The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is extremely important for any British families heading abroad for a trip.
The card enables Britons to medical care in a European country, depending on what the injury or illness is.
However, over 54 per cent of people think that it allows them any free medical care in Europe, according to a survey from GoCompare.
By thinking this, holiday goers could be in for a nasty surprise.
The EHIC card only allows free medical care to the same level that the state offers to the citizens of that country.
However, it doesn’t cover the medical attention if it isn’t something that would be offered to locals living there.
Therefore if something like a broken leg or multiple injuries that may cost the citizens of the country, then it will also cost British travellers.
It may come as a shock to many travellers.
It also doesn’t cover instances such as air ambulances or medical repatriation, as well as any treatment that Britons are going abroad specifically for.
This needs to be covered by travel insurance policies, providing they also offer adequate cover for what is being done on the holiday.
Therefore without travel insurance as well, it can cost tens of thousands of pounds if something does go wrong in a foreign country.
Caroline Lloyd, travel insurance spokesperson at Gocompare.com, commented: “Having an EHIC can help you to access free or, more likely, discounted emergency medical services whilst abroad but it’s not a guarantee that you won’t have to pay anything.
“Having an EHIC may also mean that you don’t have to claim on your travel insurance and pay an excess for minor injuries.
“Holidaymakers should always arrange suitable travel insurance to ensure they’re covered for medical treatment and repatriation if necessary. £1m of medical cover should be adequate for most situations.
“Look at it as complementing your own travel insurance rather than replacing it otherwise you may end up with a hefty medical bill.”
