A British tourist has warned others to check their travel insurance after being left with medical bills of at least £21,000, approximately 920000 baht, following a spinal injury on holiday in Krabi. Jo Ingram, 56, from Belton near Great Yarmouth, broke her back in three places after falling from a pony during a beach trek on 8 March. The activity was later classed as an “extreme sport” and was not covered by her insurance policy, leaving the couple to fund treatment themselves.

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Jo and her husband Stu, 58, had been on a two-week trip celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary when the incident occurred on the penultimate evening of their stay. She was taken to hospital by ambulance after waking on the sand in severe pain, where X-rays revealed multiple fractures and a shattered disc pressing on her spinal column. She underwent emergency surgery after lying in hospital for 36 hours in extreme pain.

The couple paid £12,000 upfront from their savings to begin treatment, with the total cost of a two-week hospital stay rising to £21,000. Additional expenses continue to mount due to ongoing physiotherapy, rehabilitation and extended hotel accommodation, as Jo cannot fly home until at least seven weeks after surgery. They expect to remain in Thailand until at least the end of April.

Stu said the experience had been “indescribable”, with constant fear and concern about possible paralysis during the wait for surgery. The couple accepted the insurer’s decision, acknowledging they had not fully checked the policy details. An online fundraiser set up by Stu’s employer has already raised enough to cover their initial outlay, with support also coming from family, friends and Jo’s workplace.

Jo said her recovery would take months, although she has regained some mobility with the help of a walking frame. She urged other travellers to carefully review insurance policies before taking part in activities, warning that many are not covered. “It’s a mistake we’ve made and we’ve paid dearly for it,” she said.

The BBC reported that Tom Vaughan from the insurance website confused.com said travellers should assume any activity not explicitly listed in a policy is excluded. He noted that while many policies cover activities such as scuba diving or bungee jumping, it is essential to confirm details in advance. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is supporting a British woman hospitalised in Thailand.

Pictures courtesy of BBC

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Adapted by ASEAN Now BBC 27 Mar 2026

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Seems like a genuine case ...

So they didnt read the policy and now expect others to pay their bills.

2 minutes ago, Tyke said:

So they didnt read the policy and now expect others to pay their bills.

would you call riding a pony on a beach an extreme sport ? I wonder if the insurance policy lists what are to be deemed extreme sports.. maybe crossing a road on foot in Thailand is also an extreme sport - would seem more dangerous than riding a pony on a beach ?

My travel incurance telling in the policy wery clear what they dont cover. Is it really so hard to read before u travel?

2 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

would you call riding a pony on a beach an extreme sport ? I wonder if the insurance policy lists what are to be deemed extreme sports.. maybe crossing a road on foot in Thailand is also an extreme sport - would seem more dangerous than riding a pony on a beach ?

Even if they misunderstood, why should others be expected to pay?

For the sake of those with limited reading comprehension skills, no where in the article does it say they expect others to pay. The GoFundMe was set up by the man's employer, not by the couple. The latter also accept the insurer's decision and have paid out a large sum from their own savings, with no 'begging' off others.

Riring a pony is not an extreme sport.

As usual insurance companies weasels out.

26 minutes ago, Tyke said:

Even if they misunderstood, why should others be expected to pay?

No one is being"expected" to pay, if you don't like the choice of her husband's employer to set up the fundraiser, hard cheese.

21 minutes ago, simon43 said:

For the sake of those with limited reading comprehension skills, no where in the article does it say they expect others to pay. The GoFundMe was set up by the man's employer, not by the couple. The latter also accept the insurer's decision and have paid out a large sum from their own savings, with no 'begging' off others.

Well said.

35 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

would you call riding a pony on a beach an extreme sport ? I wonder if the insurance policy lists what are to be deemed extreme sports.. maybe crossing a road on foot in Thailand is also an extreme sport - would seem more dangerous than riding a pony on a beach ?

Still, they didn't read the policy!

12 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Riring a pony is not an extreme sport.

As usual insurance companies weasels out.

Absolute nonsense. The couple accepted that their policy clearly stated exemptions and that they just did not read them... nothing to do with insurers' "weaselling-out as usual", it is a fact that in excess of 90% of all insurance claims are paid out by insurers so successful payouts are 'the usual'.

9 minutes ago, Inuendo said:

And another BRIT who does not read the insurance policy

And another AN POSTER who does not read the OP before having an unjustified go at the victim.

23 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Riring a pony is not an extreme sport.

But it is an insurance policy exemption, regardless of your irrelevant definition.

Best not to have insurance

Most people that take out holiday insurance (me included) know full well that insurance companies will try every trick in the book not to payout if the worst happens. Having a few drinks and then being hit by a totally at fault uninsured driver or an accident whilst pony/horse riding would most likely result in a denied claim. Insurance isn't high on the list of considerations when in a bar on holiday and a short walk from your hotel, or as in this case taking a pony ride on a beach. Insurance is often not worth the paper its printed on but is better than having none. This seems like a genuine couple who had some bad luck.

A few years ago, I applied for holiday insurance for a trip to Thailand. I was asked if I was going to have any medical procedures. I said no, then casually stated that I might get my teeth cleaned whilst I was there ( being so much cheaper than the Uk )

The insurance company refused to give me insurance based on the fact that teeth cleaning was a medical procedure.

6 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Best not to have insurance

37 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Riding a pony is not an extreme sport.

As usual insurance companies weasels out.

Best not to ride horses unless you are proficient or at least know the risks.

Horses are for instance the most dangerous animals in Australia. https://www.kidsnews.com.au/animals/horses-involved-in-most-animalrelated-fatalities-in-australia/news-story/c09d2ede9f791ef0876a35df8f689c8a

The woman in question is from UK where the most dangerous animal is........... a cow. But horses are also as dangerous as they are in Australia.

Sadly the takeaway from this is don't do anything on holiday that you wouldn't consider at home but if you must take precautions and read the small print.

31 minutes ago, Inuendo said:

Every Brit should be checked at the airport here in Thailand if their insurance is complete

Tell us what you understand by "complete"? As with everyone else they had standard travel insurance- what isn’t "complete " about that and how are airport authorities going to check what activities they might do outside of the normal coverage?

11 minutes ago, Finspin said:

A few years ago, I applied for holiday insurance for a trip to Thailand. I was asked if I was going to have any medical procedures. I said no, then casually stated that I might get my teeth cleaned whilst I was there ( being so much cheaper than the Uk )

The insurance company refused to give me insurance based on the fact that teeth cleaning was a medical procedure.

I NEVER brush my teeth on holiday. Just to be on the safe side….

I will have to check with my insurance company to see if I’m covered, whilst in Thailand. Should I fall off a rotund lady and injure my back when performing horizontal folk dancing. Would that be regarded as extreme sport?

GFMs, while annoying, are optional. Get over people setting them up, and ignore them.

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

For the sake of those with limited reading comprehension skills, no where in the article does it say they expect others to pay. The GoFundMe was set up by the man's employer, not by the couple. The latter also accept the insurer's decision and have paid out a large sum from their own savings, with no 'begging' off others.

You are 100% correct I'm glad I'm not the only one that can read. Others on here obviously can't read.

19 minutes ago, Jack Hammer said:

I will have to check with my insurance company to see if I’m covered, whilst in Thailand. Should I fall off a rotund lady and injure my back when performing horizontal folk dancing. Would that be regarded as extreme sport?

Anal is so low class

37 minutes ago, Finspin said:

A few years ago, I applied for holiday insurance for a trip to Thailand. I was asked if I was going to have any medical procedures. I said no, then casually stated that I might get my teeth cleaned whilst I was there ( being so much cheaper than the Uk )

The insurance company refused to give me insurance based on the fact that teeth cleaning was a medical procedure.

There you go, a sensible man checking his coverage... not that teeth cleaning would ever likely need an insurance claim.

Why would she or anyone else expect this is covered under a travel insurance...???

1 hour ago, Tyke said:

So they didnt read the policy and now expect others to pay their bills.

1 hour ago, Tyke said:

Even if they misunderstood, why should others be expected to pay?

No one is forced or expected to pay. Just a request for help. If anyone volunteers, nothing wrong. Unlike a scam, request for genuine help is alright IMHO.

1 hour ago, Tyke said:

So they didnt read the policy and now expect others to pay their bills.

Yes, seems to be the SOP here in Thailand, where they expect us folks on a Pension or with limited funds to support their irresponsible behavior. Pass.

52 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Best not to have insurance

With a low payment record by those companies, I am not sure why folks even bother. It is worst than the Soi 6 bar girl scams that are pulled on the Simps on a daily basis.

11 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Yes, seems to be the SOP here in Thailand, where they expect us folks on a Pension or with limited funds to support their irresponsible behavior. Pass.

Were you personally approached for funds? By whom?

SOP Thailand - Happens no where else?

You seem to be highly stressed.