Rather pay than give in

Sorry I meant to explain, but the list of emojis shoukd be familiar to anyone. I don’t think we have one for [nasty face]
That was grin to indicate a degree of levity .
But you can’t deny it is one of the Donald’s favourite phrases!
Dare I risk it again -

MawBe

biba70

Been thinking about it, and I know so many friends and family in the UK who will find it very difficult now to either go on holiday (ah well, never mind)- or to go and stay in the second home (some very modest) they bought in good faith in nearby France or other EU, but mainly those whose adult children and grand-children are currently living in the EU or Switzerland- and who, for medical reasons, will not be able to get insurance cover. So sad.

youtu.be/yMrD6iBgpfU

My personal experience only, but after DH’s transplant we had to shop around various travel insurance companies recommended by the HeptoRenal people . And yes it cost more, as in all the future years once he had listed all his admissions to hospital, operations etc And yes, we were in the EU at the time.
But so what?

So glad for the assurance that these second homes are a) modest and b) bought in good faith. Wouldn’t want to waste sympathy on owners of villas in tax havens would we?
As Donald Trump would say “So sad ”

To add type [ grin]

Yes, but we are here talking about EU days, when medical insurance for people with
pre-existing condition/s was very expensive, but accessible, available even- because EHIC covered the emergency part - private insurance covered the interim and the earliest possible safe repatriation to NHS care. Travel Insurance recovered the emergency part of cost- and this made it as cheap as possible.

Yes but, yes but, yes but..... biba every holiday you book clearly tells you to make sure that you should arrange for full travel insurance and not to solely rely on EHIC; you know this so what is the point of labouring the point? Very few countries have a free at the point of access healthcare system like the NHS, so you'd have to be completely irresponsible, or stupid, to rely on EHIC alone.

Previously I’ve had Annual Travel insurance tacked on to my house insurance, cost £120 for Worldwide including US.
Now of course Covid related claims have been excluded, so it will be a search when traveling becomes possible again.

Madness to go anywhere without insurance at that cost

I know no-one who has travelled to Europe either, without travel insurance, even young people who are fit and healthy. Travel insurance covers many eventualities including delays, lost baggage as well as the health aspect.

The EHIC card may be useful within its limitations.
From the Government website:
It's important to have both an EHIC and a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes healthcare in place before you travel.

All these attempt at scoring points, nasty comments and inaccurate information is detracting from the thread.

I would be interested to hear from someone with multiple conditions, who has gone to Europe, relying soley on the EHIC card and has had extensive treatment, without travel insurance.

A number of years ago, I went on on a study trip to the University of Lyons, funded by my Local Education Authority and the British Council.
The EHIC card was not enough. I had to be covered by the LA through their insurance policy. They obviously didn't think the card was enough either.

WHICH is scaremongering.
They say premiums may go up.
Of course, they may not, because the more people who take out insurance and do not claim, the more money the insurance company makes therefore premiums would remain competitive.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I spent a fortune on travel insurance last year, when I travelled to New York, part of my bucket list.
As Callistemon says, Peace of mind, not only for me, but my family.

I was fortunate that I could afford to pay for insurance, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have even considered going.
The way things are going I will be uninsurable soon, so I will just holiday in the UK, lots of beautiful and interesting places to visit.

With Parky

I agree

The way they have treated us just because the people had decided they wanted a change and come out of the EU is disgusting! Why do they so desperately want us to stay? Surely if the EU was so marvellous they should just let us find out the hard way? Their behaviour just convinced me more that leaving was the right thing to do.

We travel to our place in France armed with the EHIC and travel insurance through our bank. We paid into the French system for many years but still had to provide all sorts of documents to prove this if we rocked up at the hospital.
I have accompanied a fair few British visitors and school children to Urgences during their stays in France and before any treatment was given we always had to go into le bureau to fill out the forms in triplicate.

Yes, Australia is a lot further to repatriate from than France- strangely enough.

Good post Callistemon.

My father usually spends a month in Goa each winter and comes to Spain with us for the odd week in summer - as he’s 86 with a couple of pre-existing conditions, he pays an absolute fortune for insurance.

He jokes about being frivolous with our inheritance but I’m perfectly content for him to spend his money on his precious holidays (my brother? Not so much ?)

Having a holiday abroad is a little bit like buying a fancy car - it’s not just the initial cost, it’s the extras that also need serious thought.

Chewbacca

^The EHIC would not have covered extensive medical care.^

Any one with an ounce of common sense would know that.

Yes, but we are here talking about EU days, when medical insurance for people with pre-existing condition/s was very expensive, but accessible, available even- because EHIC covered the emergency part - private insurance covered the interim and the earliest possible safe repatriation to NHS care. Travel Insurance recovered the emergency part of cost- and this made it as cheap as possible.

Read the WHICH report - this will all change. EHIC even covered for dialysis when in the EU.

I do not have square brackets, so can't use the emoticons available on GN - hence 'nasty face/grin' comment.

Australia has a reciprocal arrangement with the UK and DH and I have both received emergency treatment but would never go without proper travel insurance; thank goodness not had to use it so far but it is an expense we know we have to add to the cost of an extended stay. To leave the airport in Singapore for just half a day would have cost an extra £50 each so we gave it a miss last time.

Likewise when going to European countries although the insurance cost was considerably less.

It brings peace of mind.

Anecdotal only but I heard of someone who had to sell their house here because they fell ill in the USA and didn't have full travel insurance.

Thank you for your voice of reason Marydoll

I have multiple health conditions and as a frequent traveller to EU countries have always purchased specialist travel insurance.
The E111 only covers basic treatment, I would never risk travelling without insurance, that would be totally foolhardy. No-one with comorbidities should ever consider not buying insurance and leaving family with huge bills, if they become seriously ill abroad.
No-one is being insensitive, just practical.

The cost of insurance also varies, depending on which area of the world you live in.
You also have to bear in mind that you need to be covered in the event of having to be flown home for treatment or even worse, dead!
Some posters on here seem to be very ill informed.

Chewbacca there were often threads on GN which discussed the best travel insurance options for anyone with pre-existing conditions, the relative costs etc.
They were very helpful - and always supportive.

It does cost a lot but I will repeat that anyone with a pre-existing condition would be foolish to go abroad without travel insurance, the EHIC was not extensive enough and in fact anyone would be wise to take it out.

It is a cost that has to be factored into any trip or stay overseas.

The EHIC would not have covered extensive medical care.

Any one with an ounce of common sense would know that.

GillT57 only someone very foolish would have travelled to the EU or anywhere if they had pre-existing conditions.
Without travel insurance

Trump ? Maw and a nasty face - thought better of you really.

And what is that supposed to mean?
I think you are getting yourself wound up over a misunderstanding about what the WHICH report said.

I don't know anyone who travelled anywhere without taking out insurance.
And I dont appreciate the dig at me about those with family overseas because you know my family are in another country.

GillT57 only someone very foolish would have travelled to the EU or anywhere if they had pre-existing conditions.
Without travel insurance

Calm down biba. It has always been the case that anyone with pre existi g health conditions paid a much higher premium for overseas health insurance than anyone else. I clearly remembering there being a thread, not so long ago, by a Gnetter who was hoping to fly to Rome but all of the travel insurance quotes were coming in at over £2000 simply because her health was so poor.