Hospital Costs Worldwide and Why Travel Insurance is Essential
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nobody plans on getting sick or injured while on holiday abroad. These are unplanned for situations, and the only way travellers can plan for these travel frustrations is with a travel insurance policy with emergency medical cover that includes evacuation and repatriation. Many tourists who have found themselves at the mercy of medical facilities abroad can testify that it is a nerve-wrecking experience especially when you are in a country where English is not widely spoken.
And even if you are not contending with the language barrier because you are not in an English-speaking country, the chances are that the currency exchange rate is against you and you are left paying a hefty medical bill for something as innocuous as a sprained ankle. Gastroenteritis, insect bite treatment, bronchitis and ear infection are other common medical emergencies suffered by travellers.
Travellers without the protective cover of travel insurance with medical cover, should they have the misfortune of falling ill or meeting with an accident and meet medical treatment, face a nightmare ahead. It is common practice for hospitals in countries like Germany, France, USA and Italy to want some sort of guarantee that payment will be made for any treatment you receive before even attending to you.
While you will receive treatment to be made comfortable and out of danger, more costly treatments will be held off until payment is secured. Escalating medical expenses not paid for may mean you cannot leave the country until the debt is settled. How do you pay for medical bills you cannot afford? Borrow from family and friends? Reportage, or worse, sell off your home? It is much simpler, and less worrying to make sure you have adequate travel insurance before you leave home.
Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance has provided eye-opening statistics on common medical claims and the top countries were UK holidaymakers received medical treatment in 2014.
The top 10 most common medical claims and corresponding average cost (in £) were:
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][ultimate_spacer height=”25″ height_on_tabs=”20″ height_on_mob=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInLeft”]Accident
Ear/Nose/Throat
Stomach Conditions
Respiratory Conditions
Skin Conditions
Bites/Stings
Infectious Diseases
Dental
Heart
Eye[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInDown”]£1,455 (R26,190)
£371 (R6,678)
£918 (R16,524)
£612 (R11,016)
£402 (R7,236)
£241 (R4,338)
£361 (R6,498)
£282 (R5,076)
£5,817 (R104,706)
£374 (R6,732)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][ultimate_spacer height=”25″ height_on_tabs=”20″ height_on_mob=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Spain received the number one spot for being the country where travellers sought the most medical help, followed by Greece and the USA.
When you leave South Africa’s shores, you leave behind the country’s medical system and support. In order to prevent unexpected emergency medical bills from burning a hole in your wallet, opting for travel insurance cover with comprehensive emergency medical benefits is highly recommended.
Leading travel insurance providers, Travel Insurance Consultants (TIC), Regent and Hollard have a range of innovative products to ensure that when you leave South Africa, you and your wallet (and family members should they be travelling with you) are well protected while you are away from home. Group cover is available for groups of 10 or more, including children travelling together.
Speak to Easy Travel Insurance today to find out how you can be covered on your next trip abroad.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
