Drunken Brits 'could face costly medical bills abroad'
Holidaymakers are encouraged to enjoy themselves while on their summer break but are being urged to be careful not to drink excessively, a travel insurance specialist has said.
"We advise all travellers to think twice before drinking heavily on holiday this summer, not just because of the dangers it exposes them to, but also because their insurance won't automatically cover the consequences," warned Stuart Bensusan, insurance director at EssentialTravel.co.uk.
According to a survey carried out by the company, 80 per cent of Brits admitted to getting "very drunk" while on a getaway, reported eTravel.
Of the 1,000 people polled, 32 per cent of people who claimed due to a drunken incident had lost personal possessions such as a wallet, camera, phone or passport.
Some 28 per cent had had an accident resulting in broken bones or concussion - such as falling from a balcony or falling off a moped.
Others were hospitalised through alcohol poisoning or dehydration or were injured during an alcohol-fuelled brawl.
According to the firm, travellers could face costs of between £2,500 and £25,000 depending on where they are in the world if they end up needing treatment for a broken bone or fracture.
Some 14 per cent of British holidaymakers jetted off on a break in 2008 without a travel insurance policy and 236,000 incidents occurred that would have been claimable had they been covered, according to figures from InsureandGo.
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