Holiday health anxiety? Legal expert shares the must-dos before you travel abroad

According to YouGov, an estimated 25.6 million Brits will head on holiday this summer. During this seasonal surge, attention also turns to the potential health and safety risks while abroad.

“Holiday health anxiety” is a term that has emerged in recent years, capturing the feelings of worry about accidents or health issues occurring whilst away.

From injuries in hotels or during holiday activities, to concerns about travelling with children or elderly family members, Stephen Goodman, travel injury lawyer at Slater and Gordon, says preparation plays a key role in reducing anxieties.

“It is normal to feel worried, as accidents or injuries abroad can happen to anyone. By taking the time to plan ahead, you can be aware of any risks and be better prepared when situations do arise.”

Stephen shares his expert guidance to travellers to help them stay protected legally and financially when travelling abroad, starting with how they book their holiday.

When booking a trip abroad, Stephen recommends booking a regulated package holidays. He explains: “Due to the nature of package holidays, they offer far more consumer protection than a non-package holiday would, as they allow you to bring a claim against the tour operator in the Courts of England and Wales. Regulated package holidays are also governed by the Package Travel Regulations [2018] which set out the obligations on the relevant tour operator and provide a high level of consumer protection.”

“If you suffer an accident at any point of the trip, such as on the flight, in the hotel or during a transfer, the tour operator may be liable to compensate you, even where the services during which the accident occurred have been supplied by a third party. This is because the tour operator is liable for the actions and omissions of their suppliers, if the services form part of your holiday contract.” Stephen adds.

In contrast, those who have booked flights, accommodation and transfer separately should consider who their contract is with, as well as what steps they may need to take if something goes wrong. In some circumstances, an affected individual would need to pursue the claim in a foreign jurisdiction and through a foreign lawyer.

All holidaymakers, whether they have booked a regulated package holiday or not should take out travel insurance. Without travel insurance, the emergency expenses for an accident or injury can be severe. For example, hospital treatment in Spain can be more than £25,000 without cover in place.

For holiday-goers visiting a European location and some worldwide destinations, they can also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The card is free to apply for and will enable travellers to use their destination country’s public healthcare system, with the card lasting up to five years.

Stephen explains, “Surprisingly, many holidaymakers are unaware of the GHIC, despite the benefits it offers. Each family member must apply for their own card, but it will then cover medically necessary healthcare, allowing free - or the same price as residents pay - access to emergency treatment or routine medical care for those with pre-existing health conditions.”

He adds: “If you require medical treatment abroad, you may otherwise be treated as a private patient and face significant charges. The GHIC, alongside suitable insurance, can help reduce financial risk.”

In addition, Stephen advises that research can be a significant tool in reducing uncertainty. This includes:

• Checking the hotel’s location and reviews
• Finding local clinics, pharmacies and hospitals
• Reviewing insurance policies to check which activities are covered
• Checking review sites for any activities to determine if they are health and safety regulated
• Saving local emergency numbers
• Exploring the government’s Foreign Travel Advice website for specific guidance on your destination country.

He adds: “When people understand the risks, follow the right guidance and make the necessary preparations, they can feel more confident that they are protected and ultimately achieve what they want out of a holiday, the enjoyment.”