Couple seeks travel insurance compensation for holiday nightmare

A British couple who were attacked by thieves on the Caribbean island of Margarita are seeking compensation after being forced to pay out $3,000 for medical bills. The pair had taken out travel insurance but they claim they were taken to a hospital that was not affiliated to their travel insurer.

Paul Roberts and Valerie Sparrow from Dorset were set upon by three knife-wielding thugs as they sat on a beach near their hotel. They had gone for a stroll after recovering from food poisoning.

The gang repeatedly allegedly stabbed them both repeatedly before running off with their bag and camera.

Mr Roberts suffered knife wounds to his back and hand and one of the gang hit him on the head with a rock. Ms Sparrow was also attacked.

Both managed to stagger back to their hotel, the Costa Caribe, from where they were taken to hospital. Normally their treatment would have been covered by their travel insurance but the pair said they had to pay $3000 upfront because the hospital was not affiliated to their travel insurer.

They are demanding compensation for the incident from the travel company First Choice. They are also trying to recover the cost of their medical care from the tour operator.

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