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

Apologies if this has already been said, but the more at risk you are, the higher the premium. So the fact that it's expensive tells you that you are more at risk than someone for whom it's cheaper

Once you take out travel insurance make sure you pass the information on to your next of kin/ children. Friend’s son was killed in Spain and they paid to have his body repatriated. Turns out that he had travel insurance but they were unaware and the company wouldn’t reimburse them.

PS watch out OP, the sea swell is large at the moment. Hope you're not in for a choppy ride. I'm packing the Kwells. ⛴️ 🌊

Sorry to hear that, Iam64. I wish you a speedy recovery. 💐

Following this discussion, I'm adding a sentence to our Ts & Cs. We advise visitors to take out insurance for travel delays, lost property, damages etc, but it's a good idea to also mention medical treatment while abroad.
It's up to them to take notice.

I was blue lighted into hospital from our holiday accommodation here in England this weekend, query stroke. I was admitted snd had a battery of investigations including scans, rays, blood tests, two hour obvservations and more. Thankfully not a stroke, a significant viral infection. Luckily family were with me and one daughter drove me and my car home (3 hour drive )
Imagine if this had happened in Brittany or any other part of the world. Im at home, totally wiped out, not fit to do anything. I certainly couldn’t get myself on a plane.
The NHS was just brilliant at all stages over twenty four hours, the cost financial cost will have been huge. I can’t imagine having to pay for my hospital stay and somehow get myself home when I can scarcely totter

Don't think because you are healthy you won't be taken ill while on holiday.
My husband was only 63 when he was taken ill while we were in Canada some year ago. He was treated first at the local hospital then air lifted to a major hospital in a city. Later he was flown back in a light aircraft.
The bill for all this was enormous.
Thankfully we were insured.

I ended up in a hospital in Russia - the care was good but conditions (it was a huge teaching hospital) were horrific. Patients had to provide their own food and plates, cutlery etc. As a visitor these were supplied. I dread to think what the costs would have been had I not been insured!!

I cannot understand why anyone would go abroad without insurance. It doesn't matter how old or healthy you are anything can happen. I speak from experience as my husband collapsed and died at the airport in Crete. One of the first things the rep said when she was brought to see me was 'Please tell me you have insurance' It's 18 years ago now but I still remember the look of relief when I said 'yes' . I was told it would have been at least £10,000 to cover all the costs involved without insurance.

9pm, I just went into the garden, it's dark now. I went to go up one step and something caught my foot, so frightening, I only just managed not to fall, but if I had I can't imagine how badly I might have been hurt. Luckily just shaken up, old or young, accidents happen!

Yes, you definitely need comprehensive travel insurance! The EHIC / GHIC card only gives you minor health treatment at state hospitals. We always take out full comprehensive travel insurance that covers hospital stays and repatriation to the UK.
Please take out fully comprehensive travel insurance today so you are fully protected

Holiday insurance covers cancellations from the moment you take it out, so do it now.
It covers getting your vehicle home, hotel for you if DH is ill. Lost luggage, stolen money, fire and flood

ELHIC just covers public facility medical bills.

Avanti are the ones who advertise for older folks; we use Staysure and fond them quite reasonable

Meddijess I wouldn’t be bragging about that it s really a bad idea to travel without insurance and really quite selfish and thoughtless if anything had happened to you it costs thousands to get a body home
I wouldn’t dream of travelling without insurance nor do my kids or grandkids we all stick to the rules for our own sake
There’s been many cases of people being stuck in countries in their hospitals having to set up ‘go fund me’ to try and get enough money for hospital bills and home travel

I’m 74 now - my annual multi-trip travel insurance (only Europe) was £112 for 24/25. The renewal quote for 25/26 came with a loyalty discount and I paid £88 - Virgin.
When I went to New York last month, I just took out a single trip insurance, again with Virgin at under £150.

Dowsabella

Just keep an eye open for information about the new EES system which is coming this October: travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/what-is-the-ees##
And also ETIAS which starts late 2026: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/ltr/how-to-apply/what-you-need-to-apply##
My understanding is that you need to prove you have travel insurance as part of these. However, everything may change!!

By the way, RosieandherMaw Where did you find such cheap travel insurance? I'm your age, and can only get insurance per trip!

Good reminder.
My understanding is that you need to prove you have travel insurance as part of these. However, everything may change!!
I seem to remember reading - somewhere - that this won't apply to UK travellers because we have a reciprocal agreement. But don't ask me to quote. I'm off to Amsterdam at the beginning of November, so will be interested to see how it works.

It was Staysure Travel Insurance

Just keep an eye open for information about the new EES system which is coming this October: travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/what-is-the-ees##
And also ETIAS which starts late 2026: travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/ltr/how-to-apply/what-you-need-to-apply##
My understanding is that you need to prove you have travel insurance as part of these. However, everything may change!!

By the way, RosieandherMaw Where did you find such cheap travel insurance? I'm your age, and can only get insurance per trip!

Crossstitchfan

meddijess

We have just returned from a fortnight's holiday in rural Normandy. We are 80 and 79. We both have EHIC cards, and didn't bother with travel insurance as it is just too expensive - we'd rather spend that money on some lovely French lunches!

Hmmmmm. On your heads be it!

It is actually extremely selfish not to take out insurance. Think of your poor family who would have to sort out the mess if you both had an accident. The costs would go against your estate for sure leaving nothing to your family if that was intended although it sounds like you are more keen to spend it all on French lunches!!!!

meddijess

We have just returned from a fortnight's holiday in rural Normandy. We are 80 and 79. We both have EHIC cards, and didn't bother with travel insurance as it is just too expensive - we'd rather spend that money on some lovely French lunches!

Hmmmmm. On your heads be it!

Nurseundercover

I totally agree travel insurance is essential. On the back of that can anyone suggest an all round good travel insurance company please. The last time I was abroad was 25 years ago so trying to ensure all is covered. Going to kefalonia for 50th wedding anniversary. Any travel related advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kefalonia is wonderful; I go nearly every year. I have had a Coverwise annual policy for years and was very happy with them, but I had to increase my cancellation cover this year to cover big trips and found that an RAC annual policy was better. Plus purchased through TopCashback and got about £30 cash back.

Surely the often repeated of difficulties people encounter when they do not have travel insurance, should be warning enough that it is essential. Personally I think this should be a definite requirement by law, when booking flights, holidays etc, especially in ALL Countries, then perhaps our NHS would not be paying for overseas freeloaders.

The EHIC means you are treated as if you are French, which means the care is not free. And as others have pointed out repatriation is very expensive either alive or dead!

GrammarGrandma

EHIC is no longer valid since Brexit. You need a GHIC card.

EHICs are valid until their expiry date, then you renew and get a GHIC.

Of course you do; the EHIC (or the new version) will just cover emergency care. I pay less than £100 for annual cover - worldwide ex USA - I want to know that if I need medivaccing home dead or alive the insurance company will pay. And make sure you disclose everything.

EHIC is no longer valid since Brexit. You need a GHIC card.

I totally agree travel insurance is essential. On the back of that can anyone suggest an all round good travel insurance company please. The last time I was abroad was 25 years ago so trying to ensure all is covered. Going to kefalonia for 50th wedding anniversary. Any travel related advice would be greatly appreciated.