. It is just not worth taking the risk. Travel insurance really is a travel essential that is why I am very happy to support this campaign and urge all my constituents to take out travel insurance this summer.”
ABTA has an advice section on travel insurance for consumers. Visit www.abta.com/travelinsurance for full details.