A Spider Bite Turned Serious - Travel Insurance Stepped in Just in Time

Mrs Ronel* travelled to Spain to walk the Camino with her friends. The Spanish Camino route is mainly between remote rural villages where dirt roads and long grass abound. "I wasn't immediately aware that a spider had bitten me," says Mrs Ronel. "But, after a 25km walk, my left lower leg became red and swollen. I couldn't walk the next day, so I took a bus to the next albergue. The day after that, I saw a doctor at the hospital in Burgos. He only spoke Spanish, and communication was difficult. However, he prescribed medication and told me not to walk for a few days. I took taxis every day to keep up with my friends, but after three days, my leg had still not healed. I contacted my travel agent, who, in turn, phoned TIC. Within a few hours, TIC's assistance company sent a driver to take me to hospital, where the doctor, who fortunately spoke English, prescribed a course of antibiotics. "TIC then arranged a flight for me with wheelchair service from Madrid to Cape Town. I was so grateful for their effective and professional service as it was so stressful struggling with a foreign language in a strange environment while feeling very unwell."