Britons asked to check travel insurance after family forced to foot £41,000 bill

Travel advice and holiday information organization ABTA has issued a number of checks that holidaymakers need to consider before buying insurance for their holidays. It comes after a family accuses a Turkish hospital of holding their grandfather “hostage” while on holiday.

Former pub owner Malcolm Stocker was admitted to the intensive care unit of Ahu Hospital in Marmaris, Turkey, after being diagnosed with pneumonia and falling into a coma. Despite the fact that Malcolm is now out of an induced coma, according to his family, the hospital is refusing to discharge him until they pay his £41,000 medical bill.

The family, who were unable to secure travel insurance for Malcolm due to his pre-existing health conditions, have so far raised almost £5,000 through fundraising efforts. Their aim is to arrange an evacuation flight for Malcolm, which usually costs around £20,000.

ABTA advises all tourists to take out travel insurance before they start their trip and check how much the policy will cover. The organization recommends that policies provide medical cover of up to £2 million for European travel and at least £5 million for travel elsewhere in the world.

While these figures may seem exorbitant, medical expenses can be extremely high globally, especially in the US, where the average cost per person in 2022 was $13,493 (£10,650), the Express reports.

ABTA advised holidaymakers to check carefully whether their chosen insurance policy includes repatriation cover. Repatriation, while not a pleasant thought for any traveller, ensures that those who become seriously ill or die can be returned to the UK quickly, either by scheduled flight or by air ambulance if necessary.

Most standard policies cover repatriation, but it’s always wise to confirm this, with most providers detailing this under ‘key features’. In addition, travelers should check that their travel insurance will cover them if their trip is extended due to health issues.

If recovery time is required abroad, accompanying family members may face unexpected accommodation costs. Making sure your travel insurance covers such scenarios can help you avoid high hotel bills and ensure a safe return home if your original flight is missed.