European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The new name for the E111 is form is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). the E111 is no longer valid.
You will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary health care during a visit to an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
The EHIC:
- Normally valid for three to five years
- Covers medical treatment necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident
- Access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you’ll be treated on the same basis as an ‘insured’ person living in the country you’re visiting
- Remember, this might not cover all the things you’d expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.
YOU SHOULD NOT SEE THE EHIC AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRAVEL INSURANCE.
A travel insurance policy provides far more comprehensive cover and benefits including:
- Repatriation
- Baggage
- Liability
- Personal accident
If you have arranged a EHIC and travel insurance it is not unusual for the travel insurers to delete their excess in the event of a medical claim.
For more information please visit NHS Choices – EHIC
Maximum stay per trip
With all travel insurance policies there are limitations on how long you can travel. This depends on your age and your destination.
The durations listed on the website are only available through companies NOT found on the web. Please call us to arrange a quote for you
UK Trips
Annual multi trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 100 days per trip
- 66 – 85 years of age – 35 days per trip
Single trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 18 months
- 66 – 75 years of age – 12 months
EUROPE Trips
Annual multi trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 100 days per trip
- 66 – 85 years of age – 35 days per trip
Single trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 18 months
- 66 – 75 years of age – 12 months
AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND Trips
Annual multi trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 100 days per trip
- 66 – 85 years of age – 35 days per trip
Single trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 18 months
- 66 – 80 years of age – 12 months
WORLDWIDE (excluding USA, CANADA and the CARIBEAN) Trips
Annual multi trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 100 days per trip
- 66 – 85 years of age – 35 days per trip
Single trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 18 months
- 66 – 80 years of age – 12 months
WORLDWIDE ( including USA, CANADA and the CARIBEAN) Trips
Annual multi trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 100 days per trip
- 66 – 85 years of age – 35 days per trip
Single trip policies:
- Up to 65 years of age – 18 months
- 66 – 80 years of age – 12 months
Before you travel
To help you have a safe holiday, here are the top 10 things to do before you go:
- Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) travel advice on their website or call 0845 850 2829
- Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate
- Find a good guidebook and get to know your destination, including its local laws and customs
- Ensure you have a valid passport and necessary visas
- Visit your GP at least 6 weeks before you go to check what vaccinations you need and whether you need to take extra health precautions
- Make sure your travel organiser can provide sufficient evidence of security for the refunding and repatriation of customers in the event of insolvency. This security must be in place by one of several financial protection organisations
- If your travel involves passage on airlines with which you are unfamiliar, you may wish to check their safety and reliability with a reputable travel agent
- Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details – leave copies with your family and friends
- Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, e.g. travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars
- Leave a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you, such as email or mobile, with family and friends
Sporting or dangerous activities travel insurance
If you intend to participate in sports or other activities you need to check you are covered.
Not all travel policies are the same. An acceptable activity with one insurer may be a refusal or additional premium required with another.
At Insurance Choice we have a panel of insurers all specialising in different areas. This way we are confident we can assist you regardless of the type of holiday you are taking.
Between our insurers there are more than 150 activities that are acceptable as standard or for an additional premium travel insurance.
Make sure you check and declare to us what you are doing so we can confirm cover is in place.
Children Travelling Alone travel insurance
We can cater for this within our standard single trip policies.
If your child is travelling on their own then they will receive the full benefits as if they were travelling with an adult. Unfortunately in return for this the insurers will charge an adult rate (children’s premiums are normally half price).
The benefit of covering a child traveling on their own only applies to single trip policies. If you purchase an Annual Multi Trip policy then a child traveling on their own will not be covered.
Pregnancy and travel insurance
As is consistent with the treatment of all pre-existing medical conditions under the policy, the policy does not intend to cover the normal costs or losses otherwise associated with pregnancy (including multiple pregnancy) or childbirth.
This includes, but is not limited to, delivery by caesarean section or any other medically or surgically assisted delivery which does not cause medical complications. The policy does, however, cover you should complications arise with your pregnancy due to accidental bodily injury or unexcepted illness which occurs while on your trip.
