26-05-2025
Metro Atlanta mother says insurance will only cover fraction of son's international ATV accident
A metro Atlanta mother says after her son was involved in a severe ATV accident while vacationing, and now they're anticipating having to cover six figures in medical expenses.
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Metro Atlanta resident Karyn Stewart spoke with Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln over Zoom from her son's hospital room in Savannah, Ga.
'I think he may have hit a speed bump…he was catapulted off,' Stewart said.
Shariff Stewart received a severe brain injury while riding an ATV on vacation in Cancun, Mexico.
'He had to have emergency brain surgery,' she said.
Karyn Stewart says her son was hospitalized for a month before being airlifted to Savannah.
'We have no idea how expensive that will be,' she told Lincoln.
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However, Karyn Stewart says while her son is on the road to recovery, they're also growing concerned about the international hospital costs.
'This was a freakiest kind of accident, it's not something anybody would have thought about, or prepared for,' Karyn Stewart said.
Channel 2 consumer advisor Clark Howard says if you're going abroad for a significant amount of time, travel medical insurance may be essential.
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Howard says some insurance providers don't cover costs abroad and carry sky-high deductibles.
He says in most cases, travel medical insurance will cover emergency evacuation (medevac) to a hospital and other medical expenses.
It doesn't cover wellness exams, prescriptions, vision and dental services.
Cost can range from $4 to more than $100.
There are a number of companies that provide travel medical insurance. Clark recommends that travelers go to to compare prices and plans. The policies even come with reviews.
Stewart has created a GoFundMe to help with expenses. Click here if you would like to donate.
