British Couple Faces £20,000 Medical Bill After Moped Crash in Turkey

A British couple’s vacation in Turkey took a tragic turn when a moped accident resulted in a staggering £20,000 medical bill. Darren Webb, 34, and Danielle Davies, 30, from Morecambe, experienced this nightmare just hours after arriving in the popular resort town of Marmaris on September 9, 2023.

The couple rented a moped to explore the area, but their adventure quickly transformed into a medical crisis. Both were hospitalized with severe injuries, with Darren suffering a bleed on the brain, a punctured lung, and multiple broken bones, including his arm, foot, ribs, and jaw. Danielle experienced a punctured lung and ongoing muscle pain, which continues to affect her weeks later.

Their ordeal did not end with the injuries. The couple faced significant financial distress as their insurance provider, Admiral Insurance, denied their claim, asserting that their policy does not cover accidents involving motorcycles or mopeds. This refusal came as a shock, considering the couple’s belief that they were adequately insured for their trip.

Danielle recalled the harrowing moment of the crash, saying, “The last thing I remember is having food in a restaurant. It was the most petrifying thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.” After the accident, she found herself in a foreign hospital, struggling with the language barrier and confusion over Darren’s condition. “I was crying and everything was a blur. It was very scary; I was basically on my own in a foreign country.”

Following their hospital stay, which lasted ten days, doctors recommended surgery for Darren. However, the prospect of an additional £15,000 in medical costs forced him to decline the operation. Instead, he endured a grueling 2,560-mile journey back to the UK by coach, as he was not permitted to fly without a ‘fit to fly’ certificate. This journey took five days, compounding their distress.

Now back in the UK, Danielle has had to access her savings intended for a house deposit to help manage the medical expenses. “I’d saved enough money for a deposit, but I’ve had to use it to help Darren get home,” she explained. The traumatic experience has deeply impacted her outlook on travel, leading her to express reluctance about future holidays.

In response to the situation, a spokesperson for Admiral Insurance indicated that the claim was rejected based on the couple’s lack of proper licensing and training for riding a moped. They also alleged that Darren was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. However, Danielle disputed this claim, stating that blood tests showed Darren was within the legal limit.

The spokesperson emphasized that the decision was based on various factors, including witness accounts, photographs from the scene, police reports, and insights from investigators. They also noted that Danielle was not wearing a helmet during the incident, a fact she confirmed, attributing it to the rental company not providing one.

“The claim wasn’t covered because Mr. Webb and Miss Davies knowingly undertook this risky activity whilst Mr. Webb was intoxicated, and it was foreseeable that doing so would result in serious injury,” the spokesperson added.

This incident highlights the potential risks associated with renting vehicles abroad and the importance of understanding insurance coverage in such scenarios. As the couple navigates their recovery and financial challenges, their story serves as a cautionary tale for other travelers.