Average travel medical claims reaches £1,333
The average medical claim made by Britons who fall ill or have an accident in a foreign country now stands at a staggering £1,333.41 according to an analysis of 2010 claims data from Sainsbury's Travel Insurance.
The findings demonstrate just how expensive holiday illnesses and accidents can be and Sainsbury's Travel Insurance is urging holidaymakers to ensure they invest in good quality travel insurance so that, should the unthinkable happen, they are not left to foot expensive medical bills themselves.
Analysis of Sainsbury's Travel Insurance claims found that the most expensive country for medical attention in 2010 was the USA, with the average hospital visit costing its policy holders £4,725. The most inexpensive country in which to fall ill and require hospital treatment (of the top 10 most likely countries for a claim to originate) was Greece, however the average hospital visit was still a significant £422.
Scott Gorman, Sainsbury's Travel Insurance Manager, said: "It's vitally important for holidaymakers to protect themselves and their family when travelling abroad, and the best peace of mind you can have is by having a good quality travel insurance policy. Simply having a European Health Insurance Card - which is not an alternative to travel insurance - will only provide you with the same state-provided healthcare as a resident of the country you're visiting. This means that should you require medical attention you may face huge medical bills, which is a concern, especially in countries such as the United States the cost of medical treatment can be extortionate.
"It has been widely reported that healthcare costs are rising far faster than the rate of inflation, not just in the UK but in other countries as well, so ensuring you have adequate cover and peace of mind while you travel abroad is more important than ever.
"Of course, it's important to remember that travel insurance is needed not only to cover any medical attention you may require, it will also protect you from other unfortunate instances such as being a victim of crime or losing your luggage."
The Sainsbury's Travel Insurance statistics revealed that Spain was the country where more holidaymakers had to seek medical help than any other, followed by Turkey and Greece.
The research also analysed the most common reasons for seeking medical assistance over 2010. Ear infection was amongst the most common ailment, with the average bill for inpatient treatment amounting to £320. The most expensive hospital bills were for those unfortunate enough to suffer a heart attack abroad, resulting in medical expenses that averaged £8,147.