Cover Abroad

The medical cover to which you are entitled abroad will depend on the insurance policy you choose. Some providers will offer you basic cover abroad, that is, cover for emergency treatment if you become ill unexpectedly whilst travelling; other insurers will not cover you at all for treatment abroad. You may find that your insurer asks you to pay an additional sum for extra cover, or offers you the chance to purchase a travel insurance policy from them, which covers you for medical treatment abroad.

It is important to ensure that you are covered for eventual health problems abroad; do not assume that your insurance provider will cover treatment. Many basic health insurance and travel insurance policies offer minimal cover for foreign medical care, see Exclusions, so falling ill outside the UK can become a very expensive problem. If you read your policy booklet carefully to check the cover you have before you travel, you should be able to avoid unpleasant surprises, purchasing extra cover in advance if necessary.

Remember however that as a UK resident you are automatically entitled to health care when abroad in another member country of the European Union or European Economic Area (EEA). You will usually only be entitled to treatment when there is a specific emergency, or you become ill whilst travelling. In order to prove that you are entitled to health care abroad you will need to carry a European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC. This confirms that you are entitled to health care abroad; for details see European Health Insurance Card.

You will need to purchase travel insurance to cover the costs of healthcare and specific medical costs abroad, but the EHIC is important because it is recognised internationally. If you purchase travel insurance you may be asked to prove that you have an EHIC.

Many people feel that the cover provided by the EHIC, combined with basic cover from a travel insurance policy, provides sufficient protection for their trip. If you are concerned about falling ill abroad and facing large medical bills you could purchase a comprehensive private health insurance policy which offers foreign cover, or a comprehensive medical travel insurance that offers a high level of financial cover in case you face a long hospital stay or require repatriation.