Post Office® Travel Insurance reveals children's top holiday health hazards

Travel insurance study discovers one in 10 parents have sought professional medical advice for their children while on holiday.

London, UK (PRWeb UK) 6 November 2009 -- Post Office Travel Insurance is encouraging travellers to take simple steps to protect their family's health, as new research on travel insurance claims has revealed that a quarter of parents have dealt with a sick youngster on holiday. For more than 10 per cent, the problem was serious enough to seek professional medical advice.

According to Post Office Travel Insurance claims data relating to more than 1,000 children, the most common cause for illness on holiday is ear infection. Parents claimed an average of £291 for medical expenses on travel insurance policies after children suffering ear infections on holiday.

Children with cuts and scrapes make up the second largest number of claims on Post Office Travel Insurance policies, with an average sum of £258. Other common health claims on Post Office Travel Insurance policies range from treatment for viruses and infections, to accidents such as children being stung by jellyfish. The average cost of a travel insurance claim for medical care for children is £666.

Rachel Croft, Post Office Head of Travel Insurance, said: "Having comprehensive travel insurance is important - parents without travel insurance could face considerable medical bills if their children fall ill on holiday. Our data shows that the average cost of a medical claim is £666, with costs for many common complaints rising above £1,000."

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