Holidaymakers may be at risk this summer

July 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Government Foreign Office figures* reveal that almost half (48%) 15-24 year old travellers holidayed abroad last year without any insurance cover, meaning they would have to fork out for their own medical cover if needed, with the average claim for personal accident reaching a staggering £7,500.

This week nationwide solicitors, NewLaw has launched a campaign to holiday-makers to ensure they book adequate insurance well in advance of their travels and take every precaution to avoid risks while on holiday.

Foreign Office figures show that in 2011 / 2012, 3,793 British people were hospitalised abroad, equating to 70 people per week.  

Senior solicitor at NewLaw, Michael Imperato, who specialises in holiday based claims said: “Having an illness or accident while on holiday can be disastrous. While putting your life in danger, it can affect you emotionally and can cause worry to your travelling companions as well as family and friends at home.

“Many people assume that they don’t need to take out holiday insurance if they’re not going abroad but this is not the case. While having an accident abroad can be frustrating, complicated and often an expensive process, if something goes wrong here in the UK it can be equally as terrible and can result in significant financial loss if you’re left to fork out for unexpected bills or your expensive holiday is ruined.

“According to the recent ‘Know Before You Go’ Government campaign, 82 per cent of young Brits admit to taking part in more adventurous behaviour when on holiday. This is worrying particularly knowing that a quarter of all travellers did not take out holiday cover when travelling abroad last year.

“Our main message is to avoid risk and get covered. As a serious injury specialist we see so many incidences where people have been involved in near-fatal situations while on holiday.

The most common accidents to occur when on holiday include road accidents, pool side accidents and extreme sports such as speed boating, paragliding, parasailing, white water rafting, bungee jumping and sky diving.

NewLaw has outlined what to do if something goes wrong on holiday. Michael Imperato continued: “In the event of an incident, you need to report it to the local authority in that country. Keep evidence and contact specialist solicitors who are used to dealing with accidents abroad.  Such cases can be complex with different standards and different time limits applying from country to country. However, if you have travelled on a package holiday with a British company, you will be able to settle the claim in British courts – making the process far more straightforward.”

Solicitors at NewLaw are available to advise holiday goers on how to ensure they are covered on their summer break and are contactable via 0333 321 6409. NewLaw has also created a specialised holiday website which holidaymakers can visit for more information: www.injuredonholiday.co.uk.

Top tips on how to avoid paying out for holiday health hazards:

1. When taking out holiday insurance, don’t always opt for the cheapest quote. It is important to check the quote in detail to ensure it covers all your basic requirements.

2. When abroad only book day trips, excursions or extreme sports through your holiday representative, hotel or recommended agent to ensure that you are only using trusted, reputable and registered tour operators that will not put your health at risk.

3. When booking to participate in extreme sports always ensure that your holiday insurance has been taken out for the correct activity e.g. if you go paragliding or bungee jumping, then you should check that your insurance covers you for this.

4. If you are uncomfortable using any firm simply ask for a refund.

5. Ensure that when you hire any motorised equipment that you are given a full briefing on how to operate it and that you fully understand any risk associated with the utilising the equipment.

Recent high-profile cases of accidents abroad:

1. Five year old Chloe Johnson from south London died in a swimming pool while on holiday with her family in Egypt earlier this year. Her parents left her for a few minutes with her older teenage sister and returned to find their daughter had drowned. There were no lifeguards present and the ambulance took over an hour to arrive.

2. Nine year old Cerys Potter from the Vale of Glamorgan was thrown from an overcrowded raft during a family holiday in Turkey in 2010. The raft capsized in rapids on the Dalaman River and the two owners of the company have since been found guilty of reckless killing.

3. Nick and Victoria Mulligan spent the Bank Holiday weekend in Padstow with their four children when their boat ran out of control, throwing them into the water and running them over with its propeller. A report later found that the boat’s ‘kill cord’ was not attached to the driver, which could have cost the lives of the family. Victoria Mulligan, 39, and the couple’s four-year-old son suffered life changing injuries.

* statistics from gov.uk website

For further information contact Kiki Farr on 0845 521 0945