Understanding The European Health Insurance Card

Few things seem to cause as much confusion to holidaymakers as the relationship between single trip travel insurance and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Here we will go through some of the basics by way of explanation.

Euro stuff

Whether you are a Europhile or Europhobe, youll probably admit that the principle of getting health treatment free in any European member state country you are visiting is an attractive one. In fact, this is typically the case and you can apply to obtain your free treatment card called, rather inelegantly, the EHIC, through the NHS website. Access to the card is entirely free and you dont have to pay a penny for it.

What that means is that if you are unlucky enough to be taken ill or suffer an accident in the country you are visiting, your card will entitle you to the same degree of health care as would be provided to people in the country concerned. Its a great system but you might be wondering why, if thats the case, single trip travel insurance might ever be required?

Limitations

There are two things to keep in mind when you are considering just what protection your EHIC offers you. Firstly, the card only entitles you to the same degree of free medical health care as would be provided to people in the country you are visiting. Bear in mind that in some European Union countries, certain forms of medical care (which are free in the United Kingdom) are, in fact, chargeable. As a result, in some situations, you might still find yourself facing a hefty bill.

Secondly, there is potentially a whole range of health-related costs you may incur, which would not be covered by your EHIC. For example, if an injury meant you required medical repatriation back to the UK, you may be finding yourself writing a very large cheque. Thats because it is a benefit that would not be applicable to local residents. There may be a significant number of other such examples.

Additional benefits

Its also worth remembering that single trip travel insurance typically covers you for a number of risks that are not directly related to your health. Examples might include things such as the loss of your baggage, serious travel delays or the replacement of stolen items.

Summary

Travel insurance typically offers much broader-based cover than that which is provided by an EHIC. Of course you could simply go on holiday with no cover at all and hope your luck holds; however, if you would prefer to keep your gambling restricted to casinos and race courses, it might be advisable to think seriously about having the peace of mind that comes with an appropriate policy.

Single trip travel insurance, as the name suggests, is a cost-effective way of providing cover for one trip only. There are, of course, also policies that are available over a period of time irrespective of how many trips you might make which may be more appropriate and cost-effective for frequent travellers.

About the Author:
Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of Insuremore. We provide low cost travel insurance and offer a range of policies including single trip travel insurance, annual, multi-trip and family insurance. For all your travel insurance needs, Insuremore can help you in the quickest and most cost-efficient way.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Understanding-The-European-Health-Insurance-Card/4571970

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