The world of insurance is one that is filled with head spinning jargon, technical terms and more than a fair share of myths, misconceptions and misunderstandings. In a bid to debunk and demystify, here we do away with the baffling langue and put paid to the many rumours and tittle-tattle that swirl around simply ensuring you’re covered when indulging in sea, sun and sangria.
1. You don’t need travel insurance if you have a European Health Insurance Card
Your European Health Insurance Card (known as E-HIC) only covers you in EEA countries, and countries with reciprocal health agreements with the UK. Beyond this however, and perhaps most important to understand, is that this card will only cover your medical treatment. Potential charges outside of this include ambulance fees, contributions to treatment (as is usual in certain countries) and mountain search, air ambulance and rescue service fees. Beyond these there are also travel and accommodation charges to consider. It will also not cover repatriation costs to get you home if needed.
2. Foreign medical treatment is cheap – you could just cover the cost yourself
Whilst there are many countries where treatment could be considered ‘cheap’ for the average westerner’s pocket, there are also many rising economies throughout the world where treatment could amount to a considerable cost. What’s more there is a wide array of serious medical emergencies where extensive care could be required, resulting in significant bills, even where you’re based in a developing country.
On the other hand, even where you simply need a stich or two – you should consider whether the cheapest of establishments in a developing country could prove to deliver both treatment and infection in equal measure.
3. Your travel insurance will allow for treatment wherever you wish
Five star luxury medical facility? Hmmm, not always. Hospitals with catering that puts the NHS to shame? Probably not. But you’ll receive private healthcare, right? Well this could be wrong, also. The majority of travel insurance policies cover you for treatment in the nearest state-run facility (although they may consider privately run facilities should there be no public hospital nearby).
4. Your age or illnesses mean that you’re un-insurable
As long as you’re not going on an adrenaline pumping, life-endangering trip of skiing, snowboarding or parasailing then most insurers will cover you up to the age of 99 (even if you have pre-existing medical conditions).
5. Skipping your medical history or existing conditions can save you a pretty penny
There’s only one thing that skimming over your medial history or skipping your medical conditions can achieve: and that’s a voided insurance policy. If you’re making the wise decision to insure yourself, then it makes sense to ensure that your policy will pay out if and when you should need it to. Always declare any pre-existing conditions to ensure you are covered.
6. When you purchase travel insurance, you’re covered come what may
Not all travel insurance covers you in any and every medical emergency. Most specifically this can exclude injuries sustained whilst mountain exploring over 2,000 meters and sole scuba diving. If you’re planning on embarking on any such activities you should really play it safe and ask the insurer directly what you are, and aren’t, covered to do.
You should also be aware that in the majority of cases you won’t be covered should you injure another person (if you accidently hit someone over the head with your scuba tank, for example).
