Travel insurance - medical cover

mrtubs

Hi

During my holidays over the past few years I have had a couple of minor problems. One time I had a really sore throat, I visited one of the many "private" doctors on Cyprus, was given antibiotics and charged about 60 euros. I claimed this from my travel insurance (I have no excess) and it was paid without problem.

Another time I had a similar problem in Tenerife, this time it was passing water and again just needed antibiotics. However I went to a state facility. In contrast to the private Doctor it took hours of hanging around, and I had to fill forms in in Spanish, which I do not speak. I really wished I had gone to a private doctor then.

Now renewing my annual insurance I notice that they all say that I have to go to a state facility, not private, and use my EC11 health card.

My question is:

What is the point of having £10 million pounds of medical expenses cover if you can only use the free cover provided by the EC11? And are there any insurance companies that would allow you to go private?

Thanks

sheramber

You may need specialist treatment that the state facility do not do.

EC11will not repatriate you if you are unable to travel normally e'g two seats because a leg is in plaster, you need an air ambulance home, you die and your body needs to be repatriated.

jonesMUFCforever

IMO all insurance policies (any kind) will have a term whereby you have to 'minimise your losses' -- so if the local doctor is cheaper for them they don't give a monkeys if you have to hang around for hours.
Post 2 gives you the reason you need the millions of health cover just in case.

mrtubs

Thanks for your advice

Ian