New research from expat insurance provider William Russell has analysed international health insurance claims data and revealed that the most expensive country to get sick or injured while travelling without insurance is Denmark.
Denmark had the highest average claim at £5,569. Therefore, international health insurance is extremely important to protect your health and wallet when traveling abroad. Other countries, including Taiwan, Qatar and Lebanon, are also considered some of the most expensive to get sick without insurance.
Interestingly, Spain is seventh on the list. Since Brexit, Britons visiting Spain cannot simply go to hospital.
UK visitors should apply for a GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) before travelling to Spain or any EU country.
Holidaymakers are eligible for a GHIC card if they are legally resident in the UK and do not have health insurance provided by an EU country or Switzerland.
The government website explains: “The GHIC or EHIC entitles you to declare medical services you may need while travelling. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Spanish nationals. If you do not have the EHIC with you or you” if lost, You can obtain an interim replacement certificate by calling the NHS Overseas Medical Team on +44 191 218 1999. “
However, it warns: “It is important to purchase appropriate travel insurance for your needs. GHIC or EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance and you should purchase both before your trip. It does not cover all health-related expenses, e.g., medical Repatriation, continuing medical and non-emergency treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.”
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Medical evacuation is the most expensive claim in health insurance, with an average claim of £10,237.
The other expensive category is pregnancy complications and emergency procedures, which refers to any pregnancy problems travelers have while traveling, including the need for an emergency C-section.
The 10 most expensive types of health insurance claims:
medical evacuation
Pregnancy complications and emergency procedures
cancer treatment
newborn cover
Terminal illness and palliative care
home care costs
Advanced Diagnostics and Genomic Testing
Prosthetic Implants and Appliances
Hospital Accommodation and Nursing
hospital treatment
William Russell’s team also shares their top tips for ensuring “you’re fully covered when you travel abroad”.
They said: “If you are planning to travel overseas then you need to make sure you have adequate insurance. You may already have some form of travel insurance, but you should double check its coverage and whether it covers illness and disruption caused by COVID-19 -19.
“If you travel without international health insurance, you could be billed hugely in the event of a medical emergency.”
Insurance Details
“When you travel, make sure you have a copy of your insurance details with you and your insurance company’s contact information with you. This will make your life easier in the unfortunate event that you need to file a claim,” they explain.
time
Travel and insurance experts also recommend considering how long you plan to stay abroad.
“It affects the type of coverage you need. Different policies offer different lengths of coverage, so if you’re only going abroad for a short period of time, you don’t need coverage for a full year,” they said.
State of health
Regarding pre-existing health conditions, they explain: “In addition, consider your current health status and the lifestyle you plan to live abroad. These factors will help you determine the level of coverage that is right for you. For example, if you or your If your partner is pregnant, or you’re trying to have a baby, additional insurance might be a good idea.”
full coverage
“The most immediate benefit of full coverage is that you can continue to enjoy life without worrying about what should happen. If you’re covered, then there’s nothing to worry about!” they concluded.
