Family of sick Brit tourist urge others: take out insurance

Family of elderly Brit injured on holiday highlights the need for comprehensive travel insurance.

Travel Insurance News - 17/06/2010

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The family of an elderly British tourist who suffered head injuries while on holiday in Malta are urging holidaymakers to ensure they take out comprehensive travel insurance. William Cookson, 74, fell over and banged his head on a rock while at the seaside in Malta.

Because Mr Cookson travelled without comprehensive travel insurance, his family were left thousands of pounds out of pocket. Though the hospital in Malta managed to find a hospital bed in the UK, his family had to pay for the cost of flying Mr Cookson back to the UK on a stretcher.

Comprehensive travel insurance cover the costs of treatment for illness and injury. If necessary, insurers can organize and pay for emergency repatriation. In Mr Cookson’s case, the hospital in Malta had trouble finding a UK hospital with a bed. Luckily, the Malta High Commission in London found a hospital willing to take Mr Cookson.

Mr Cookson is now in the intensive care unit at Whiston Hospital in Liverpool. His family are glad he is home and close to the family. They were also grateful to all the help they had but they pointed out the need for travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Mr Cookson’s case highlights the risks of travelling uninsured. Every year, studies reveal that large numbers of Brits either travel abroad without any travel insurance or fail to ensure they have adequate levels of cover.

<< England fans should check passports before heading to Africa | Travel News | Scanners upgrade at Manchester Airport to alleviate concerns >>