Is it irresponsible to not purchase Travel Insurance?

[Oobie-]

Hi guys,
I was having this conversation with lots of people and they all had the take of "whats the point?"
I go to Belgium for a few days at a time every month or so, and I'm mainly indoors but I still get it.

Of course I know its a matter of where you are going, what you are going to be doing, and how long you are going for, but in any case, a few quid (depending who you purchase insurance from) saves a lot of hassle in the eventuality of something bad happening.
I say no matter where you go or what you're doing, you should buy it.

Whats your take on it?

[tiggerai]

Annual multi trip. £50 for the year, job done, don't have to worry about it until june again.

(I travel quite a bit, so it makes sense)

[rastamanblues]

For what could happen/the potential costs its really not worth winging it imo.

A few years back when me and my Mum were in Florida, I had a severe alergic reaction to something, just seeing a doctor and being perscribed medication was just over $300. So the £10 or so Insurance was worth it.

I hate to think what the bill could have been had it been something more serious, car crash etc.

[Mithrandir]

Yup agree with the above two. For a small price it'll be worth it for piece of mind. You'll never know what'll happen; better safe than sorry.

[HSK]

i think you should purchase some decent insurance if you can...even if something bad doesn't happen to your physical self...you never know, your belongings could get lost, damaged, stolen etc.

[samcross]

Considering it costs about £10-£20 per holiday I'd say it was well worth it, if something happens you could be saving huge amounts of money, and if nothing happens, then its not exactly much money.
As someone's already said "Better safe than sorry"

[Banandy]

Yes, better safe than sorry. Not even that much money.

[G4Z]

Depends on the type of holiday I would say, after all if anything happens to you and you happen to have had a drink most insurers won't cover you at all.

[ACiD303]

I usually buy insurance, but nothing ever happens - I've lost items which I could claim but I could never be bothered. On the other hand, one of my mates ended up in an accident in Berlin and it cost him €500 for all the hospital costs over a few days - had no insurance, not even an E111.

[simonfitba]

Get the FREE European Health Insurance Card.

[jjcave]

Unfortunately an insurance company will often try to get out of paying up if something does go wrong!

[Rave]

Personally I'm not that fussed for travelling in Europe as long as I have an EHIC, but travel insurance is so cheap if you buy through the price comparison websites that you might as well have it. This year I got an annual multitrip for myself and the wife for £33 (or so) all in. Since we're going to the carribean next year, I thought that was a pretty good deal. A single trip policy for two of us for two weeks would have been £15 or something.

[iranu]

If I'm travelling in the EU then it's an E111or whatever it is now. Outside of that then definitely travel insurance. It's very cheap.

[schmunk]

Originally Posted by iranu

If I'm travelling in the EU then it's an E111or whatever it is now. Outside of that then definitely travel insurance. It's very cheap.

EHIC

[pauldarkside]

From here:

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge.

Looks like it's still safer taking out travel insurance.

I'm off driving around France, Belgium Holland and Germany shortly so I ought to take out the insurance despite having this card. Where's the best place to buy it from at the moment?

[Flibb]

Its worth checking you bank account to see if it includes any travel insurance. Generally if you pay a monthly fee for a bank account you get some extras, one of which can include travel insurance.

When I checked my account found I had mobile insurance, basic car breakdown, and travel insurance.