when things go wrong - the costs

 

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We have extensive experience acting for insurers and understand the costs that occur when things go wrong abroad. An emergency abroad can be very expensive. For example, if an air ambulance is required that can cost anyway from £10,000 - £50,000 dependent on where in the world it is coming from and the level of care required during the journey. The British Embassy or any local High Commission will not pay these or any other medical costs or charges to help the injured person return.

 

It is important that holiday makers and business travellers have adequate travel insurance to cover the whole period whilst they are away and all activities that are to be pursued. A lot of insurance policies have a large number of excluded activities such as para-gliding, jet skiing, bungee jumping or scuba diving. Some policies would even exclude an accident that has occurred in a motorised vehicle such as a car.

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office gives some helpful advice as to what to look for in an insurance policy which should include:

  • medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad
  • 24 hour emergency service and assistance
  • personal liability cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property
  • lost and stolen possessions cover
  • cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover
  • extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies
  • personal accident cover
  • legal expenses cover
  • financial protection if your airline goes bankrupt before or during your trip

 

Many insurers will extend cover if you ask them. If not, the advice is to shop around for a specialist policy.

 

Even where losses are caused because of someone else's fault, those costs may not be recoverable. For example that person may not be insured or have any adequate insurance. For example, in Florida it is common for drivers to drive with as little as $10,000 worth of cover. That is unlikely to even cover the cost of medical bills following a serious accident or injury, and that is before you have had to be flown home.

 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have some very helpful information: http://www.fco.gov.uk/

 

For further information, please contact Daniel Scognamiglio in the Travel team by telephone 023 8085 7339 or email daniel.scognamiglio@bllaw.co.uk