The United States is the most expensive country in the world to have a medical problem when on holiday, according to travel insurance company InsureandGo.
There were a total of 1,988 medical claims made by InsureandGo customers when in the US in 2007, costing on average £1,241 each. The data is based on all travel claims, not specifically ski.

The second most expensive ski nation was Australia which the average cost of the 598 claims was just over half the US average at £629. Europe’s highest place ski nation was Spain where the average pay out on 1,228 claims was £615. Spain’s Sierra Nevada ski resort also has Europe’s most expensive single-resort lift ticket.
Italy was the second most expensive European ski nation with 270 claims averaging £497, France was third with 1,535 claims averaging £446.
The US was also the most common country for medical claims in 2006, according to InsureandGo’s records. In that year 2,182 claims were made there, compared with 1,723 made in Spain and 1,657 in France, despite the far greater numbers of tourists who go on holiday to Europe than the US.
The average cost of claims in between 2006 and 2007 decreased by five percent in the US and 25 percent in Italy but increased by nine per cent in Spain, five percent in France, and 60 per cent in Australia.
Perry Wilson from InsureandGo explained

Our figures show just how costly medical claims can be when on holiday. Even a relatively minor injury, such as a broken hand or foot, could lead to hospital treatment and a bill of hundreds of pounds. More serious medical problems, which might involve the individual being flown back to the UK, can run into the thousands. This is why it is essential for everyone traveling abroad, whether on business or pleasure, to have full travel insurance cover.”

www.insureandgo.com