Page 21 - Expat Living Autumn 2016

EXPAT INSURANCE

SURE YOU’RE
INSURED?

Can expats do without insurance cover?

T he staggering potential cost of needing “Anyone travelling overseas should always take out
emergency medical treatment abroad is appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their trip,
highlighted in a new report. and declare medical conditions when they take out their
policy. A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
While the average travel insurance claim is just over when travelling in Europe is also strongly recommended.
£700, emergency medical and repatriation costs when Though not a substitute for travel insurance, the EHIC is
overseas can be much higher. This is according to a free and provides access to state-provided healthcare on
report by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). the same basis as a resident.”

Despite the high costs of emergency medical treatment Expats Are Lax On Health Cover
overseas, an estimated one in five Britons go abroad
without insurance. Nearly 60 per cent of Britons moving abroad do not
secure medical insurance cover before they go.
With some of the highest treatment and medication
costs of any country, emergency medical bills in the USA Over four-fifths of respondents to a survey by AXA PPP
can be considerable. For example: International feel concerned about accessing quality
healthcare while abroad. Yet three-fifths do nothing
l An insurer recently paid a medical bill of £322,000 about it.
for treating a swollen blood vessel in the brain;
The urge to live and work abroad is growing, with the
l Treatment for an abscess in the abdomen resulted in research finding that reasons include seeking a new
the insurer covering the £101,000 medical cost; adventure, a better balance of life and work, and good
job opportunities
l Over £500,000 was paid for treating a multiple
fracture of the leg and artery tear in the USA with an But the survey shows that moving abroad comes with
air ambulance back to the UK. worries for expats-to-be and that many are not prepared
to deal with them. Over 80 per cent of people moving
Other examples of emergency medical bills faced by abroad worry about finding a good doctor. But only 42
Britons abroad that were covered by travel insurance per cent organise healthcare for when they arrive. 19 per
include: cent think they can cover healthcare costs with travel
insurance.
l £300,000 for the treatment of multiple injuries
following a fall from a waterfall in Thailand; “Those who are used to having a state health service
may not realise that in other countries everyday costs,
l £40,000 to cover the medical costs in treating a such as medical practitioner charges and prescriptions,
traveller to Indonesia who was bitten by a mosquito are not covered,” said Tom Wilkinson, managing director
and contracted Dengue fever; of AXA PPP International. “Likewise, in certain countries
even emergency services, such as ambulance transport,
l £31,000 treating a broken leg that became infected in must be paid for upfront.”
Nepal;

l £16,000 to treat a fractured hip caused by a
motorcycle accident in Thailand;

l £11,000 treating a brain tumour in Spain.

The ABI’s Mark Shepherd said: “Falling ill abroad can be
very stressful without the added worry about how you
will pay potentially very expensive medical bills.

EXPATLIVING 21