Travel Insurers Pay £5.3 million Weekly Car Rentals
According to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), medical expense claims for policies have almost quadrupled in recent years due to more elderly people enjoying exotic holidays or gap years. The organisation says that the age of holidaymakers has played a big part in the rising number of claims, though medical costs have increased quicker than most kinds of inflation.
Last year, the cost of illness overseas cost insurers £275 million, in comparison to the £74 million in costs in 2004 – a 270% increase. This comes as the number of claims for emergency medical treatment abroad has risen to 337,000 from 120,000 during the same period. Broken down, this means insurers were spending £5.3 million a week on nearly 6,500 claims.
The most common illnesses that require medical treatment while British holidaymakers are abroad include: ear infections, heart problems, stomach upsets and allergies. The cost of treatment counts for 55% of the total bill of all claims paid by travel insurance providers, whereas it only accounted for 33% six years ago. Some of the claims being paid include: £11,000 for a broken arm, £20,000 for a heart infection and brain haemorrhage, £54,000 for a bipolar disorder diagnosis and doctor escort home, and £86,000 for a massive attack and air ambulance ride home.
