Have EHIC card, going to Brittany for 2 weeks in September, do I really need travel insurance?

I’m afraid the answer is yes you do. I have the EHIC card but I buy annual travel insurance as big financial cost. I’m 76 and have several well managed health issues as many of us do by our age
I only travel in Europe and never needed to claim. It isn’t about being cremated abroad it’s if you have something like a stroke that means hospital and issues about return flights

I can only agree with Iam64 essential at our age you really need to be sure you can get that flight home should it be necessary

I think it unwise to travel outside UK without proper insurance.
It could get you into all sorts of problems. If you go on comparison sites you might be lucky enough to find a reasonably priced one. Good luck.

I would never go abroad without travel insurance. For a start, if one of you dies while you are out there, the body will need to be brought home. That will involve funeral directors, in both countries, who will need to be paid, not only for the funeral, but for collecting the body from France ( this will take at least two people, a hearse, a coffin and copious paperwork). I have no idea what the French authorities will charge for keeping the body at the undertaker’s there until you can make the necessary arrangements for bringing the body home. If both of you were to die there (for example, in an accident), both bodies would need to be brought home. You don’t say if you have family, but if you do, the cost of this would fall on them. If you have no-one, I have no idea what the French would do if the bodies aren’t claimed. In any event, the cost would be eye-watering!
Insurance would negate most of these worries and in my opinion, you would be very unwise not to have it.
Years ago, my husband and I travelled frequently to our holiday home in France. It was only a three hour trip door to door from our home in Kent and only about two hours of driving abroad, but we always had insurance. We never needed it, but the security of knowing it was there was priceless. We believed that it was tempting fate not to cover the whole trip. Sod’s law and all that!
Try Saga or another Senior citizen site. They may have some guidance.

Yes.

Saga are often the most expensive.
Captive audience. Or naive.
Shop around.

It isn’t prohibitive.
I took out a year’s insurance recently to cover France this summer and (optimistically) the odd trip to visit D, SIL and GS in Paris. It was just over £100 for a year. I’m 77.
As others have said, repatriation expenses, ambulance or worse, can come in at thousands . Why skimp and take the risk?

I am still shocked by the death of a 79 year old incredibly fit and healthy friend on the way back from a holiday. Yes, it was flying but even so..... her poor husband had to bring her body back from Finland which was where the plane was diverted. Thank goodness he had travel insurance.

Health care isn’t free in France.

Yes of course you need Travel Insurance!

My friend required a new hip after falling, on holiday abroad.
Her return journey necessitated airline tickets for two medical personnel following her surgery, plus the costs of their time.
Her insurance paid for the whole thing.

You’ll be expected to pay 20-30% of medical costs at least. Prescriptions can be 100% Probably 100% of any dental work.

Most French people take out additional private insurance policies to cover the gap between state provision and actual cost.

Some years ago my Mum, in excellent health in her 70's tripped on a loose paving stone in Cyprus and broke her kneecap. She was in hospital for about 4 days and needed 3 seats to herself on the plane to return home. I can't imagine what that would have cost without travel insurance.

You can't legislate for things you don't know are going to happen!

Lathyrus3

Health care isn’t free in France.

With EHIC you get 70% paid by the state, as we who live in France do. (The 30% comes from our top-up insurance).
I think more may be covered for serious illness or accident.

It wouldn't be a flight home if the OP is crossing to St Malo with their car. I think there is a flight from Rennes, but there are no major airports.

I think the answer has to be yes

Brittany is part of France, not that many Bretons like that fact! So yes, insurance is advisable, the minute you step foot on board Brittany Ferries, a French owned company, you will be treated as a foreigner accessing their health service.
I've take several unfortunate guests to Saint Malo Hospital over the years - broken limbs, cut hands, babies unwell etc - and every time they have asked about insurance beyond the EHIC card. It speeds everything up.
I have a carte vitale in my wallet after many years of working in Brittany and being in the ststem, BUT I still take out UK travel insurance because that is the cover needed.

I hope you have a great trip, the weather needs to pick up a bit because rain is forecast, but I'm hoping for sunshine in 10 days time. If the worst comes to the worst, the Urgences at the hospital in Saint Malo are very good. I don't know about undertakers there thankfully.

Why take the risk for a ha’p orth o’ tar?
You have breakdown insurance for your car, why not yourselves?

Just pointing out that everybody is still referring to the (old) EHIC card but
the UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it

I used the term EHIC card because it was that in the days I accompanied folk to hospital.
I have the up to date GHIC card myself with the big Union Jack on it!! 🇬🇧

I think there is a flight from Rennes, but there are no major airports. I'm guessing a medical flight might use Dinard?

Just checking as OP and others are still using the term

👍 yes, good to keep everyone posted!

RosieandherMaw

Just pointing out that everybody is still referring to the (old) EHIC card but
^the UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it^

Strangely enough those of us who continue to live in France since Brexit under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, are entitled to EHIC. We have just received our new ones.

Well of course - you’re still in the EU