Jo Ingram, a British tourist, broke her back in three places during a beach pony ride in Thailand. She was thrown from a horse on the sand and rushed to hospital with serious spinal injuries. Scans revealed multiple fractures and disc fragments pressing on her spinal column.
Doctors performed emergency surgery on Jo Ingram. Her travel insurer refused to pay her medical bills, classifying horse-riding as an extreme sport or high-risk activity not covered by her policy. Jo Ingram and her husband had to pay £12,000 upfront from their savings to begin treatment.
Jo Ingram's total medical costs are over £30,000 and climbing daily. Jo Ingram cannot fly home for at least seven weeks after the operation. Jo Ingram is undergoing physiotherapy and can only move with the aid of a walking frame.
An online fundraiser has been launched to help cover Jo Ingram's medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and extended hotel stay. The UK Foreign Office is supporting Jo Ingram while she remains hospitalised overseas. The UK Foreign Office says Brits may not be covered by their insurer for some activities abroad.
We were shocked and so scared.
A British tourist named Alex Muncey was in a motorbike crash in Sri Lanka three hours after landing. Alex Muncey suffered a bleed on the brain, three fractures in his right arm, and four fractures in his right leg. Alex Muncey's travel insurance only covered motorbikes up to 125cc, not the 250cc he rented.
Alex Muncey's medical bills and travel home could cost up to £40,000. Travel insurance often excludes high-risk activities like horse-riding or specific vehicle types, catching tourists unaware. Affected tourists and their families report emotional and financial distress.
These cases highlight implications for British travelers, including the need to verify coverage for specific activities. The name of Jo Ingram's travel insurance company and whether her insurer has provided any formal written explanation or appeal process for the claim denial are unknown. The specific terms and exclusions in Alex Muncey's travel insurance policy regarding motorbike engine size are unclear, and his current medical condition and prognosis for recovery have not been detailed.
The nature and extent of UK Foreign Office assistance—whether it involves financial aid or solely consular support—has not been confirmed.