Be careful travel insurance

[JAS]

This story is on the BBC news site today

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7479520.stm

Basics...a 19yo takes out gap year travel insurance. Whilst in Vietnam he hires a moped...no helmet or licence required there. Needless to say he has an accident and breaks both legs. Has to be brought back to UK which costs his dad £25,000 (about 52,000$AU). Insurance won't pay because it states on the policy that a full UK motorcycle licence must be held and a helmet must be worn.

Moral of this one...the insurance company was within their rights to refuse to pay so for god sake take time to read the whole thing. Hopefully you'll never need it but I reckon the dad might have been very lucky...a lot of country are far, far more expensive.

My mates hubby had a skiing accident in USA a couple of years ago. Got themselves to hospital so no transport needed. Had an x-ray and some painkillers for a fairly minor shoulder injury...cost them around £800...thankfully insurance covered it. Dread to think how expensive it would be if they had need an ambulance or airlift from the slopes.

Regards
JAS