A helicopter rescue could leave you out of pocket. Photo / 123RF
From a bout of the bends to a ghastly spell of gastro, there's no telling where or when you may require medical aid on your travels.
Unfortunately, there's one thing you can be certain of - it's likely to cost you a bundle, particularly if you don't have travel insurance.
While you might choose to go without, thinking "it won't happen to me", it's clear that this isn't always the case - according to figures from travelinsurance.co.nz, Kiwis lodge 200,000 travel insurance claims each year, with approximately half of them for medical expenses.
"The cost of seeking medical treatment overseas can land you in a world of pain," says Natalie Ball, director of travelinsurance.co.nz.
"From a $25,000 hospital bill for a broken arm in Japan, to a staggering $800,000 fee for pneumonia treatment in the USA, medical expenses abroad can easily send you into financial ruin."
