Medical Travel Insurance is not a legal requirement therefore you do not have to buy it. However, in the event of a medical emergency, you would need to pay for costs incurred due to your pre-existing conditions, which can easily reach thousands of pounds very quickly.
According to FCDO figures, if you were to fall over in Spain and require treatment for a broken leg, you would be looking at costs of around £15,000. Even minor ailments such as an infection or stomach bug in the USA could cost you £100, 000 if you require flights home.
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kay Greveson explains more: “People often do not realise the cost of medical emergencies abroad. It’s natural that people believe it won’t happen to them, but even the most well-managed conditions need to be covered, in case the unexpected happens.”