EU scheme does not replace travel insurance

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Mon, 15 May 2006

Holidaymakers are being warned that the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) complements rather than replaces traditional Travel Insurance policies.

The new card replaced the standard E111 form at the start of the year and entitles the holder to emergency medical treatment in a number of European countries. However, the EHIC is not the same as standard Travel Insurance and does not offer protection against cancelled trips or lost baggage.

There are also limits on how the EHIC can be used when it comes to medical assistance as the card only provides the same standard of healthcare that is on offer to residents. Therefore, holidaymakers could be able to access basic treatment but would be forced to pay-out for so-called "secondary" treatment such as X-rays or blood tests.

Dawn McMullan, travel product manager with insurers Norwich Union, explained: "Some areas, such as Benidorm in Spain, only have private hospitals, so even if you had an EHIC you would not be able to use it."

Therefore, travellers are advised to make sure their EHIC is also accompanied by a good value-for-money policy.


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