Most of us are well aware that we need to tell our travel insurance company about any illnesses which we have, or anything which we have spoken to the doctor about and is still under investigation. However, many cancer patients who have been given the all-clear by doctors after successful treatment have discovered that they are penalised when it comes to arranging travel insurance and end up being quoted very high sums for their policy, or being refused cover entirely. So what are the options in these situations?
Read moreWhen was the last time you checked to see when your EHIC cover is due to expire? Although most of us check passport expiry when organising a holiday, years can go past without ever looking at that little blue and white card which allows you to access healthcare in many countries in Europe on the same basis as residents of the country you’re visiting. Many people also mistakenly believe that EHIC does not have an expiry date when in fact the card is valid for five years from the date of issue.
Read moreDespite the UK’s very recent decision to leave the EU, at the moment it’s very much business as usual. That means that if you are planning a visit to any of the countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) for a holiday or on business, you can still take advantage of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme, which allows you to access state healthcare at the same charge as locals, or free of charge in some cases. It’s a card which could save you a fortune if you fall ill overseas, and getting one doesn’t have to be complicated.
Read moreNobody wants to get ill on holiday. That’s why most of us get organised with EHIC cover which allows us to access state healthcare in Europe on the same basis as residents of that country, or take out additional travel insurance to get us home for treatment in an emergency. The old saying though is that prevention is better than cure, so maximise the chances of your EHIC remaining safely in your wallet by following a few sensible tips.
Read moreEHIC is a Europe wide system which allows UK residents who have applied for their cards in advance to access healthcare across 32 countries on the same basis as residents of the country concerned. One common misconception is that EHIC will give UK residents free healthcare overseas as we do not pay to see doctors or go to hospital in the UK. This isn’t actually the case, and many countries do have a system of patient contributions towards costs. There are however some countries where you can get free medical care using your EHIC, providing certain conditions are met.
Read moreThe rise of budget airlines certainly means that we can fly more cheaply than ever, and many of us are using the budget carriers like EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 to cut the cost of the annual holiday. Although the fares might be cheaper, budget airlines often charge extra for luggage, or limit the amount of luggage you can take with you. If you’re flying off on holiday with a budget carrier it makes sense to keep what you’re taking with you to a minimum. So what are the real essentials for your holiday packing?
Read moreIt’s one of the most common pieces of advice given to people leaving the UK to travel on business or for a holiday – avoid drinking the tap water and only drink bottled. But is this overcautious? It’s certainly wise to avoid drinking tap water in developing countries where hygiene and sanitation standards do not come up to the same levels we expect in the UK. All sorts of nasty conditions from cholera to dysentery can be caught from impure drinking water in hot countries in Asia or Africa, but what if you are sticking to Europe for your travel?
Read moreIn the past, wheelchair users have been put off travelling overseas because of the lack of wheelchair access in many cities, and the problems in getting on and off transport. Here in the UK, accessibility is built into every new building, hotel or transportation network, and many of our European neighbours are wheelchair-friendly too. Some cities do better than others though, so if you are travelling with a wheelchair user in the future, what should be top of your list for potential city break destinations?
Read moreIf you’re one of the 78% of British holidaymakers who take their smartphones on holiday, you’ll know that it can be hugely useful to have access to internet and email when you’re away from home. There are lots of clever ways to use your smartphone to make life easier on holiday – and perhaps save you money too.
Read moreMany families are aware of the concept of the EHIC system – the reciprocal healthcare agreements between European countries which allow travellers to access state healthcare across the continent while on holiday or business. Although awareness of the system is fairly high, the way in which EHIC works is not as widely understood. One of the major areas of confusion is how children get cover, who has to apply, and when.
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