The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has said all holidaymakers need to have a certain document with them when travelling internationally. As the government’s Foreign Affairs department, one of the FCDO’s many roles is to regularly keeps Brits updated on all things travel.
And a new update issued on Thursday, November 14, warns anyone planning to travel internationally that they could “face a big bill” if they don’t have a travel insurance policy with them. A post from the FCDO’s official X account reads: “Heading overseas soon?
“Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance, or you could face a big bill. Did you know a quad bike accident in Greece could cost over £80,000 for surgery and medical evacuation?”
Further guidance on Gov.uk explains that adequate insurance should cover any existing physical or mental health conditions – including any that are currently under investigation – and any activities you will be doing whilst you are away. It adds: “If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.”
Examples given include the above, as well as if you were to “fall and break your leg in Spain , you will need hospital treatment and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation”, costing upwards of £25,000. And if you were to come down with a “stomach bug or infection treated in a hospital in the USA and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation”, this could be upwards of £150,000 in medical costs.