United Kingdom Brits Tender

The Association of British Insurers ABI today reveals that the average medical claim on travel insurance surpassed 1300 for the first time ever in 2018 reaching 1368. Claims can easily reach the tens of thousands of pounds and one recent example saw a couple in America require nearly 600000 worth of support from their travel insurer.The ABIs figures also show that the total amount paid to Brits abroad in 2018 - at 400 million - was at its highest level since 2010. In the past 10 years the average medical claim has nearly doubled from 768 in 2008. Despite the increase in average claims costs across the board the average premium actually decreased to 38 whilst older travellers saw the biggest price fall.The stats for 2018 reveal that Overall the average claim reached 800 the highest amount on record. The majority of claims paid were to support 153000 people in need of emergency medical treatment abroad thats 3000 per week to the tune of 209 million with a record-breaking average medical claim of 1368. 145 million was paid out for 167000 cancellation claims with the average claim also reaching a new high of 869. Finally 79000 people were supported through the loss of baggage or money to the tune of 17 million at an average of 214 per claim. With millions of UK travellers potentially taking the risk of going abroad without cover this summer the ABI is urging consumers to buy cover sooner rather than later ensuring that it is suitable for their needs and not just the cheapest option.ABI Member Case StudiesExamples of recent claims highlight just how expensive overseas medical claims can be. They also illustrate the need to avoid reliance on an EHIC which only provides cover for state healthcare services in the country youre visiting if it is part of the European Economic Area EEA Vicious Cycle Allianz Assistance helped a 19-year-old travelling in Cambodia who suffered a serious knee injury following an incident on a mountain bike. After being hospitalised stabilised and then flown back to the UK the claim cost 48733. Price of the USA Two customers of Direct Line Group were struck by a drunk driver in America. Both required serious medical treatment and the claim cost 587000 in total. Cruise Control Aviva dealt with a claim involving a customer on a cruise ship. Following a stroke he was safely disembarked and then flown to America in an emergency air ambulance for surgery. In total the claim cost around 118000.EHICcup An Axa customer had to be repatriated from Spain for an urgent heart transplant which would not be covered under the EHIC. This claim cost 76528 in total.Commenting on the stats the ABIs Senior Travel Policy Adviser Charlie Campbell said The fact that a quarter of Brits travel abroad without the right travel insurance is incredibly worrying. Few people have the luxury of being able to afford a surprise 800 bill let alone one that runs into the tens or hundreds of thousands if they fall ill abroad. Anyone travelling this summer should avoid unnecessary financial and emotional stress by ensuring they have the right cover in place. As not all policies are the same people should look for cover that meets their needs rather than the cheapest option.