Despite the rising costs of medical treatment abroad, a staggering 12% of British travellers went overseas without travel insurance in 2016.

It seems many people are unaware of the potential costs involved if they had to have medical treatment while on holiday.

We took a look at some of the costs:

• 1 night stay on a hospital ward in Spain  800+
• 1 night stay in an intensive care unit in Spain £1,200 - £1,500
• 1 night stay in an intensive care unit in USA £5,000+
• Angiogram in USA £15,000 - £20,000
• Heart Bypass operation in USA £40,000 - £80,000
• Air Ambulance from Spain £20,000 or the Canaries £25,000
• Air Ambulance from USA/Mexico £60,000 - £100,000

Getting the right cover 

Taking out a travel insurance policy will protect you against all of these costs, covering you for pre-existing conditions too, meaning you can relax and enjoy your holiday safe in the knowledge that you’re fully covered should you need any treatment.

Am I covered if I don’t have insurance?

As a British citizen you are also entitled to some free cover whilst abroad, but this is limited.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

An EHIC is a useful safety net when travelling in Europe, but is not a substitute for travel insurance.

The card will not cover you for any healthcare that would not normally be provided by the country you are visiting, so you will be treated on the same basis as residents of that country.

This may not cover the treatment you would expect to get free on the NHS and EHIC never covers repatriation costs in the event of illness or death. Most travel insurers will waive you policy excess if you provide your EHIC to the hospital prior to receiving treatment.

Apply for an EHIC here >

Medical treatment when travelling to Australia & New Zealand

If you are travelling to Australia or New Zealand and require medical treatment, you must enrol with Medicare. You do not need to enrol on arrival but you must do this on the first occasion after you receive treatment.

Once you have one this, inpatient and outpatient treatment is free of charge in a public hospital. Again please remember that as with EHIC, Medicare does not cover all treatment – full details can be found in the ‘Health Advice for Travellers’ booklet which can be obtained from your local post office.

Travel insurance covers you for a lot more than emergency medical treatment and covers your trip in the event of cancellation, baggage cover in the event it is lost, stolen or damaged, giving you complete peace of mind whilst abroad.

Get covered with Just Travel

We are here to help with any queries you may have around your insurance policy, and will find you cover so you can get back to planning your holiday and enjoying your break.

We cover travellers over 60 and have no upper age limits on single trip insurance. All pre-existing medical conditions are considered and specialist cruise cover is available too. Our UK based office is open 7 days a week.

Get a quote online or call our UK call centre 7 days a week on 0800 294 2967.

Source: Mintel Travel Insurance report Feb 2017.