Holiday hangover

Insurers do apply an acid test before agreeing alcohol related claims warns American Express Insurance Services.

Travel insurance is there to support anyone who gets into difficulty on holiday, but travellers should be aware that most policies stipulate you must observe the drink drive limits of the country you are in – even if you are not driving, advises American Express Insurance Services. Joanne Field, Marketing Manager, American Express Insurance Services “This is the acid test to determine whether an insurer will pay a claim for an accident or injury when the medical staff has advised that its causes have been alcohol related”

Travellers should not underestimate the financial hangover that may be caused if a claim is denied due to excess alcohol. Medical bills can quickly run into thousands of pounds abroad – even in Europe - and if an injured traveller needs to be returned to the UK costs can be astronomical:

£12-16,000 Air ambulance (Jet) – from the Canaries
£10-12,000 Air ambulance (turbo-prop) – from the Balearics
£1,200-3,000 Air taxi (propeller driven light aircraft) – Northern France
£1,800-4,000 Scheduled flight, seated economy with a Doctor escort – Mediterranean
£100-£800 Scheduled flight, seated economy without an escort – Mediterranean
£3,000-£6,000 Scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort – Mediterranean