Motorsport visitors urged to ensure they have insurance

Manx Care urges people not to overlook travel policies 

Motorsport fans travelling to the Isle of Man this year are being reminded to purchase adequate travel insurance,

Visitors from the United Kingdom who require health and care support during a trip – including urgent or emergency care – will normally be covered under the reciprocal healthcare agreement.

However anyone coming from outside of the UK is unlikely to be covered and will, generally, only be entitled to urgent help in line with the NHS (Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011.

Any other services – including admission to hospital, medicines and diagnostic tests, would have to be paid for.

If admitted to hospital overseas visitors will be expected to provide insurance details or pay for their medical bills prior to discharge.

Oliver Radford, is Manx Care’s director of operations, said: “Firstly I’d like to reassure visitors to the Island that urgent treatment – for example for someone involved in a road accident or who suffers a medical episode – will always be provided to anyone who needs it.

“Issues such as whether or not that person has adequate travel insurance in place should never delay or prevent urgent treatment being given.

“However please ensure if you’re travelling to the Island that you have your own appropriate level of insurance in place – please don’t overlook this important aspect.

“The reciprocal healthcare agreement does not cover all eventualities which could be very costly for anyone who has an accident or becomes ill and requires healthcare support or treatment, and even more costly for those without insurance in place at all.”

The reciprocal healthcare agreement does not always include medical repatriation back to the UK.