An Accident Abroad

As the beginning of my exchange drew near, the long checklist of forms, flights, visas and necessities weighed heavy. Ensuring everything is in line to avoid issues along the way, alongside the nerves of moving across the world encouraged me to rely on the help of the program staff. Months later, I paid a heavy price.

Semester 1 was over and I was elated to be celebrating Christmas and New Years in Thailand. Of course, the only true way to move around the southern islands is on a scooter. I became confident, taking it slowly and avoiding journeys in the dark. However, as is common for backpackers in Thailand, you get unlucky and make a mistake.

Accelerating a little too much and the brakes unable to get any grip sent me flying down a hill and into an ambulance. Stating I did indeed have travel insurance, I was sent to a private hospital on another island for better treatment as I needed intensive cleaning and stitches. Although in pain, I kept my spirits high that nothing was broken and I was in safe hands.

This positivity was short lived when I tried contacting the insurance I was told we were covered by to be found I was not in fact covered. My already extensive receipt and need for an urgent operation left me with no choice but to hand the credit card to the nurse.

Now, if you read further into the AIG insurance it does state we are not covered in other countries. There is no fabrication on this part. However, upon the stress of preparation for the move, I inquired about needing other insurance on top of AIG and what companies they recommend. The reply I received stated we are ‘covered by the University’s insurance AIG’ in Hong Kong with no suggestion of getting other insurance. I also reached out to past exchange students on the matter, all replying they did not purchase any additional insurance on top of AIG. This means many students have unknowingly been travelling without insurance and are simply lucky they did not need it, because you are only covered in the country you are studying in.

Although now in substantial debt I will be paying off for a long time, I am grateful I did not need any life saving treatment that would have put my parents in an impossible situation.

I hope this post prevents any future students finding themselves in the same difficult situation.

Link for further information on emergencies whilst on exchange & insurance offered by the University: https://www.goabroad.manchester.ac.uk/emergencies-and-insurance/