A recent survey from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK states that nearly half of young people surveyed in the UK didn’t take out any visitor travel insurance when they stayed with friends and family abroad. Visitor insurance is essential when traveling abroad, especially if visiting the US, even if you stay with family.

The survey shows more than a third of travelers visiting relatives in Africa did not buy any travel insurance before their visit. And of those visiting friends or family in South Asia, only half took travel insurance with them.

Staying in your friend or relative’s house does not mean you are immune from travel-related problems such as accidents or thefts. If you visit family in the US you are at risk of huge medical bills should you fall sick.

You should make sure you are as fully protected with travel insurance for a stay with family as you would be on any other vacation. Don’t risk any trip without travel insurance.