Every time we travel and I start thinking about travel insurance, I can’t help but think, “I haven’t needed it yet… is it even worth the money?“.
For our recent six-month trip, it felt even more extreme. The cost was phenomenal for our family of three. Still, I did the sensible thing – all the while thinking it was going to be wasted money. Because, come on – what were the chances of us even needing it?
Turns out, fairly high! And I am so glad past me made sure we had adequate cover.
Our Koh Lanta medical emergency at a glance
Location: Koh Lanta, Thailand
Medical provider: South Lanta Medical Clinic
Diagnosis: Bacterial gastroenteritis
Treatment: IV fluids, antibiotics, anti-vomiting medication and monitoring
Time at clinic: 6 hours
Amount paid upfront: £679.42
Travel insurance excess: £125
Insurer: Gigasure
Outcome: Claim paid
We started our adventure in Singapore before heading to Thailand – a real bucket list destination for us. Chiang Mai stole our hearts immediately, and after soaking up the north, we decided to head south in search of islands, white sand, and turquoise seas.
Enter Koh Lanta.
We flew into Phuket, then caught two ferries to reach the island. The journey resulted in our three-year-old being seasick for a solid hour and a half (memories were made, mostly traumatic), but once we were back on dry land, all seemed well.
The first three days were bliss. So much so that we extended our stay to nine nights. A dreamy routine emerged: breakfast on the beach, lazy sun-filled mornings with paddling in the sea, afternoon siestas or pool time, then sunset dinners with fire shows or live music. Absolute paradise.
And then… drama.
When paradise turned into a medical emergency
I had eggs for breakfast one morning and quickly became ill. Food poisoning, I assumed, immediately blaming the eggs. That night, the toddler followed suit – he’d also eaten them, so we were convinced we’d cracked the case (pun intended). We were both delicate the next day, with the three-year-old refusing food and surviving solely on water.
Then, in the early hours of the morning, Mr Rick went down.
He hadn’t touched the eggs, which blew our theory clean out of the water (sorry, eggs – I judged you unfairly). Unfortunately, his illness wasn’t the quick in-and-out kind.
After four hours of relentless vomiting, he was writhing in pain. Much to his annoyance (stoic man alert), I decided medical help was needed.
Our hotel was incredible. By the time I’d run upstairs, dressed both Mr Rick and Little Rick, and packed a bag of essentials, transport from the medical centre had already arrived.
Our experience at South Lanta Medical Clinic
We were driven a short distance to South Lanta Medical Clinic, where Mr Rick was immediately taken to a bed while I filled out paperwork at the front desk – crying child attached to me, now worried about his Daddy.
I cannot fault the staff there. They explained everything clearly, and even had someone watch our small human while I spoke on Mr Rick’s behalf. A cannula was fitted immediately, anti-vomiting medication administered, and blood tests taken to find the cause.
The doctor explained – mostly to me, as Mr Rick was completely out of it – that he had a severe case of bacterial gastroenteritis. He was moved to a private room, put on IV fluids and antibiotics, with full cost disclosure throughout.
I don’t remember a single number.
I think my actual response was: “Whatever it costs, just get him better.” (I’ve never been so cavalier with our budget!)
We were told he’d need to stay at the clinic for six hours so they could administer antibiotics and monitor him closely. After about an hour, the medication kicked in and he finally slept.
At the same time, the toddler decided he was bored and fell asleep too — an absolute miracle.
And actually, thank goodness. After 48 hours of being unwell myself, caring for a sick child, and then worrying about Mr Rick, my nerves were hanging on by a thread. Obviously, I promptly burst into tears – adulting is A LOT, and my mini meltdown needed to escape somehow.
The lovely doctors came in with a menu so that I could order some food for myself and Little Rick. It was only at this point that I realised neither of us had eaten a thing since the night before — and even then, it hadn’t been much as we’d both been ill. I ordered for us both and the clinic managed the entire thing. It was so nice to feel like someone else was taking care of us for a minute; my adulting levels were close to 0 at this point in the saga.
That small act of kindness gave me a moment to breathe. Once we’d eaten and the immediate panic had subsided, I started to think about what came next. I opened up our travel insurance to work out what we’d need to claim and what they might reimburse.
After 6 hours, we were given the all-clear to leave, along with a number of different medications to keep the infection at bay and, most importantly, keep hydration levels high.
Making a travel insurance claim in Thailand
I submitted the claim that very night and, thanks to the documentation provided by the clinic, it was all very straightforward. The clinic had given us everything we needed, from the full breakdown of costs to the medical notes, and they were clearly very used to dealing with travel insurance claims. I guess we weren’t the first family to cross their doorway!
We’d gone through Gigasure, and while it was around a month before the money was eventually refunded, the claim itself was straightforward and they paid what we were owed. I’ve since heard from others who were able to claim and be reimbursed within a couple of days, so I know there are quicker options out there. But for us, Gigasure did exactly what we’d paid them to do when we needed it most, and for that, I genuinely can’t fault them.
So, was the travel insurance worth it?
And that brings me right back to where I started.
Before this trip, I’d spent more money than I’d ever spent on travel insurance, all while wondering whether it was really worth it. Six months of cover for three people felt like a lot of money to spend on something I hoped we’d never use.
Then, on what had been a picture-perfect island, I found myself sitting in a private room in a Thai medical clinic with my partner on an IV drip, a poorly three-year-old asleep beside me, and absolutely no idea what was going to happen next.
In that moment, I didn’t care what the clinic bill was. I just wanted Mr Rick better.
And that, I think, is the real point of travel insurance. It’s not necessarily about getting every penny back instantly, or even about whether you’ll ever need to make a claim. It’s about taking one huge worry off the table when you’re already dealing with something you never planned for.
Would I rather have spent that money on adventures, meals out and another few nights of paradise? Absolutely.
Would I ever travel without adequate insurance again?
Not a chance.
Past me made the right call. And, for once, I am very, very glad I listened to her.
Have you ever had a holiday take an unexpected turn?
I’d love to hear your travel disaster stories – the moments where paradise suddenly became very real. And if you’ve ever had to make a travel insurance claim, did it live up to what you’d paid for it? Let me know in the comments!
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