Money Moral Dilemma: My friend won't buy travel insurance - what should I do?

Cimscate

Presumably he is an adult, let him make his own decision, can't really see how if affects you?

gloriouslyhappy

Are you planning to cancel? Did you make the holiday payments and he hasn't yet reimbursed you? Otherwise, as the trip is already booked and paid for, I don't see how it affects you if he waits or doesn't take out insurance at all.

crispy_duck

In what sense is this a moral dilemma, unless you work for an insurance company and are paid to sell insurance?

Pollycat

It appears (at least to me) that a lot of people get all worked up about something that is really none of their business.

dougthejag

Pleased that, for once, folk are treating this seriously and not alleging "fake dilemma". I disagree with general replies. If your friend does take out insurance at last minute, and holiday goes ahead, fair enough. However if he/she doesn't and is hospitalised on holiday, it is inevitable that you will be left to sort out the practical consequences.

Gavin83

dougthejag wrote: »

However if he/she doesn't and is hospitalised on holiday, it is inevitable that you will be left to sort out the practical consequences.

Exactly. Regardless of it 'not being your problem' it throws up some huge potential issues. Let's say your friend has an accident or gets ill and requires medical treatment or repatriation costing, for example £30k. Let's say you're planning on purchasing a house in 6 months so you have that money for your house deposit and everyone else knows you have that money. Incredibly tough situation.

I know it's easy for people on here to say it's not your problem but when faced with the choice of at best causing severe financial consequences to your life, probably removing your chance to own a home or saving your friends life, while considering their stupidity it's a tough decision. This is made all the more tough by the fact that regardless of the circumstances that persons family will blame you for their death, as well I'd imagine a number of mutual friends should you choose to walk away.

Even if it wasn't that extreme in the event of a problem it could well ruin your holiday and your friendship. Personally I'm not sure I'd wish to travel with a friend who didn't have insurance, regardless of how much it has nothing to do with me.

Pollycat

Gavin83 wrote: »

Exactly. Regardless of it 'not being your problem' it throws up some huge potential issues. Let's say your friend has an accident or gets ill and requires medical treatment or repatriation costing, for example £30k. Let's say you're planning on purchasing a house in 6 months so you have that money for your house deposit and everyone else knows you have that money. Incredibly tough situation.

I know it's easy for people on here to say it's not your problem but when faced with the choice of at best causing severe financial consequences to your life, probably removing your chance to own a home or saving your friends life, while considering their stupidity it's a tough decision. This is made all the more tough by the fact that regardless of the circumstances that persons family will blame you for their death, as well I'd imagine a number of mutual friends should you choose to walk away.

Even if it wasn't that extreme in the event of a problem it could well ruin your holiday and your friendship. Personally I'm not sure I'd wish to travel with a friend who didn't have insurance, regardless of how much it has nothing to do with me.

Somewhat dramatic storyline.
The OP says the friend plans to buy travel insurance nearer the date of travel (which I personally think is silly), not that he/she intends to travel without insurance altogether.

Personally, I'd be asking the friend what they think will happen if either need to cancel before their date of travel.

hannerrbabes

I have an idea: care less. If you care so much for travel insurance, ensure that you are covered. If your friend isn't, then that's their choice.

Primrose

Ask your friend to sign a declaration before you go that if anything happens he/she won't ask you to loan them money, bail them out or in any way fund them for losses or injuries sustained.

Of course you could tell them that the stress of travelling with somebody who appears to be relying on somebody else to bail them out is going to ruin your holiday so you would rather pull out !

Ask yourself, how easy will it be to walk away if they're robbed of their passport or credit cards, or end up being hospitalised and needing funds to pay the bills? Or needing to be air ambulances home. If you can't afford to do this or don'tt want the moral financial responsibility of having to pay for their recklessness, don't go!

crmism

On the assumption that you have already taken the precaution of arranging cover for yourself, why should you be concerned whether your companion has done the same?

It isn't your responsibility.