When it comes to arranging a foreign holiday, travel insurance is a must. Anyone who has fallen ill or had an accident abroad will know that healthcare costs for travellers can be astronomical, and that travel insurance can be a life saver.
The cost of the healthcare itself is not the only issue. Many travellers find their travel insurance falling short when they need to be flown home for treatment, only to find that their policy does not cover repatriation costs. The healthcare available varies dramatically from country to country, so you should take a look at the healthcare available within your holiday destination before deciding how much cover to obtain. Within the European Union, healthcare is generally good and can be subsidised by the UK government, and so a policy of around 1,000,000 GBP is advised. If you are travelling outwith Europe then a higher policy is advised, in the region of 2,000,000 GBP instead.
Most European countries now have arrangements with the UK government allowing UK visitors free or low-cost medical treatment during their visits. You should be aware however that this does not cover all treatment, which must be state-provided, and that travel insurance should always be obtained.
While the United Kingdom has arrangements with many countries that permits free or subsidised medical care costs to UK visitors, not all countries are covered, and not all treatments are covered. If you require treatment in a country with which the UK does not have a mutual agreement then there may be extra costs incurred in transporting you across a border to be treated. These costs can only be met by a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
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When choosing an insurance policy, make sure to look for a policy that covers twenty-four hour emergency service. Some insurers will not cover you for emergencies outside of working hours, so look out or this exclusion.
For added peace of mind, you should always carry the phone number of your insurance provider with you and your insurance reference number. You should also make sure that you take out a policy that gives 24-hour emergency cover.
Before purchasing any travel insurance, it is advisable to check any existing medical policies or credit card policies, as both can include some level of travel health insurance too.