Planning your next getaway? You might want to think carefully about your travel insurance. Our latest research* shows that over half of UK holidaymakers (51%) believe they could personally cover medical bills abroad if something went wrong. And worryingly, people living with medical conditions are even more confident (59%).
At the same time, we’ve seen a big jump in the number of people with medical conditions planning holidays abroad – rising from 64% in 2024 to an incredible 89% this year. That’s a lot of travellers who could be at risk if they don’t have the right cover in place.
But here’s the reality: the true cost of medical treatment overseas is soaring. Without proper travel insurance, a single accident or illness abroad could cost you thousands – even your home. Countries like Spain, Italy, and Germany topped the list of places where travellers think they could afford medical care themselves, but alarmingly, some also felt confident about footing the bill in the USA, Thailand, Jamaica and Mexico, where medical bills can easily run into six figures.
Here’s a quick look at what people believe they could pay themselves if hospitalised abroad without insurance:
Percentage of people that say they could pay medical bills themselves should they be hospitalised abroad and not have adequate medical insurance cover in place.
| Country |
National average % that could pay medical bills themselves |
People with medical conditions % that could pay medical bills themselves |
| Spain | 24% | 23% |
| Italy | 19% | 18% |
| Germany | 17% | 15% |
| Portugal | 17% | 17% |
| USA | 12% | 15% |
| Sweden | 11% | 11% |
| Thailand | 11% | 12% |
| Australia | 11% | 12% |
| India | 10% | 9% |
| Canada | 9% | 10% |
| Jamaica | 7% | 7% |
| Mexico | 7% | 7% |
As Garry Nelson, our Head of Corporate Affairs, puts it:
“We are concerned at the proportion of people who think that they could pay their medical bills if they fall ill abroad without comprehensive cover. A medical emergency in some countries could cost a person their home and easily reach 6 figures.
Many countries appear to have increased their treatment costs for tourists in recent years and, combined with unfavourable exchange rates, the true costs of UK holidaymakers being hospitalised abroad are eye-watering. The message for holidaymakers – and especially those with medical conditions is clear; get travel insurance with good medical cover before you fly abroad. Too many British adults are buying travel insurance simply on price. This, combined with a lack of consumer knowledge on medical costs abroad, makes this a seismic industry issue that needs to be tackled – and urgently.”
Why price-only shopping could leave you exposed
If you’re living with a medical condition, you might be feeling the pinch and tempted to go for the cheapest insurance option. Our research shows that price (53%) has now overtaken safety (30%) as the biggest driver behind holiday planning decisions for 2025. Almost a third of people (29%) say they’ll shop around for the cheapest cover, even if it risks some conditions being excluded.
But the risks are real. Buying the cheapest policy could mean your medical needs aren’t fully covered – or worse, that your claim is rejected when you need help most.
The risks of not declaring medical conditions properly
We also dug into why some travellers don’t declare all their medical information when buying travel insurance. Here’s what we found:
- Education gaps: 24% of people weren’t sure how much to declare. 13% assumed their insurer would know about changes to their health from the previous year (they won’t!).
- Intentional concealment: Worryingly, 22% admitted they’d share limited information for fear of being turned down. 16% said they’d withhold details just to get cheaper cover.
- Underestimating risks: 14% believed they’d be fine paying their own hospital bills. Another 14% thought the risk of falling ill abroad was low.
- Proximity myths: 11% said they didn’t see the need for travel insurance if travelling close to home. But serious illness can strike anywhere – and medical repatriation often isn’t an option.
- Privacy worries: Around 10% were cautious about declaring personal health information online.
- Time pressure: Others felt overwhelmed by online forms and just rushed through them.
Getting the right cover matters
At AllClear, we know how confusing travel insurance can be. That’s why we make it simple, supportive, and crystal clear. With award-winning customer service, cover for all medical conditions, all ages, and all destinations, and 24/7 medical assistance, you’ll have unparalleled peace of mind when you travel.
Don’t take unnecessary risks with your health – or your finances. Travel with confidence knowing you’re properly protected.
*The research was conducted for AllClear by Walr research among a nationally representative sample for 2,008 adults in February 2025.
