travel insurance E111 EHIC??

[loukr]

I'm going to portugal for 2 weeks on saturday and have travel insurance.

I have since found out that the E111 is no longer valid and you need to get an EHIC, which takes 21days to come through..

If I have travel insurance do I need the EHIC too? x

[mushroom25]

depends on your insurer. some policies make possession of EHIC a condition of insurance, since it would reduce the amount of liability on them if you play your EHIC card. you need to check with your broker.

[loukr]

Thanks Mushroom! I'll contact them straight away! x

[sense4all]

You can apply over the internet, the address is on the form in the post office, we did it a month ago and they ( the little plastic credit card thingy ) arrived for all of us three days later. It was brill.

[loukr]

Wish I'd looked into it before, I've only just been told! thanks though. I'm tempted to apply anyway just so I have the card! hehe. thanks xx

[Buenchico]

Even if you've got travel insurance, there's a good reason to have the EHIC as well.

If you have an accident while abroad, the hospital will treat you and then present you with a bill, which you must pay before leaving the hospital. If you've got an EHIC then there's no problem because your card details will be recorded and the bill will be cancelled. If you've not got an EHIC, you'll have to pay the bill (which might be quite large) and try to claim the money back from your insurer when you return to the UK. (As has been stated, many insurers insist that you carry an EHIC. Quite reasonably, they don't see why they should pay out for treatment which you could have received for free).

One last point: Once you've got an EHIC, remember to carry it with you. It will be of no use at all if you're taken to hospital, after an accident in the street, and your card is still in your hotel room. (You must present the card as soon as you're given a bill. You can't use it to get a refund later).

Chris

[hugnie21]

When you order the card online or by phone they give you a reference number. Keep this number handy and you're covered, even if you haven't yet received the card. That's what I was told when I ordered mine 2 days before I went away!

[Liza B]

I asked at my post office about it and was told if I had an E111 card it is the same and I do not have to apply for the new one.

Hope thats right