E111 - not a cheap alternative to travel insurance

A common misconception within the European Union, including the UK, Ireland and Spain, is that people are entitled to free treatment in each other's countries on production of an E111 form.

In some countries a person will be required to pay for medical treatment in advance of treatment, and then reclaim the costs when they get home.

So what should you look for when taking out a policy?

Underwriting terms. Many policies exclude pre-existing conditions (significant health problems you have suffered in the past). If the medical treatment needed by the traveller is related to that condition the policy will not be useful.

People concerned that they may be affected should look for a policy that offers what's called "full medical underwriting at the point of sale" so that they know what is covered (and the insurance company also knows).

Many pre-existing conditions can be covered through specialist companies for an additional premium (so get quotes!)

Essential Travel Cover

Premier TravelCover

Gold TravelCover

Direct guarantee and settlement for treatment. Check that the insurer can guarantee to pay a hospital's fees if treatment is needed, so that treatment can be given without delay.

People should also check that the insurance company will settle the medical fees directly with the hospital when they are well enough to leave.

Medical emergency cover

Repatriation. In an emergency, sometimes the cost to the policyholder of getting back to their homeland will not be covered. Even a short repatriation can be expensive: the price of an air ambulance from the Canary Islands (Spain) to the UK is about £16,000 and from the East Coast of the USA around £35,000

One of the main responsibilities of the travel insurer is to see that a person is admitted to a hospital with the necessary skills and resources to treat them.

By using multi-lingual doctors and nurses the insurance company can speak to the hospital direct to ensure that the right treatment is being given.

Emergency repatriation

Personal liability. People need to be adequately covered against the risk of being sued if they cause injury to someone or damage their property.

Many dismiss this as an issue for those playing golf or skiing but much simpler accidents have resulted in substantial medical costs and lawsuits eg someone breaking a hip after tripping over a handbag

Personal liability

Lost, damaged or stolen possessions. Airlines rarely lose baggage completely and the traveller should normally receive their luggage within a couple of days.

It's useful to have insurance cover to buy a change of clothes and some toiletries, so people should ensure that their policies include an element for baggage delay. Most policies will offer this for the outward part of the holiday only and for only £100 - £200 per person.

If the baggage is lost the new Montreal Convention allows compensation of about £800 if a flight is departing or arriving in any of the 54 countries that have signed the agreement.

You should think about whether this amount will replace your luggage and the contents.

Loss of baggage

Cancellation or curtailment. By having insurance as soon as the holiday is booked, the traveller can claim back the price of the trip if it has to be cancelled for a valid reason. eg a partner or child being taken seriously ill or redundancy.

Cancellation or curtailment

Winter sports. This is not only for skiers! Any injury incurred while in a winter environment eg glacier walking in the Alps during the summer, will not be covered unless winter sports is in the policy

Wintersports

Domestic travel.

Most don't bother with travel insurance if they are staying within their homeland. But with the exception of the medical treatment aspect, the majority of the insurance is equally valid for a domestic holiday as it is for a break abroad.

E111 - for current information about the E111 please check with current legislation. The above comments are for general information only...

( Case study - Spain )

For quotes, more information and agent assistance - please contact me!

For residents of all countries outside the UK, USA and Canada.

Annual multi-trip cover (BUPA Worldwide annual cover)

Single trip travel insurance (BUPA)

BUPA International Travel Insurance Supplement Scheme (if you already have international private medical cover - and don't want to pay twice for medical care!)

Annual multi-trip cover (BUPA Worldwide annual cover)	Agent assistance - Contact me!	Important notes
Main cover details	Policy exclusions	Single trip travel insurance
Travel Insurance Supplement Scheme (if you already have international private medical cover - and don't want to pay twice for medical care!)	Useful links and definitions (International travel insurance)	Your Policy and schedule

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