Isle of Man – As thousands of motorsport fans prepare to descend on the Isle of Man for the 2025 TT Races, Manx Care has issued a strong warning: ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance in place, or risk facing significant out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
While a reciprocal healthcare agreement allows UK residents access to most medical treatment on the island, Manx Care emphasized that this coverage does not extend to all situations. Urgent medical care will always be provided, but non-UK visitors are only entitled to emergency treatment free of charge. Any additional services—such as hospitalization after emergency care, diagnostic testing, medication, or medical repatriation—must be paid for or covered by valid insurance.
The TT festival officially kicks off with qualifying rounds on Monday and culminates in the prestigious Senior TT race on 7 June. The two-week event, held on the island’s iconic 37.73-mile (60km) Mountain Course, attracts fans from around the world and involves the closure of public roads to accommodate high-speed racing.
Manx Care’s executive director of health services, Oliver Radford, urged attendees to review their coverage carefully and ensure it includes repatriation to the UK or other home countries. “The UK agreement does not cover all eventualities,” he said. “It could be very costly if you become ill and require healthcare support, and even more so if you have no insurance in place at all.”
Radford stressed that lack of insurance would not affect the provision of emergency care. “Insurance queries will never delay or prevent immediately necessary or urgent treatment,” he noted.
However, visitors from outside the UK are expected to either provide proof of travel insurance or pay for any treatment not classified as urgent. Manx Care also advised travelers to bring an adequate supply of prescription medication to cover the full duration of their stay.
To help visitors prepare, consulting a reliable insurance guide before booking travel is highly recommended. Comparing business insurance coverage or car insurance types, depending on your mode of travel, may also help tailor policies to individual needs.
UK residents staying on the island for more than 24 hours but fewer than three months can temporarily register with a local GP for additional support.
“We want all visitors to enjoy the TT safely and worry-free,” Radford added.
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