Holidaymakers planning to travel abroad this summer have been urged to purchase travel insurance before departing, or risk facing massive bills if problems arise. The warning was issued ahead of Monday, June 22, the first full day of summer after the solstice, when many Brits finalise travel plans or embark on international trips.
Alice Beer's Warning on This Morning
Travel expert Alice Beer appeared on ITV's This Morning on Friday, June 19, to stress the importance of getting appropriate travel insurance. She described it as "that one thing you hope you never need," but warned that failing to secure proper cover could lead to catastrophic financial consequences.
Beer highlighted a case involving a British man who travelled abroad while being treated for a chest infection. He had consulted his GP but did not inform his travel insurer about the condition before his trip. "He went on holiday, and when he got to his destination, he became very ill," Beer said. "Turns out he developed pneumonia and I think he had a punctured lung."
The man's claim was rejected because of the undisclosed medical condition, leaving him and his family facing approximately £30,000 in hospital charges in Spain. "There's no way the insurance company will pay out because he went on holiday with a pre-existing condition that he did not declare," Beer explained.
Disclose All Pre-Existing Conditions
Beer cautioned travellers never to assume a health issue is too minor to disclose. She advised holidaymakers to contact their insurer and reveal any ongoing ailments, medical concerns, tests, or treatments before departure. "You can get insurance with your pre-existing condition, but you've got to declare it and you've got to shop around," she said.
The financial risks are even greater outside Europe. Beer warned: "If you had a heart attack in the US, with whom we have no reciprocal medical arrangements, that could cost you £100,000 quite easily."
Buy Insurance Early for Full Protection
According to the UK's MoneyHelper service, travellers should buy cover as soon as they book their trip, not wait until departure. This approach provides protection if they need to cancel before leaving the country. Data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows that travel insurers pay out hundreds of millions of pounds annually, with medical emergencies among the most costly claims.
Insurers Must Recommend Alternatives if They Decline Cover
Beer also highlighted an important rule: if an insurer refuses to cover a medical condition, it must signpost customers to another company that might help. "They have to recommend somebody who will insure you. They can't just say, 'Sorry, can't help'," she said.
Her final advice to summer holidaymakers was straightforward: buy travel insurance and declare all medical conditions before departure. As Beer put it: "It's just not worth travelling without it."
