Revealed: The 10 most expensive destinations to be hospitalised in while on holiday
Everyone's worst nightmare is ending up in hospital on holiday - but in some popular destinations, it might be worse than others.
According to new research, Monaco is the most expensive holiday destination when it comes to hospital treatment - with the average night’s stay starting from £2,400.
The principality topped the table of the 10 most costly places to be hospitalised in, with Luxembourg coming in second, with prices starting from £1,500 per day.
According to data compiled by insurance company Staysure using World Health Organisation data, which excludes any tests, treatment or medication, Norway came in third, at a daily cost for a bed starting from £1,150, followed by Switzerland, Australia and Denmark.
The USA came in at number 10, with the average cost around £600, meaning just four days in hospital could set you back £2,400, excluding any additional costs for treatment.
Staysure worked with expert Dr Punam, who said: "Not every healthcare system around the world is like the UK’s National Health Service.
"It’s only when you see the eye-watering high costs for a hospital overnight stay in other countries, that makes you think whether you’d ever want to take the risk to travel without travel insurance protection.
"Far too often, I see patients who return from holiday having suffered from an unexpected medical emergency abroad who had not bought a prior travel insurance policy.
"Usually those who are otherwise healthy with no other medical history - and later repent how they took their health for granted - are the ones who present to me, experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety due to the financial implications of being hospitalised abroad.
"Whether it’s the unforeseen accident, an allergic reaction, a serious chest infection, appendicitis, or even more life threatening such as a heart attack or a stroke, nobody predicts these scenarios happening when they’re on holiday.
"It’s times like this where the stress levels are so high the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling around for funds to pay for medical help."
Staysure also commissioned research asking 2,000 UK adults who had recently travelled about their past experiences with holiday mishaps and unexpected extra costs.
Almost a fifth (19 per cent) claimed to have given a particular holiday destination a second thought because of possible high-cost medical implications.
For those who had needed medical treatment while away, situations involved forgetting to pack important medication, suddenly becoming unwell or getting food poisoning, along with allergic reactions and being stung by a jellyfish or an insect.
According to the study, a sixth had been caught out financially while abroad, leading to unexpected charges, including paying for emergency medical treatment.
But 70 per cent said they always cover themselves with a travel insurance policy before travelling abroad while 68 per cent had never had to make a claim on their travel insurance, although 95 per cent would continue to buy a policy to protect their future holidays.
Brad May, from Staysure, said: "Having a tailored travel insurance policy to protect you and your holiday investment is one of the most important elements of any trip abroad.
"As the hospital cost data shows, it can be an expensive and stressful experience if you need a couple of nights stay in a hospital abroad, especially as these daily bed costs do not include medication, tests, or treatment.
"This is just highlighting the top 10 most expensive countries, but wherever you might plan to go on holiday, it could be a false economy to leave home without a tailored travel insurance policy."
TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRIES TO BE HOSPITALISED IN PER BED PER DAY
Monaco - £2,400
Luxembourg - £1,500
Norway - £1,150
Switzerland - £900
Australia - £700
Denmark - £700
San Marino - £650
Qatar - £600
Sweden - £600
10. USA - £600
