This is something I've been through before and can't emphasise enough; making sure the insurance policy you take out is suitable for your needs. Not all policies are the same and have different terms and conditions. It's vitally important you understand them and know the limits of the policy before taking it out. Although the ITV Tonight programme was good and highlighted some important issues, it's nothing new. It's just brough things to everyones attention again. It was discussed on here a while back, on the Travel Insurance thread I think.

For example, many insurance policies (not all) will cover you for scuba diving (if qualified) to a depth of 30m. But when you read the small print, they state you have to be accompanied by an instructor at all times. Most qualified divers on holiday would book a day or package of dives and more often that not, you are accompanied by a divemaster or equivelent. A rank below instructor. If anything happens, your insurance wouldn't be valid. Why they stipulate an instructor I don't know, a divemaster or equivelent is more than qualified but if that's what they state, you haven't a leg to stand on if you have to make a claim. I use a dedicated travel insurance company who specialise in scuba which costs more than a standard policy, but at least it covers you for any diving activity within qualification limits.

As with any policy, it's impiortant you read the small print and know what you are covered for and what you aren't. It's too late after it happens.

Darren

I also saw this programme it was a real eyeopener. You really need to check the small print on you policy and not just assume you are covered for everything.

I found the issues around alcohol consumption really confusing as it seemed to allow for a lot of subjective decision making on behalf of the Insurers. It made me wonder whether it was worth consuming any alcohol at all on holiday just incase you then went on to have an unforseen accident.

What seemed unfair was that these were not cases of people who had got roaring drunk and jumped out of their hotel window thinking they could fly, which few of us would have sympathy for. Just ordinary folk sharing a bottle of wine with their dinner.

It makes you think twice about travelling outside of Europe where there are no reciprocal NHS arrangements. Some places seemed to refuse to give life saving treatment until you could prove you could pay for it.

Doe

I think they are insurers and should offer you cover for a bit extra cash so you can enjoy some booze without worrying. As said on the programme the amount of people this affects wouldn't mean the insurers would have to pay out much more. I actually think the government should act and force insurers to offer cover if somebody is drunk.

What do 99% of people do when on holiday, have a few drink. its like falling over after a few to many and breaking your leg, you get to hospital and they sorry we are not treating you because you have been drinking. This exactle what insurance companies are doing.

What the programme did highlight you should carry your ec health cards with you at all times. As one elderly chap who was being treated in local state hospital would have to pay for his treatment because his card was in his room. I couldn't understand why his wife couldn't shoot back to get his card.

It is a case of why should those of us who act responsibly on holiday pay a higher insurance premium to cover those who drink themselves stupid and then have the misfortune to have an accident because they do not know what they are doing.

You can liken this to car insurance premiums going up because of the number of uninsured drivers on the road - none of us like that.

You CAN enjoy yourself on holiday without having to drink so much as to render yourself incapable of reason.

Yes, accidents do happen on holiday - it happened to me but it was purely an accident and not self inflicted.

Act sensibly, read the small print and know what you are and are not covered for.

Pippa

Can I also advise that if you are travelling in the EU DO take out insurance on top of your card. The card will cover treatment only - it will not get you back home again if you've been in hospital and missed your flight, it will not pay for your spouse to stay in the country with you if you are there a long time, it will not cover you if you need air ambulance or an accompanying doctor or nurse back home again.

There is no direct reference to this in my insurance policy but I think this covers it:

We will not pay for any loss or damage caused as a result
of you not acting in a reasonable way to look after your
property.

You must take all reasonable steps to avoid or reduce any
loss which may mean that you have to make a claim under
this insurance.

Basically, it's a matter of discretion looking at the particular circumstances. We rely heavily upon the person(s) who are dealing with our claims (when it is a serious issue the case is normally taken out of the hands of the broker and dealt with by more expert staff at the actual insurers/underwriters) and their competence (and common sense).

Ah, found this:

Any claim arising directly or indirectly from using alcohol or
drugs (unless the drugs have been prescribed by a doctor) or
you are affected by any sexually transmitted disease or
condition.

The onus will be on you to prove that if you have an accident it was not caused by taking alcohol.

Nobody is asking for the rest of us to pay increased premiums for those that are roaring drunk Pippa.

The point of the programme seemed to be making was that even if you had two glasses of wine which I would think is quite normal for an ordinary person on holiday with their evening meal and then you had an unfortunate accident, the Insurance company seemed to manipulate this so that they didn't have to settle the claim. They left this chap with no wife (she died) and a bill of £120,000 pounds to pay. It seemed quite harsh as this was a quite elderly lady who had what most would consider a normal amount to drink not some roaring drunk.

Some people can't drink much alcohol before it has a drastic effect - particularly if they are also taking medication. Even just two drinks combined with some prescribed medication could render someone incapable of looking after themselves.

If insurance companies are forced to cover all accidents, and lets be honest there must be many of these in the so called 'lager lout' type resorts then insurance premiums will rise for all of us.

Pippa