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

I m another in the YES camp when I go over to Ireland to visit one daughter I always take out insurance

Definitely yes. GHIC does not cover repatriation. Some countries do not have free health care so there can be "top up" costs. Wouldn't think of going anywhere outside UK without travel insurance.

Yes, you really really do need insurance.

Two friends (unrelated) had an illness and a bad accident abroad that required hospital stay until fit to be transported home.. That's when the big expenses set in. Due to their conditions no commercial passenger airline would transport them . Don't assume that because you have a car, a sick or injured passenger will be able to travel back to UK by road, allowed on a ferry etc.

They had to use professional medical private jet services and one of them had to be accompanied on the plane by a privately hired doctor and nurse (also paid for by insurance)

I am delighted to hear you have decided to take out insurance.

Hopefully, you will never need it, but one never knows what is around the corner.

Sorry, your last post wasn't there when I posted

Bonnes vacances BluebellGran.
Are you on the new Saint Malo ship? I can recommend the CCClub lounge restaurant on board.

We've just booked insurance for two people 60+, one with cancer from Vibe Insurance for £162 for two weeks in Jersey. Doesn't seem extortionate, but then guess it may be different for older age and different medical conditions. And as we haven't claimed from them I don't know how good they are at paying out. Might be worth a look to get a quote, you don't have to buy it.

Thank you all. I’ve bitten the bullet and taken out insurance!

RosieandherMaw

Well of course - you’re still in the EU

With UK issued EHIC.

I had food poisoning in France and because we called a doctor before we rang the insurance company they wouldn't pay out. We used our EHIC card to make a claim and it took over twelve months to be reimbursed!

The above is a good guide to what a GHIC covers and why you need travel insurance too.

www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance/guide/ghic/

Well of course - you’re still in the EU

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.

👍 yes, good to keep everyone posted!

Just checking as OP and others are still using the term

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

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!! 🇬🇧

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

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

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.

I think the answer has to be yes

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.

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!

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.