Now that summer is here, millions of Brits will be planning holidays abroad in the coming weeks. Going away should be an exciting experience and, if everything goes to plan, you’ll have lots of happy memories to look back on.
But travel can be unpredictable, with lots of factors outside of your control. A travel expert has warned holidaymakers to make sure they prepare for unforeseen events, otherwise they could face costly fees, especially when healthcare is concerned.
If you don’t buy travel insurance you could find yourself forking out thousands of pounds in healthcare costs, especially if you need to be flown home with a medical escort, Michael Foote, CEO of travel insurance comparison site Quotegoat.com, warns. For example, if you were to injure your back abroad and need to be flown home lying down, it can be extremely expensive, because it typically requires special arrangements such as an air ambulance or a medical escort on a commercial flight.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis says airline passengers could be owed £200 each if flight is delayed
This can cost from £25,000 to £100,000 depending on where in the world you’d need to fly from. Travel insurance can also protect you in case of trip cancellations or other unforeseen events.
Michael advises travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen circumstances. The insurance itself is not that expensive so it’s a worthwhile payment. Depending on your destination, the cost of insurance can range from as little as £10 to around £50.
As well as securing travel insurance, Michael also urges travellers to check visa and entry requirements of their destination to avoid any last-minute payments to obtain documents; book refundable options when it comes to hotels and holidays and to avoid withdrawing cash or using a credit card abroad.