ALLCLEAR WARNS OF CONFUSING MESSAGES ON HOLIDAY INSURANCE

ALLCLEAR WARNS OF CONFUSING MESSAGES ON HOLIDAY INSURANCE

Reliance on EHIC is leaving holidaymakers at risk
Did you know that if you’re injured on top of a ski slope during your winter holiday, a rescue helicopter can cost up to £3,000 per hour!

Holidaymakers are in danger of travelling uninsured or inadequately insured because of a fundamental lack of understanding of what they need, according to AllClear, a specialist travel insurer.

EHIC – the European Health Insurance Card – may still leave holidaymakers facing massive bills for drugs, contributions to treatment costs, and the expense of repatriation to the UK.

“At a time when the number of people going on holiday without travel insurance is increasing, there are some that are not properly informed,” says Chris Blackman, Head of Product Development at AllClear. “Those who think being covered by EHIC means not having to worry, should seriously think again.”

• EHIC covers me for all European countries. No. EHIC covers you for most European countries, but not all like Andorra, northern Cyprus, Monaco or The Vatican City. In some countries such as Greece, the responsibility for day-to-day nursing care including feeding, clothing and washing is down to the family or next of kin.
• EHIC will ensure all of my bills are paid. No. EHIC entitles you to reduced cost or free healthcare, equivalent to the treatment of a national. However, if the infrastructure of the country leans towards private medical care, EHIC will at best only cover a percentage of the costs.

• I don’t need insurance travelling in the UK. Wrong. Estimates show that up to 80% of people in the UK holiday without any insurance. This means they will not be covered if they need to cancel their trip, if their luggage goes missing or is stolen, or for the insolvency of holiday service providers such as coaches, hotels, excursion companies, etc.

• If I fall ill while I’m abroad I’ll just come home. This is especially unwise. Illness can strike quickly and with dramatic consequences, especially for those with a pre-existing medical condition even if it has been declared. And once in the care of doctors abroad, you will not be able to travel until they are satisfied you are well enough to do so.

• I have a medical condition and the cost of insurance is too high. Premiums can on the face of it appear high, but they are nothing compared to the cost you will be facing if something should go wrong. A man on a four week cruise with a heart condition paid £350 per week in insurance for his holiday, but this seemed like nothing compared to the £100,000 claim he put in later for having been hospitalised and flown back to the UK after suffering a heart attack.

For further information visit: allclearretail.co.uk