It was later revealed that his travel insurance did not cover quad biking, leaving his family facing uncertainty over the costs involved.
While our thoughts are with the young man and his family as he recovers, the incident highlights an important message for anyone travelling abroad this summer: always check what your travel insurance covers before taking part in any activities.
Not Every Activity Is Automatically Covered
Many travellers assume that buying travel insurance means they’re covered for anything that happens on holiday. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Activities such as quad biking, jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and other adventure sports may not be included as standard. Depending on your policy, they may require an additional level of cover or may be excluded altogether.
As Roland explained during his interview on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, taking just a few minutes to read your policy wording before you travel can make a significant difference if the unexpected happens.
Before your holiday, we recommend that you:
- Read your policy documents carefully.
- Check that every activity you intend to take part in is covered.
- Speak to your insurer if you’re unsure about any exclusions.
- Upgrade your cover where necessary before you travel.
Discovering you’re not insured after an accident is the last thing anyone wants when they’re already dealing with a stressful situation.
Don’t Forget Your GHIC or EHIC
Roland also highlighted the importance of carrying a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when travelling to participating European countries.
A GHIC or EHIC can help you access state-provided healthcare under the same conditions as local residents. However, it’s important to remember that these cards are not a replacement for travel insurance.
They won’t cover:
- Medical repatriation back to the UK.
- Private medical treatment.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment.
- Lost, stolen or delayed baggage.
- Personal liability or many other travel-related expenses.
The best protection is to travel with both travel insurance and a valid GHIC or EHIC where applicable.
A Simple Check Before You Travel Can Make All the Difference
Sadly, accidents can happen anywhere, even on a dream holiday.
Recent reports have also prompted wider safety advice from the travel industry, with organisations reminding holidaymakers that quad bikes and similar vehicles carry significant risks and that many standard travel insurance policies exclude them unless specific cover is in place.
Whether you’re heading away for a relaxing beach holiday, a family break or an adventure overseas, make sure your insurance reflects your travel plans.
At Freedom Travel Insurance, we believe informed travellers are better protected. Understanding your policy before you leave means you can enjoy your holiday with confidence, knowing you have the right cover in place should the unexpected happen.
Safe travels,
Rosie at Freedom
