Confusion over EHIC
Wednesday, 06 Aug 2008 16:24
Over two million Britons travelled within the EU in the past year without taking out travel insurance, relying instead on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Research by American Express Insurance shows that people remain confused over what the EHIC card covers.
The EHIC entitles UK residents to free or reduced cost healthcare depending on the country they are visiting.
The EHIC replaced the old E111 form for travellers within the EEA in January 2006.
When American Express Insurance Services polled 10,000 travel customers between May and July 2007 it found 16 per cent of respondents had never heard of the EHIC and only one in five knew which countries were covered by EHIC scheme.
American Express head of insurance services Chris Rolland warns that they are "not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance".
Travellers will not be covered for delays, loss of baggage or cancellations as they would under a travel insurance policy.
The countries covered under the EHIC scheme are Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus); the Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; the Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden and Switzerland.
Discounted travel insurance is often available for customers who carry an EHIC.