Department of Health Stress Importance of Travel Insurance When Travelling Abroad

Families Abroad Without Health Cover Could End Up Paying Thousands

Today marks the first week day of the Summer Holidays, with this in mind the Department of Health have issued a timely reminder to families going on holidays highlighting the importance of travel insurance.

Travel insurance has been a contentious issue on the Isle of Man over the last year, with a decision yet to be reached regarding the reciprocal health agreement, with the reprieve coming to an end in September.

This time however the Department of Health are getting across the importance of taking out travel insurance against health costs when travelling abroad.

There are lots of major hidden costs, for example the usage of an ambulance in a European country for an emergency could cost the traveller hundreds of pounds.

There is also a potential to run up massive costs if you require an air ambulance to bring you back to the Island, which at its cheapest can cost £2000, in more extreme cases it could even cost £20,000 if you're without cover.

These repatriation charges even apply in the UK, as its never been covered by the reciprocal health agreement.

The Department are reminding the holidaymakers to ensure they have sufficient health cover to avoid any potential problems.