A British father is facing a £30,000 medical bill after falling seriously ill on holiday in Spain because he failed to declare a common chest infection on his travel insurance. Kevin Turner, 63, flew to Alicante with his partner Joy Peck in May, having felt unwell the week before with a chest infection. After taking antibiotics and steroids, he said his GP assured him he was 'good to go' and prescribed additional medication for the trip.
Sudden deterioration
The retired painter and decorator felt 'off' upon landing but attributed it to travel fatigue. The following day, his chest pains worsened, prompting Joy to call an ambulance. Rushed to a hospital in Alicante, doctors discovered a pierced lung and pneumonia, and Kevin was placed in intensive care. Despite having holiday insurance, his family says the policy does not cover his medical expenses because he did not declare the chest infection before traveling, leaving him with bills of at least £30,000.
Family's fundraising effort
Kevin's daughters, Sam Turner, 44, and Natalie Fowell, 40, have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay the medical bills and bring him home to the UK. Sam, from Winsford, Cheshire, described the ordeal as 'really, really scary' and said they felt helpless being far away. She explained that Kevin had visited the doctor for a chest infection that week and was given antibiotics and steroids. He mentioned his upcoming holiday, and the GP raised no concerns, so he thought he was fit to travel.
Sam added: 'They just gave him enough medication for the fact that he was going away and that was it. He'd arrived at midnight, had something to eat and drink and gone to bed, feeling a bit off but just put it down to travel. It got progressively worse from there.' By the next day, the pain was so severe that in hindsight, he likely already had pneumonia when he boarded the flight, but he was unaware. Joy called Sam from the hotel, saying she had to call an ambulance.
Insurance denial
After contacting the insurance company, Sam was told the medical bills would not be covered because Kevin did not declare the ongoing chest infection on his travel insurance before flying. The estimated cost is £30,000, but with Kevin still in intensive care, it may rise. Sam said: 'It very much looks like it's a case of, the small print says if there are any significant health changes up to the date of travel then you must notify them.'
Kevin remains in intensive care, and the family is trying to determine his prognosis. He has not been out of bed and has lost feeling in his legs and feet, causing great worry. The insurance company took about two weeks to decide not to pay out, requiring much chasing from the family. Sam advises others to 'read the small print of the insurance document, make sure you go with a reputable company and look at their reviews.'
