Brit left £15k out of pocket after making very simple mistake on holiday

A BRITISH tourist has been forced to fork out £15,000 after making a very simple mistake on holiday.

Adam Davies, from Pembrokeshire, South Wales was involved in a road accident while on holiday in Thailand, but has to pay for the medical costs himself, despite being insured.

2

The holidaymaker was on the island of Koh Tao on Boxing Day, when he crashed a motorbike into an electric pole.

The collision left him with a skull fractured in three places, a bleed on the brain, a punctured lung, five broken ribs, a fractured clavicle, a broken scapula, a fractured ankle and other minor injuries.

However, he cannot claim medical costs back via his insurance policy because of a rule in the small print that he wasn’t aware of.

Adam’s sister Jessica explained that because he had been away from the UK for more than 31 days, he was required to return home before going on another trip for his worldwide insurance to once again become valid.

She told the BBC: “It was something in the small print. He took out an insurance policy that enabled him to travel worldwide, that’s how it was sold. But it would only insure him for one country for 31 consecutive days.”

The incident forced Jessica to set up a GoFundMe page for her brother, who had no other way to pay for the hospital fees.

On her crowd-sourcing account, she wrote: “We’re in desperate need for some support to help fund Adam’s medical care after a motorbike accident has left him hospitalised in Thailand.

“His insurance has failed to pay out, meaning he is left to find the funds himself to pay the mounting bills which will continue rising, as long as he stays in hospital.”

Fortunately for Adam, the £15,000 mark has long since been surpassed, with his sister’s campaign raising £22,671 at the time of writing.

However, the extra money will be put to good use, as Jessica says it will be donated to a charitable cause.

She hopes that her brother’s unfortunate incident will stop other people from making the same mistake.

She told the BBC: “I know it’s annoying to look through… nobody really reads the small print, but I urge everybody to do it. Even if it takes half an hour, it’s worth it.”

A spokesperson for Lloyds Bank, Adam’s insurer, said: “We would always encourage customers looking to travel abroad for an extended period of time to check the terms and conditions of their insurance, whether that’s been provided through their bank account or purchased separately.

“Most providers, including Lloyds Bank, will make it clear what is covered under your policy when you first take it out, and send annual reminders to make sure it remains suitable for you.”

There are lots of things that travel insurance doesn’t cover – especially if you opt for a basic policy.

Kelly Whittington, speciality claims director at Aviva UK, said issues often arise when people think they’re covered, only to find they’re not when they go to make a claim.

“It’s really important that people check their policy documents so they understand what is and isn’t covered,” she said.

“Read through your policy documents – they will explain which scenarios are covered and any exclusions – and check with your insurer if you have more questions.”

In 2019, a woman in the US racked up a £1,300 medical bill – after she broke her nail on the first day of her holiday.

A holiday expert has revealed the nine things your travel insurance won’t cover you for.

2