Jacqueline Scuffle is no stranger to travel. For many years, she and her husband have made the Spanish island of Lanzarote their second home, escaping the UK’s chill twice a year to enjoy three blissful weeks under the Canarian sun, once in February and again in November. However, during their most recent trip, they faced a serious medical crisis that highlighted a critical lesson for all travellers.
What unfolded over the next few days left Jacqueline more certain than ever that some things simply can’t be left to chance. On the Tuesday of their stay, her husband, Mike Scuffle, began to feel unwell, coughing and breathless. Faced with the choice between travelling over an hour to a public hospital or paying upfront for private treatment nearby, Jacqueline contacted their travel insurer, AllClear, to confirm coverage.
After being assured the private care was covered, she paid over £2,000 for the necessary treatment. By the time they reached the local hospital, he’d been diagnosed with pneumonia. Then came more bad news, he’d developed diabetes. As he deteriorated, Jacqueline herself was rushed to hospital with heart problems.
Jacqueline Scuffle, 77, said: “Then, to make matters worse, I started feeling unwell and developed chest pains. I ended up in the hospital myself and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart condition. It was all happening so fast, and we were both really unwell.
“We had used our passports and GHIC cards in Arrecife hospital at that time, but my husband became even more ill when we went back to the hotel. That is where AllClear really stepped in to help. He was sent into the Private hospital in Porto de Carman by the doctor sent out by AllClear to escort us home. He was admitted and put into Intensive Care.
“People think that because they have GHIC and passports, they don’t need travel insurance, which is OK for minor things, but when it comes to more serious illnesses, you definitely need travel insurance.”
She added: “You think to yourself, ‘Do I really need this? It’s a lot of money’, but when you go through an experience like this, you realise just how important it is to have comprehensive cover. It’s not something you think about until you need it, and then you’re so thankful you’ve made the investment.”
Her message to travellers, particularly those with pre-existing conditions, is: “Never, ever travel without proper insurance, especially when you have medical conditions. AllClear took care of everything for us, and I will never travel without them again.”
Jacqueline’s husband was still too ill to fly back to the UK. Their insurer arranged private intensive care treatment, daily medical updates, and ultimately organised a medically assisted repatriation to the UK with ambulance transport and in-flight medical care.
She said: “Looking back, I can’t believe how much we went through, and I’m so grateful for AllClear. They were there for us in a way that went beyond insurance. It wasn’t just about the medical care; it was the human contact that made the difference. The empathy, the kindness—they were absolutely fantastic.”
She added: “They even organised for a doctor and nurse to come out to the hotel to assess us both. At one point, they sent a doctor from Madrid who spoke English, which was such a relief because we were struggling with the language barrier.”
New research from AllClear reveals that over half of UK holidaymakers (54%) say they would not purchase travel insurance for short-haul destinations like Spain, France, or Italy, countries that remain among the most popular holiday spots but where medical costs can be high. Spain topped the list at 23%, followed by France (20%), Italy (14%), Portugal (10%), and Greece (10%).
Garry Nelson, head of corporate affairs at AllClear and InsureandGo told the Express: “The proximity of an overseas holiday resort to home is not a valid reason to risk travelling with no insurance cover at all. If a UK holidaymaker has an accident is or taken ill on holiday, a standard flight home may simply not be possible and it may need medically-aided repatriation.
“What’s more, medical costs in countries like Spain are expensive. The message to all holidaymakers at this time of year is to buy travel cover before heading abroad – and for those with medical conditions, it is crucial to get comprehensive medical cover.
“The fact the destinations people wouldn’t get travel cover for are also the countries that most people plan to visit this summer is a big worry. Spain, France and Italy remain the most popular holiday destinations for Brits this year – but they are also the countries where travellers are most likely to go without insurance.
“AllClear is urging people not to fall for the misconception that short-haul means low risk. Travel insurance is not a luxury – it’s a lifeline. Without the protection of travel insurance, the significant and rising cost of medical treatment in some countries abroad could cost people their home.”