European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The European Health Insurance Card (formerly E111) should be carried by all UK travelers in addition to travel insurance. The EHIC will cover the holder to free or discounted medical treatment in any European Economic Area country as well as Switzerland.
The EHIC is not a replacement for single or multi-trip travel insurance as the coverage is limited. It won’t cover you for repatriation costs, losses due to crime or natural disasters, lost baggage, or cancellation fees. Always carry the card with you when you travel. You don’t want to have medical treatment delayed because you can’t locate your card. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has a 5 year expiry date so ensure that you are carrying a valid card.
Single Trip Insurance
In addition to your European Health Insurance Card you will want to obtain travel insurance to cover any contingencies that may occur on your trip. If your travel consists of one trip per year, then you will want to look for a competitive single trip insurance rate with adequate coverage. Ensure that the plan includes your destination and the duration of your trip.
Disclose all activities that you plan on participating in to your insurer such as scuba diving or skiing. You may not be covered for hazardous activities in a basic single trip insurance plan. You don’t want to find out that the insurer won’t pay because the activity wasn’t covered.
Each country in the European Economic Area has their own unique healthcare system so be prepared with an EHIC and single trip insurance. Even if you are in excellent health, accidents do happen and the costs can be massive if you are not covered. To receive a competitive rate, visit a travel insurance comparison website. Make sure to read the small print. The cheapest rate is not always the best rate.