When things go wrong abroad – whether in an accident or when a health issue crops up – the costs can quickly add rise.
Medical treatment in a foreign country is often expensive, with holidaymakers having to pay for treatment, hospital stays and even repatriation.
Health-related incidents are the most common travel insurance claim, according to Multitrip.com.
Some 30 per cent of claims made to the travel insurance company are medical.
In 2025, holidaymakers have been hit with some huge medical bills abroad totalling to thousands.
One incident of food poisoning in Greece racked up a £1,611 charge.
Meanwhile a head injury in the British Virgin Islands cost £39,225 in medical fees and expenses.
A holidaymaker in Mexico saw a fractured lower leg accumulate £35,703 in charges and a motorcycle accident in Thailand cost a whopping £101,374.
Medical treatment in a foreign country is often expensive, with holidaymakers having to pay for treatment, hospital stays and repatriation (stock)
Another individual found themselves dehydrated in Spain and was billed a huge £7,267.
The costs seem to also depend on the destination, and the USA tends to be more expensive, according to Multitrip.com.
A fractured leg in the States could see a holidaymaker be charged £280,288.
Christian Bennett from Multitrip.com said: ‘While most holidays go smoothly, things can and do go wrong – and when they do, the costs can be significant.’
He described how medical bills overseas ‘can quickly reach life-altering amounts’.
Christian added: ‘Hospital stays in the United States, for example, can run into thousands of pounds per day before surgery or aftercare are even factored in.
‘Travel insurance isn’t a luxury – having the right cover is essential.’
Last month, it was revealed two thirds of young Brits admitted they have travelled abroad without health insurance.
Health related incidents are the most common travel insurance claim, according to Multitrip.com (stock)
Nearly half of Brits overall – 46 per cent – say they have travelled without taking out any form of travel insurance for trips abroad, according to a new study.
Many of those who opt to forgo travel insurance could leave themselves exposed to significant costs later down the line if things go wrong.
It comes despite the fact that more than a quarter of Brits (29 per cent) have claimed on travel insurance, for an average of over £4,500.
The results are from the survey of 2,000 Brits (18+) in October 2025 conducted by 3Gem on behalf of Compare the Market.
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£1,000 for food poisoning and a head injury bill for £40,000: How much does it really cost when accidents happen abroad?
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