There are always many risks involved with traveling outside your own country and travel insurance Europe is essential, despite the fact that you may think it is not a very "exotic" location. You may always fall ill, suffer an accident, or have a sudden change of plans, no matter where you are in the world. The peace of mind that you purchase with travel insurance for Europe is, in my mind, absolutely priceless. Just think about it: when you are on holidays, you simply want to be able to have a carefree time without needing to worry in the back of your mind. Of course, should anything detrimental actually occur, it may spoil your vacation regardless. However, the degree to which it may affect you will be determined by your travel insurance coverage.
There are many types of coverage for travel insurance to Europe. There is medical coverage for illness and accidents, trip cancellation/interruption coverage for unforeseen circumstances that alter your plans and baggage insurance for your possessions. You must determine what you may require for yourself because the combinations of coverage are many. In general, it is always a good idea to purchase some form of medical insurance, even if it is the most basic coverage. You do not want to have to pay out of pocket for hospital and medical bills if you become sick abroad. If you have chronic conditions or are of a certain age (over 50) then it is smart to purchase further protection with a more comprehensive medical plan.
Trip cancellation/interruption coverage is also pretty standard for travelers. People think that they do not need it, but the twist of irony is that it covers "unforeseen" circumstances. Hence, you are unlikely to predict that you will require this coverage. For example, imagine if a close relative died all of a sudden. If you need to get home, of course you will forfeit the rest of your trip because of family priorities. But, it is best to protect yourself beforehand and to be able to recover your costs later with travel insurance to Europe that has trip cancellation/interruption coverage.
Baggage insurance is an iffy one. The airlines usually cover you for a certain amount, ranging from $600-3000; they are liable to give you some sort of compensation if they lose your bag. That being said, certain travelers carry very expensive items around like top-of-the-line cameras. If this is you, then you need to consider taking out additional travel insurance for Europe to cover your particularly dear luggage. Otherwise, I would not worry excessively about having baggage insurance for Europe.
You must choose your insurance company wisely. With the creation of the Internet, there are further options with travel insurance Europe. However, I would caution you to use your discretion with lesser-known companies. If they were solely available through the Internet, I would disregard them entirely. Go with trusted, better known names of larger insurance companies in order to avoid potential problems in realizing your coverage.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Travel Insurance: Also Get a European Health Insurance Card
Hands up all those who remember the old E111 medical forms you were supposed to have if you travelled in Europe? I can see all those blank faces!
Well, great news is that it doesn't matter any more. The E111 form was replaced at the beginning of January 2006 by a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
This EHIC is valid for up to 5 years and entitles you to the same level of medical care in the country you're travelling in, as would be enjoyed by the residents of that country. The card covers discounted and free medical care including emergency treatment, and applies to all the EEC countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. But be aware that the treatment you're entitled to might not include all the treatments you get free of charge under the National Health Service here in Britain.
Nevertheless, we believe that it's wise to carry a EHIC as it could save you time, money and a great deal of hassle if you're unlucky enough to need medical attention. It can cut through some of the inevitable red tape you'd be faced with if you were relying just on the medical provisions of your travel insurance policy.
You should also be aware that in many areas of Europe, the best medical attention is still reserved for those with private insurance cover. Private insurance bypasses the long queues of local residents waiting patently in inhospitable corridors – after all who wants to spend days of their holiday not only ill, but queuing as well!
Another point is that nationalised health care is only available at nationalised hospitals which, in some countries, are hundreds of miles apart. They tend to be located where the local population work and live - not where you enjoy your holidays! Therefore, you may be a long way from the nearest nationalised hospital whereas private medical and dental clinics are to be found in many tourist areas catering primarily for holidaymakers. Their standard is usually good albeit in local terms, they're expensive.
Whilst we've been discussing medical care, don't forget that private travel insurance covers you for much more than just medical expenses. Most policies will even pay for you to be flown home to the UK if you're really ill. Holiday cancellation (due to prior illness), holiday curtailment, loss of luggage or individual items are all aspects normally covered by the insurance.
To be as safe as possible, we recommend that all travellers get a European Health Insurance Card and comprehensive travel insurance. After all, you've saved up for ages for the holiday and if something goes wrong the last thing you want is to be worried about the financial implications.
As with most insurance, the best travel insurance bargains are to be found on the Internet. Search on your favourite search engine for “travel insurance”. The brokers usually provide the best value for money as they will have access to a wide range of insurance providers and can pick the best for you. You can try the sites run by the individual insurance companies but they'll only offer you one option – their policy! A broker can offer you a range of solutions.
We say, no matter how you arrange it, get travel insurance and get peace of mind.
Information about the European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card is free from any Post Office or by phoning the Department of Health on 0845 606 2030. You can also apply online at the web site run by the Department of Health. The web address is http://www.dh.gov.uk/travellers
Brokers Online provide you with information about Travel Insurance Quotes. They also offer Cheap Life Insurance
European Trip? Be Prepared For Emergencies With Travel Insurance And The EU '112' Emergency Number
Imagine you can still taste the delicious flavors of the dinner that you just enjoyed at a cozy restaurant in the French Alps. Your partner dozes off as you drive along the quiet, dark road back to your hotel in a nearby village. You reflect on how well your European road trip has been going since leaving the UK. The journey through the Channel Tunnel and down to the French Alps was problem-free. Tomorrow your itinerary takes you through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to begin the next leg of your tour - through Italy.
Suddenly disaster strikes! A car is heading toward you at great speed - in the middle of the road. You swerve... After regaining consciousness you discover your partner injured and your car stuck in a ditch. The other vehicle is nowhere to be seen. The road is dark and deserted and the nearest town a few kilometers away. You stagger out of the car, dazed and confused, and come to the realization that you must find your mobile phone and call for help. You call the operator but the person on the other end is speaking French and you can't understand a word or make yourself understood.
Then you remember... Luckily, you had done some research and were aware of the new '112' European-wide emergency number - and that a SIM card is necessary to access the service in most European countries. You programmed 112 into your mobile phone before leaving home. You make the call and the operator - hearing the panic in your voice - quickly switches to speaking English. You can't give your exact position, but in most places caller location can be identified quickly. Help is on the way!
In this situation, would you be thinking clearly enough to remember that in France the numbers to call in an emergency are 15, 17 and 18, and in the UK 999? (Note: the usual emergency numbers for most European countries and territories are still in effect - and work alongside the 112). Any payphone, fixed phone or mobile phone can be used to make a free 112 emergency call. However, in an effort to stop hoax calls, some European countries (including the UK, Belgium and France) block 112 calls from a mobile phone without a SIM card.
The 112 and other emergency numbers are for emergency services only - to summon help from ambulance, fire brigade or police services. We all know (don't we?) that they must never be used for any non-urgent reasons, such as finding a lost contact lens or pet, removing a stubborn cork from a nice bottle of Claret, or summoning a lift home if all the taxi cabs are booked!
When planning a trip, the not-so-fun part involves taking care of necessary details like visas, vaccinations, currency exchange - and choosing the best travel insurance policy to suit your needs. If taking your own car you'll need European breakdown cover and your license, registration and insurance documents. Remember to check that your mobile phone is set for roaming in Europe.
Travel insurance policies come with a number to call for emergency medical assistance. It's unlikely that you will have the policy with you if an emergency situation arises, so keep a note of the number in your wallet or bag and enter it into your mobile phone directory; the same goes for Vehicle Breakdown assistance.
Ensure that each person in your travel party is aware of the 112 emergency number. In the scenario above, the details of your travel insurance or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) would have been requested upon arrival at the hospital. You would also need to call the emergency assistance number associated with your Vehicle Breakdown cover.
Pass the word along to family, friends, colleagues, and backpackers heading for Europe. It's simply not worth cutting corners by neglecting to take out travel insurance or breakdown cover. Chances are that you will never need any of those emergency numbers, but considering the recorded 100 million emergency calls in Europe each year, isn't it better to be prepared? Those three little numbers '112' are a lifeline - an SOS - and they DO save lives!
Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd who offer great deals on UK Travel Insurance and Travel Insurance for residents of Eire.
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