In these modern times, when saving money and cutting back on unnecessary
spending is at the forefront of everybody's mind, spending on
travel
is one of the first casualties of the credit crunch and the ensuing
recession. For those who are still prepared to travel to far off
places for a holiday, the temptation is to save money by
avoiding investing in an adequate travel
insurance policy. This, as
this article will reveal, can result in immensely adverse financial
implications, which can have lifelong consequences.
Holidaying in the UK
In the UK and other countries, there exists a state funded National
Health Service. This means that, if you holiday at home, you will be covered for any health issues that arise. However, you will still need to invest
insurance to cover you for accidental damage to your goods, theft or cancellation of the holiday for reasons beyond your control.
However, due, in the main to the all-too predictable British
climate, where it frequently rains during the very months that
people wish to take a holiday, holidaymakers tend to look further afield. The most notable of
travel destinations is Europe, where
summer sunshine can almost be guaranteed.
Travelling to the EU
If you wish to travel to the EU for a holiday you are covered, at
least in part, by a reciprocal arrangement between the Member States
of the European Union, which provides for health care to be provided
to travellers. This Health Care requires that the traveller obtains a European
Health Insurance Card, which must be produced when claiming the
advantage of reciprocal arrangements. Failure to obtain the card
might well result in the European Health provider refusing to
provide health care. Even more potentially disastrous is the fact
that, consequently, if you have taken out a
travel insurance policy,
any claim that arises through your failure to obtain the European
Health Insurance Card may well be rejected. Some may question the
need, of course, for travel insurance at all when travelling to a
member state of the EU, when if you have your insurance card, you
can claim health care. The reasons are twofold. Firstly, the
European reciprocal scheme means no more than that you can claim
health care oh the same terms as the citizens of the member state
that you are visiting. Some of the member states, for example
France, where it is 20%, require a partial payment by the patient.
Your travel insurance would cover that contribution. Secondly, you
will still need a travel
insurance policy to cover you against
cancellation, accident or theft and possible to cover the cost of
repatriation if you are unable to return home without special
transportation arrangements. Therefore, for travel to Europe, you
should always obtain both the European Health Insurance card and an
adequate travel insurance policy before your departure.
Holidaying beyond the UK and Europe
There are certain countries in the world where reciprocal health
treatment arrangements can be applied for. Australia is one example.
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