If you or a loved one falls ill or has an emergency abroad, you want to know that you can afford the best possible healthcare at the point of need. For this reason, holiday insurance is essential for peace of mind, so that you know that should you require it, the best treatment can be paid for.
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.
Another possible way to save on travel insurance is to examine any private health plans you may have, as some of these policies may already insure you for foreign travel. Alternatively you could take a look at your credit card policy, as some cards include overseas health insurance also.
Those who have any current medical conditions should also always let their insurer know about this before purchasing a policy. If you do not declare an existing condition, then your cover may be null and void when you come to need it.
Another point to note is that if you have a pre-existing medical condition, then you should always make your insurer aware of this fact. Cover for those with pre-existing conditions is available from a variety of insurers, and you can also try specialist insurance brokers.
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