Travel Medical Health Insurance

Falling ill on you travels can cost you and your family dear

The cost of falling ill on holiday can easily run into £1 million-plus so it's vital to have good travel health insurance cover for medical mishaps.

According to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in Mediterranean countries just 2 days in a general ward could sting you £1,600.

For 2 days in intensive care £5,000 is nearer the mark.

That may bring tears to your eyes.

But if you fall ill in the USA a busted leg or wrist could take you to the cleaners to the tune of £20,000-30,000.

Sting

Even something as simple as a stomach bug or sunburn can sting you big time - expect to cough up around £35 for each visit to the doctor in Mediterranean countries and £200 - 400 in the States (USA).

The cost of bringing you home to the UK depends on just how sick you are.

If you need a stretcher as opposed to an ordinary seat on a normal flight, take a deep breath.

The latest figures according the Foreign & Commonwealth Office are:-

• £30-35,000 Air ambulance (Jet) - East coast of USA
• £16,000 Air ambulance (Jet) - Canaries
• £8,000 Air ambulance (turbo-prop) - Balearics
• £2,000 Air taxi (propeller driven light aircraft) - Northern France
• £8,500 Scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort - Australia

• £4,000 Scheduled flight, seated club, with a nurse escort - West coast of USA
• £1,300 Scheduled flight, seated economy with a Doctor escort - Mediterranean
• £300-£500 Scheduled flight, seated economy without an escort - Mediterranean
• £3,000-£4,500 Scheduled flight, stretcher and Doctor escort - Mediterranean

The approximate figures above are supplied by the Commonwealth Office's partners, FirstAssist.