The Foreign Office has started a bit of a campaign to help holidaymakers get their priorities right when planning their next visit to friends and family overseas. Home comforts and gifts such as teabags and baked beans are often bought and packed well in advance whilst many leave travel insurance to the last minute or travel without any cover at all.
Research published by the FCO recently shows that over 12 million Brits are planning a trip to visit friends and family abroad this year, and that nearly half of young people did not take out travel insurance the last time they went overseas for the same purpose.
When you’re visiting people you know, particularly if it’s not the first time you’ve been, it’s so easy to feel like it’s a home from home and you don’t need to worry about the unexpected. But travelling without proper insurance leaves you at risk of facing pretty massive medical bills if things go wrong, or shelling out to replace a suitcase-full of clothes and toiletries if your luggage gets lost.
The FCO research shows that 39% of Brits have had to rely on their host for help when things have gone wrong during their holiday, which isn’t exactly the nicest “thanks for having us” gift.
Visiting a familiar destination and being surrounded by people you know doesn’t reduce the risk of having an accident, having something stolen or getting ill while you’re there. If it’s a malaria hotspot, make sure you take the same precautions you would on any other trip and don’t assume you’re immune just because it’s the seventh time you’ve been to the area.
Travelling without insurance may save you a few pounds, but the cost of getting medical treatment for even minor ailments can easily run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds, not to mention the cost of repatriation and replacement of valuable possessions.
So next time you’re packing the teabags and jars of Marmite to take to friends abroad, spare a few minutes to buy adequate travel cover – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Mondial Assistance - The Travel Insurance that wants to help
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