With holidays abroad on the horizon for many, and the prospect of long-awaited overseas trips finally becoming a reality, securing appropriate travel insurance is now more critical than ever to safeguard you and your family against potential mishaps.
In recent months we have seen a number of people having suffered horrific injuries abroad needing to pay out of their own pocket for the urgent medical care they required and repatriation because they didn’t have any insurance cover in place to cover those medical expenses and help them get back home.
What is the difference between travel insurance and the EHIC/GHIC schemes?
Many of us have grown reliant on the existence of bilateral country agreements that provide basic healthcare cover when we travel abroad.
For British citizens seeking healthcare cover during temporary stays abroad, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and, for those with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) offer access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as locals, often for free or at a reduced cost. While both cards provide similar coverage, the GHIC is the standard replacement for the EHIC for most new applicants and has a slightly different scope of countries where it is valid. Before travelling abroad it is important to check if your destination is covered by either of the two schemes and register for free. You will receive a card in the post you can then use at local hospitals.
It’s crucial to understand that neither the GHIC nor the EHIC is a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance, as they do not cover all medical costs, private healthcare, or expenses like repatriation.
Why is travel insurance important?
In today’s climate of frequently changing travel regulations, it’s essential to not only have travel insurance but also to verify that your policy provides the necessary coverage for your specific needs.
Key considerations for your travel insurance
Bank account bundled insurance: While convenient, policies included with bank accounts may have limitations. Carefully review the terms and conditions to identify any coverage gaps. For instance, age restrictions might exclude you, or the policy might lack specific coverage for sports or activities you plan to undertake. Ensure all travelling family members are covered and understand if children need to travel with the account holder to benefit.
Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions: When applying for travel insurance, honestly and comprehensively declare any pre-existing health conditions. Failure to do so could invalidate your claim should you require medical assistance abroad. While some conditions may necessitate an additional premium, paying it is far wiser than risking a dispute with your insurer during an emergency. Having the right cover provides invaluable peace of mind.
Valuables protection: Scrutinize the policy’s coverage for your valuables, including electronic devices, jewellery, bags, and sporting equipment. Be aware of the single item value limit and assess if it adequately covers your belongings. Consider whether your home contents insurance offers sufficient cover for these items while you are away.
Destination validity and trip duration: Confirm that your travel insurance policy covers all your intended destinations. Remember that popular holiday spots like Turkey and Egypt are outside of Europe. If you’re planning an extended trip, check the policy’s maximum trip duration to ensure it aligns with your travel plans, especially if unforeseen circumstances might delay your return. If you anticipate multiple long trips throughout the year, verify that you won’t exceed any annual limits imposed by the policy.
Taking the time to thoroughly review your travel insurance policy or clarify any doubts with your insurer is a worthwhile investment. Just as you would ensure your diving equipment is in order before a diving holiday, make it a habit to confirm your insurance is suitable and valid before any trip.
Travelling to the USA without the right insurance cover
Accidents happen when you least expect them so it is important to be prepared. The below fictitious example illustrates a not uncommon scenario where not having the right insurance cover in place could leave you in a very difficult financial situation.
A family travelled to the USA for a holiday but didn’t have adequate travel insurance that covered serious medical emergencies. While there, one of the children suffered an accident in a playground requiring extensive hospital treatment, including surgery. Even though the mum had travel insurance through her bank, the cover had an exclusion clause for medical treatment in the States which the family had not been aware of. Sadly, this meant that they had to pay for the child’s treatment themselves and as the healthcare system in the States is fully privatised the final medical bills exceeded £200,000.
The child’s injury took place in the playground of their rented accommodation so the family got in touch with international personal injury lawyers here in the UK to see if they could sue the accommodation provider for negligence. After investigating the accident report and medical records the firm got in touch with the accommodation provider who promptly provided them with records proving that the playground was inspected regularly and was in line with local safety standards. In the child’s case sadly, what happened was that whilst swinging from a monkey bar they lost their grip and fell landing awkwardly fracturing their fankle in 3 different places. Unfortunately for the family there was no supporting evidence that the accident was caused by the negligence of the accommodation provider. It was just bad luck, so they had to rely on their travel insurance to cover the treatment costs which it sadly didn’t cover.
The family was forced to launch a desperate online fundraising campaign to try and cover the costs, facing immense financial strain and uncertainty during an already traumatic time.
How we can help
At Enable Law we have a dedicated international personal injury team led by Eleanor Armstrong that is always happy to speak to you or your loved one if you suffered an injury abroad and explore if there are any ways we can help you. To have a free, confidential discussion with a member of our team call us on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form so we can call you back at a time convenient for you.
A successful personal injury claim can help you access funds to recover costs of medical treatment but also recoup expenses caused by the injury during the trip and after but is not a substitute for having the right travel insurance in the first place.
