Travel insurance

Ames

Hi,

I'm booking a holiday to Italy in December, and because of all my health problems I think I need insurance - unless the Ehic card would cover me?

Is there anywhere to go that offers competitive rates?

I've looked on compare the market, but the quotes don't include cover for existing health problems, and so it seems a bit pointless as just about anything that could go wrong could be linked by insurers to my illnesses.

moose1982

I'm not sure about insurance quotes sadly, but, if you are on insulin, be aware you may need a note from your doctor for permission to carry liquid on a flight. This may not apply to a European flight, but I know it does on some and could be worth getting just in case.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Most of the comparison sites won't quote as far ahead as December, you could assuming you have a valid standard reciprocal EHIC card consider adding to its value by using AHIC plus to keep costs down.

- get a quote [ above ] it will give you some idea of a ball park figure

- if your EHIC needs renewing go here

Bootsalebargains

When we went to spain my husband was diabetic and on dialysis taking the machine with us on holiday, most companies wouldn't cover him but one called worldwide travel covered us and were quite cheap

Ames

Thanks everyone.

I'm not on insulin, or CD's.

My EHIC's still valid.

Having had a read of the EHIC site I think that'll mean I can get help abroad if I need it (which is unlikely), although I might have to pay and then reclaim when I get back.

I'll have a look at the sites mentioned when it gets nearer the time and I can get quotes.

Thanks for all the advice.

Mrs_Money

Diabetes UK have travel insurance to cover exicting medical conditions (you don't have to be diabetic I don't think) and whilst your EHIC covers you in Europe, it only gives you the same healthcare costs that other people in that country get. This could be expensive just for routine accidents, let alone if medical repatriation becomes necessary.

I am not aware that it is possible to reclaim such expenses from anybody on returning to this country.

krisskross

dometric wrote: »

I had a major problem trying to get insurance when I go abroad. Everybody told me that they wouldn't quote or gave stupid high rates.

Than I found out about cruising. I got a really good annual deal provided that I went with P&O or Cunard.

Now we have an annual cruise with Cunard and found that it was fantastic. The medical facilities aboard are second to none and they have all of the modern equipment you would ever need. AND they are all English nurses, doctors and surgeons.

Be aware though that if you are ill on board and medically disembarked you will be expected to settle the medical bill before getting off and these can be extremely high.

My husband was medically disembarked from a P&O ship last December. I was asked to settle the £3k+ bill before we left and certainly before our insurers had accepted the claim. This alone takes a few days. Be sure that you declare every single ailment you have ever had, as no decision will be taken until the insurers get your medical details from your GP.

Ames

It said on the government EHIC website that most normal health costs can be reclaimed once back in the UK, if not while you're still abroad. IIRC the exceptions were things like sports injuries, and a few other small things. It depends on the country though.

Thanks again for the links.

Two4Tuesday

I was taken ill in Brussels in January 2008 - and had no medical insurance. Luckily I did have an EHIC card. I spent one night in hospital before my family came over to bring me back.

The Belgian hospital sent me a bill for around 85 euros a few months later, being the part I had to pay - the rest was covered under the EHIC.

krisskross

Ames wrote: »

It said on the government EHIC website that most normal health costs can be reclaimed once back in the UK, if not while you're still abroad. IIRC the exceptions were things like sports injuries, and a few other small things. It depends on the country though.

Thanks again for the links.

We didn't have to pay anything for my husbands 3 week admission and treatment in the Canary Islands. The EHIC card covered it. However where the insurance company were amazing was arranging to get us home. If you rely on an EHIC card then you will have to sort this out yourself, and of course pay for it.

Another thing we were told was if you didn't have an EHIC card but would have been entitled to free care with it then the insurance company will refuse to meet the medical bill. It certainly was one of the 1st questions AXA asked me when I spoke to them when we got off the ship. Whether I had presented the card to the hospital....I had.

notsohappy11

Please get specialist travel insurance, I took a turn whilst in Belgium and was in hospital for 3 months there and then I needed to be taken back home securely, my insurance was over 140 for 2 weeks but it is worth every penny if you ever need to use it.

Liz