Last year, in excess of a hundred thousand British people sought medical treatment abroad. This figure is set to soar, according to the article “Into insurance and still wearing a halo” by the year 2010 producing a market worth £886 million. One person who is set to reap the benefits of this rapidly growing market is the TV entrepreneur Leila Wilcox. Avid TV viewers will recall Ms Wilcox winning Channel 4’s “Make Me a Million” show with her kiddies toiletries range called ‘Halo’s Horns’.
Her second most significant venture, Angelis, is self funded and is set to provide insurance for people who travel abroad for surgery that is more affordable than that available in the UK.
People who venture outside of the UK for medical procedures tend to travel to the likes of Thailand, Eastern Europe, South America and India. Ms Wilcox discovered the need for protection should surgery go wrong having experienced a cosmetic operation abroad herself. Additionally, the gap in the market for medical tourism, she realised, was too huge to ignore. Until recently, there was in fact no protection for operations that have ended up fraught with complications.
The added protection you will receive at Angelis is included in what appears to be a regular travel insurance policy. Should the operation incur further expenses due to complications, this policy will ensure you are protected.
She hopes her familiar name will launch Angelis into the marketplace with a vengeance! If you are interested, two weeks cover will cost £123 for cosmetic surgery including regular travel insurance. Lloyd’s of London’s Cassidy Davis are underwriting the policies while One Group the travel insurer administrate the claims.