Britons abroad ‘taking risks without proper insurance cover’

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UK holidaymakers could be risking thousands of pounds in medical bills by failing to check their travel insurance covers some sports.

Glasgow, United Kingdom, August 22, 2011 — It is fair to say that going on holiday is an exciting event that people tend to look forward to, but it seems that too many Britons are failing to ensure they are properly covered for their getaway as they rush about packing and exchanging their money.

According to president of the not-for-profit Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Apil) David Bott, too many people are jetting off and enjoying risky activities such as waterskiing and go-karting without ensuring they are covered by their travel insurance policies should a worst-case scenario occur.

A recent survey by Apil found that most people who go abroad for leisure breaks rate their medical cover as the single biggest priority when it comes to buying travel insurance, but this could be null and void if they take part in sports that are not included in a particular cover package.

Mr Bott explained that if somebody is injured then costs for medical treatment and repatriation can be extremely expensive if such expenditure is not included in a travel insurance document.

And the repercussions of being underprepared where such cover is concerned can last longer than just arriving back in the UK and returning to good health, because legal expenses and long-term medical care and other such bills are not going to easily go away if a person has opted for too basic a cover plan.

Despite Apil’s poll revealing that people take the medical aspect of buying travel insurance seriously, their concern ends when it comes to dangerous activities and sports.

Mr Bott said: “It is just as important as anything else if you’re going to get into the holiday spirit and go quad biking, jet skiing or kayaking for example. Even paintballing and riding some mopeds are excluded from essential cover. Have fun and enjoy throwing caution to the wind on holiday, but be prepared.”

Apil is heading up a national campaign to encourage travellers to check their travel insurance documentation and to top it up with the necessary extras if needs be.

At the same time, holidaymakers who do enjoy the thrill of a dangerous activity or extreme sport have been advised by an expert to behave responsibly when away.

Head of travel insurance at Direct Line Tom Bishop said that Britons can still have a great time on their overseas break without getting into trouble.

He added that it is important for people heading abroad not to do anything they would not otherwise do at home and to consider the consequences of their actions.

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