Part of the excitement of going on holiday is the chance to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do, experience new cultures and get a break from the daily routine. Many of us like to try out new sporting activities and adventure sports, whether it be bungee jumping, diving, white water rafting or skiing. The overwhelming majority of people who take part in these sorts of activities have a great time, but a small minority will get injured and need to seek medical attention. But will your insurance or EHIC cover you?
Read moreEHIC, the European Health Insurance Card, isn’t quite as straightforward as many people assume. This is a pan-European scheme which as well as including the EU countries also includes nations such as Norway and Switzerland, and the concept is to allow European card holders access to state healthcare when they travel overseas. The problem is that Europe doesn’t have one continent-wide healthcare system, so what you are covered for will depend on where you are, and the purpose of your visit.
Read moreFor most travellers, the health concerns they have when travelling in Europe are fairly minor. We’ve all known someone who has spent too long in the sun and suffered burns, or who has eaten something which has given them food poisoning. This summer though things have changed, as it seems that the Zika virus, which is endemic in parts of South America and appears to be causing birth defects, is very likely to spread to Europe. How real a risk is Zika, and how can we protect ourselves?
Read moreAround 11% of the UK population changes address every year. Every time you move house, there is a mountain of paperwork which requires to be changed too, and everyone from the bank and your employer to the DVLA and your GP needs to be told about your new contact details. One of the pieces of documentation which often gets overlooked is the EHIC cover, which allows UK residents to access healthcare in many European countries on the same basis as local residents. You must update the EHIC system each time you move house, and this is a relatively simple process.
Read moreIf there’s one thing which is certain in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the EU in June, it’s that there is a huge amount of confusion about what happens next. No country has ever chosen to leave the European Union before, and we’re entering uncharted territory. It’s understandable that so many people are confused and unsure about European matters, and this is especially the case when it comes to EHIC cover.
Read moreFamily holidays are supposed to be relaxing and carefree, but anyone who has ever travelled with babies and small children knows how quickly children can become ill or have an accident. Many parents will have heard of the EHIC system, which gives European citizens access to state healthcare across Europe at greatly reduced rates or free of charge, but there is still a great deal of confusion about how the system works and who needs to apply for the cover.
Read moreEvery year, around 40 million people across Europe apply for a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Like its predecessor the E111, EHIC is designed to give Europeans access to state healthcare across the continent at the same rates as residents of the countries concerned. EHIC can save you huge sums of money on your travel insurance, and can prove very useful if you have a per-existing or chronic condition and struggle to get adequate cover. There are however many misconceptions about EHIC, how it works and where it can be used, so if you are thinking about applying for EHIC for your next European trip, start by working out whether it is accepted in the countries you are thinking of visiting.
Read moreGoing away with the school to a European destination is one of those rights of passage which we all look back on so fondly when we remember our schooldays. Whether it’s skiing in the French Alps or a history trip to the battlefields of Belgium, this sort of trip is both educational and a social experience for all concerned. Parents wave their kids off hoping that they’ll have a great experience, but that more importantly they’ll be safe and well when away from home. Depending on the school, and the location of the school trip, parents may have to take on a little more responsibility.
Read moreDiabetes is said by many health professionals to be the fastest growing serious health issue. Around 3.5 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with the condition, and there are probably several hundreds of thousands more who have diabetes, but haven’t been diagnosed. 1 in 16 people living in the UK are either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetics, and although this condition can be managed successfully, it can have serious implications when it comes to looking for medical cover for trips overseas.
Read moreThe cruise market in the UK is booming. Passenger numbers hit an all-time high in 2015, and new ships being brought into service by the major cruise lines cater to all types of passengers, and increasingly families with younger children. The benefits of cruising are clear; you get to experience a variety of different destinations over the course of a week or a fortnight, with all of the luxury of a five star hotel to come home to every night. Cruising is not dangerous by any stretch of the imagination, but travellers are always advised to take out travel insurance. EHIC – the European Health Insurance Card – is thought by many travellers to cover them treatment in the public healthcare system during trips to European countries, and for most holidaymakers this is indeed true. However, there are specific issues surrounding cruises which passengers should be aware of.
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