stuck! no travel insurance.

maow

We traveled to Europe for 2 weeks without insurance and now 1 child has chickenpox. This means we can't fly home until clear. Any advice, apart from don't travel without insurance.
Thank you.

korky69

ouch!
how long you got left on your booked holiday and how many of you?
not ideal but if possible rest of you fly home as planned and mum/kid stays and books into cheapest accommodation.
i'd also assume that anyone stupid enough to travel without insurance wont have a EHIC either.

jellybabe2

sorry its not what you want to hear but you are going to have to sit it out its only infectious for 5-7 days the spots do not have to vanish but to have dried up (not moist open sores) i suggest if poss one of you stays with child others fly home it will still cost you extra accomodation but airline might be sympathetic rebooking flights after all they wont want you trying to cover up & infecting all
i nearly had a similar problem although i did have insurance i went skiing in canada but just as we boarded for our return flight i noticed an itchy spot on my leg i initially thought it was heatbump wearing anti emboli socks, well by time i reached LHR I WAS COVERED it was obvious, chickenpox although im a nurse in my 40s & had it as a child i hope you have your e111 cards with you incase there are added complications always have insurance in future its not expensive( check on this site) good luck

robpw2

where abouts in Europe are you , ? is ther a possibilty of hiring a car and driving back ?
do you have any family or friends who can lend you money ?

Incapuppy

Thank your lucky stars that its only chickenpox, deal with it and learn from it. Be grateful that you are not having to sell your family home to finance medical bills/repatriation for the sake of not wanting to spend a few quid on insurance.

Harsh? Yes but true nonetheless. If this thread acts as a wake-up call to others then that can only be a good thing.

Alias_Omega

Where in Europe are you?

katyjarvis40

Where abouts are you?, is it possible to get the train/ferry back?, our daughter got chicken pox last year in Spain but we fortunately had driven down so just drove home, lol. Her spots took about 7-10 days to clear completely.

thegirlintheattic

Why would you travel, with kids as well, without insurance?

I agree with the other posters, send everyone but kid/ one parent home, you don't want to wait till the kid is fit to fly just to have another kid break out with it.

No airline will let you on until your kid's spots are crusted and you have a fit to fly letter.

Try looking at hire cars to drive back if you really do have to get home.

alanrowell

Are you sure you don't have insurance? Check the card you used to book the holiday, the company you booked through and your booking itself.

Otherwise the only real option is to wait it out with one parent / one child and for everyone else to fly home before more members of your family catch it - I certainly wouldn't want to have someone infectious on train, coach or ferry and a hire car will cost through the nose even if you can find someone who does a one way hire.

Certainly check with the travel company / airline to see if they will be generous and rebook for a minimal fee.

katyjarvis40

Do you have any extras on your bank accounts?, I pay a bit extra on mine and I get breakdown cover, travel insurance etc?

silvercar

I applaud your honesty. I know people who have wrapped their children up in long sleeves and trousers to hide the chicken pox spots and when queried blamed mossie bites.