Travel advice and holiday information organisation ABTA has issued a series of checks for tourists to consider before purchasing insurance for their holidays. This comes in the wake of a family accusing a Turkish hospital of keeping their grandfather ‘hostage’ during a vacation.
Malcolm Stocker, a former pub landlord, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Ahu Hospital in Marmaris, Turkey, after being diagnosed with pneumonia and falling into a coma. Despite Malcolm now being out of his induced coma, according to his family, the hospital is refusing to discharge him until they settle his £41,000 medical bill.
The family, who were unable to secure travel insurance for Malcolm due to his pre-existing health conditions, have so far raised nearly £5,000 through fundraising efforts. Their goal is to arrange an evacuation flight for Malcolm, which typically costs around £20,000.
ABTA advises all holidaymakers to secure travel insurance before embarking on their trip and to verify how much the policy will cover. The organisation recommends that policies should provide up to £2million of medical cover for European trips and at least £5million for travels elsewhere in the world.
While these figures may seem exorbitant, medical expenses can be extremely high globally, especially in the USA where the average cost per person in 2022 was $13,493 (£10,650), reports the Express.
ABTA has advised holidaymakers to thoroughly check if their chosen insurance policy includes repatriation coverage. Repatriation, while not a pleasant thought for any traveller, ensures that those who fall seriously ill or pass away can be swiftly returned to the UK, either via a scheduled flight or an air ambulance if required.
Most standard policies do cover repatriation, but it’s always wise to confirm this, with most providers detailing it under ‘key features’. Additionally, travellers should verify if their travel insurance will cover them in case their trip is extended due to health issues.
If recovery time abroad is needed, accompanying family members may face unexpected accommodation costs. Ensuring your travel insurance covers such scenarios can help avoid hefty hotel bills and ensure a safe return home if the original flight is missed.