UK Insurance News

P J H travel insurance specialists

Despite common elective, cosmetic and dental surgery costing up to 89% less overseas, the majority of UK consumers (74%) are too worried about something going wrong to travel abroad for treatment says P J Hayman.

These were the findings of the research undertaken on behalf of the specialist travel insurance provider who is launching travel insurance Free Spirit Travel for Treatment aimed at the 100,000 UK citizens who overcome their fears to seek foreign medical treatment each year.

Concerns
In a survey of over 1,300 UK consumers, findings showed that the biggest fears for most people when considering treatment abroad were the potential side effects post surgery (20%) followed by risks involved in surgery (18%).  With countries like the US costing approximately $4,000 per day for a hospital stay, consumers’ next three most pressing concerns – post surgery complication costs (16%), companies’ reputation (13%) and concerns about costs involved in the procedure (10%) – were very real reservations.

Most Popular Procedures
Of those who would consider travelling abroad for treatment, both men (23%) and women (25%) rated dental surgery as the most popular potential procedure.   Laser eye surgery was also a popular option with 14% of people considering travelling outside the UK for this relatively simple procedure.

To provide these consumers with peace of mind, PJ Hayman, the leading specialist travel insurance provider, is launching Free Spirit Travel for Treatment Insurance, which is the only policy in the UK to specifically cover medical costs arising from complications occurring whilst abroad following treatment.

Free Spirit Travel for Treatment provides:

• Cover for more than 150 cosmetic surgery, dentistry and elective procedures†
• Specific cover for complications occurring whilst abroad at least 48 hours†† and up to 31 days after treatment
• Emergency Medical Expenses, Repatriation and Cancellation cover
• Cover against financial failure of travel/accommodation provider
• Medical Emergency Helpline – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Available to UK nationals resident in the EEA up to age 74

Peter Hayman, director of P J Hayman, said:
“International Medical Tourism is a specialist yet fast growing travel market, and we are delighted to be the first company to offer comprehensive insurance cover to UK consumers seeking treatment abroad.

It is vital that anyone considering treatment abroad ensures that they have full insurance cover and is aware that standard travel insurance schemes do not provide this. While there are some specific policies that will provide some protection for additional travel/accommodation costs they do not cover medical costs arising from complications; without full cover there is a risk of incurring large medical bills and increased expenses.”